Thomas Sanders

Thomas Sanders (1838-1914) of Stoke-Upon-Trent,

Staffordshire, England

and of

Ohio County, Kentucky

(Brother of Charles, George, and John Sanders)

Photo received from Virginia Beth (Howard) Hudgins

Hartford, KY in 2010

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Notes on Life of Thomas Sanders

Thomas Sanders was the fourth son of John Sanders, Sr. and his wife, Sarah (Smith), who raised a family of nine respectable children.  Tom was born at Penkhull, a village and township within  the district of Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, England. 

John and Sarah Sanders were found in the 1841, 1851, and 1861 census records of Staffordshire.  In 1851 census, Thomas, age 12, was listed as a scholar.  In 1861, Thomas was listed in the census as age 22 and unmarried.  His occupation was "Tailor” (journeyman) "born Penkhull.”

On November 12, 1863, he married Charlotte Beardmore in England.  The marriage  record was solemnized at Parish Church in the Parish of St. George, Newcastle-Under-Lyme, in the County of Stafford.  Page: 109, Entry No. 217:   Ref No. C21/3/217.  

"Thomas Sanders. 23. Bachelor.  Tailor.  Residence at the time of Marriage: Boundary Street.  Father, John Sanders.  Tailor."

"Charlotte Beardmore. 18. Spinster.  Residence at the time of Marriage: Castle Street.  Father, William Beardmore, Tailor.” 

After Banns.  Wm. Callis, Curate.  Both signed their own names.  Witnesses: William Beardmore and Louisa Chell.  Both signed their own names."  Louisa Chell was the sister of Thomas; William Beardmore was the brother of Charlotte.

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Tom first came to America in 1856.  He later returned to England where he married Charlotte Beardmore.  It was reported by family members that he brought his wife, Charlotte, and their first child, a daughter about three years old, back to America.  This was Tom’s second trip to America, according to family tradition.   Thomas left England from Liverpool to New York –

ten weeks by sail.

In the 1870 census Vanderburgh County, Indiana,  Thomas Sanders was listed as age 30, a peddler, born England, with his wife, Charlotte, 22, born England, and a son, William 3, born England.  The immigration year was given as 1856 for Tom and Charlotte (Beardmore) Sanders on the 1910 census record.

In 1880, Thomas Sanders, 41, was enumerated in the Ohio County, Kentucky census, and was listed as a farmer.  Charlotte was shown as 37, with children William T. age 12, Mary A. age 7 and Fedella, age 3.  By that time, his brother, Charles Sanders, was already living in Ohio County.  Another place that Thomas lived at one time was Friedaland, Ohio County, Kentucky.

In the 1900 census, the Thomas Sanders family was living in Horse Branch, Ohio Co. Tom was age 62 and gave his birthdate as July 1838; Charlotte was 63, and said they had been married 34 years.  Charlotte also said she was born in Ireland, as were both her parents.  She also reported that they got married in 1866 – which is wrong by three years since they got married in November 1863.  Living in the home were three daughters, Lula 27, Hattie 17, and Laura A. Sanders, 17.  Also, William Ford, a boarder, who did farm labor, probably worked for Tom who did general farming.

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From the Hartford Herald - issue of July 8, 1908, image 7 - FRIEDALAND:

"Uncle Tom Sanders was 70 years old last Saturday.  His children gave him a nice

 dinner.  All his children and all his grandchildren except one who lives in Oklahoma.

There was a large crowd of his neighbors and friends present and there was plenty of

 everything good to eat and lots left.   All had an enjoyable day." 

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Ten years later in April 1910 when the census was taken, it appears the family moved from Horse Branch and were living in Olaton.  Tom’s age was given as 71; and Charlotte’s age as 68.  Lula was the only child left living at home – she was 29.  

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In 1914, January 28 – Thomas died.  His will is recorded in Book E, Page 41, dated March 2, 1909, recorded March 2, 1914.

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Obituary - quoted from the Hartford Herald, p. 5, column 4, Wed. 4 Feb 1914:

Esq. Thomas Sanders Dead

   "Mr. Thomas Sanders, aged 75, died last Wednesday at his residence near Olaton, this county, after a brief illness of pneumonia.  His remains were interred in the Cane Run church burying grounds Thursday.

   "Mr. Sanders was elected and served as Justice of the Peace of his district from January 1, 1914 to January 1, 1919.  He is survived by his widow, one son and four daughters."

Another write-up in the Hartford Herald, issue of Feb. 11, 1914, pg. 4, column 4, said:

                           

Was Born in England, Died in Ohio County

            "Mr. T. H. Sanders, deceased, was born in the town of Stoke, Staffordshire county, England, July 6, 1838.  He came to the United States when quite a young man and returned to England about two years later and married.  He then came to Friedaland, this county, where his wife and five children, who are all married, survive him.

He was born and raised a Catholic, but as there was no Catholic church near his home, he joined the Methodist church at Salem several years ago.

 "Uncle Tommy," as he was generally known, was an honest and upright man.  He realized from the beginning of his illness, which only lasted about four days, that his time on earth was short and he talked beautifully of his going away.  He said, "I have lived out my usefulness and am ready to meet my Master." 

He was laid to rest in Cane Run cemetery, January 28, 1914.

            “The pall-bearers were: W. P. Miller, C. C. Christian, C. D. Bean, W. T. Jamison, L. S. Hoover, Wesley Raley, all of whom were past seventy years of age." 

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A third obituary in The Hartford Republican , dated Friday, January 30, 1914, had a bit of additional information: 

"Esquire Thomas Sanders Dead."

        "Thomas Sanders, for four years a member of the Ohio County Fiscal Court, died at

        his home near Cane Run church, 3 miles from Olaton, Wednesday evening at 7 o'clock.

        He had been ill only a few days with pneumonia when the end came.  He was buried

        yesterday at Cane Run burying ground in the presence of a large number of friends.

       Esquire Sander's term as a magistrate in Sulphur Springs district ended with the year

      1913.  He was a good citizen and will be greatly missed in the community."

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Death Certificate

Charlotte Sanders:  Mention was made in the Hartford Herald newspaper, Wed. 1 April 1914, pg. 4, that:

        "Mrs. Sanders of the late Esq. Thomas Sanders, has appendicitis and is expected to live but a short time." 

However, Charlotte did live a little more than one-and one-half years after her husband's death.  She died June 2, 1915 and was laid to rest beside her husband at the Cane Run Baptist Church Cemetery, Friedaland, Ohio Co., KY. The known children of Thomas and Charlotte (Beardmore) Sanders were:

            William Thomas Sanders        b 4-24-1867 md. (1)  Alberta “Birdie” Hoover, Oct 9, 1891

                                                                                 md. (2)  Ida Beulah Miller, Mar 18, 1900           

            Mary Agnes Sanders               b 7-19-1872  md. Joseph Elmer Miller, Dec 31, 1890

            Fidelia “Della” Sanders          b Abt 1875    md. Robert T. Miller, Jan 8, 1896

            Louise Sanders                        b 1880           Died young.

            Hattie Sanders                         b 3-8-1883     md. George Cooper, Dec 24, 1904

            Laura                                       b 6-4-1885     md. Nathaniel G. Boswell, Mar 7, 1903

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In 1974 all of Tom’s children had died except Laura (Sanders) Boswell, who lived in Horse Branch, Ohio Co. Kentucky.   She celebrated her 101^st birthday and there is a newspaper clipping of this celebration.  Laura was the proud grandmother of eleven grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.  She was a post mistress for ten years at Horse Branch. She later died in a nursing home.

Submitted by Janice Cox Brown