W14: David Sanders(1791-1863)

David Sanders(1791-1863)(W14)

Birth: February 9th, 1791 in New Ipswich, NH


Father: Joseph Sanders(1764-1829)(W27)

Mother: Elizabeth Hall(1764-1836)(w28)


Married: Amy Wheeler(1793-1874) (W15) on October 14th, 1812 in Mason, NH


Children:


Death: June 1st, 1863 in Whately, MA

Quick note to begin with, David's last name is listed as Sanders, Saunders and Sanderson in various documents.  I have gone with the Sanders version, since that is how he listed himself in his will.

David Sanders was born on February 9th, 1791 in New Ipswich, NH to Joseph Sanders and Elizabeth Hall.  He married Amy Wheeler on October 14th in Mason, NH.  Various document list the marriage year between 1811 and 1814. Given that their first child was born in April of 1814, I have chosen to set the date as October 14th, 1812. 

Their first child, William was born on April 15th, 1814.  The family moved to Whately, MA at some point between their marriage and the birth of their second son, Albert David on September 15th, 1816.  William passed away on January 18th, 1819 at age 4.

The 1820 Census has the family living in Whately, MA on August 7th, 1820.  The table below shows the information in the census and ties to individual members of the family.

Their first daughter, Lucy S. Sanders was born in Whately, MA on July 1st, 1821 and their last child, Sarah Wheeler Sanders was born on April 6th, 1823 in Whately, MA.  The 1830 and 1840 census shows the makeup of the family while they were living in Whately, MA.  David joined the 2nd Curch in Whately on June 10th, 1836 and became a Deacon on May 12th, 1836.  He was excused from his role as Deacon on February 12th, 1843.

David operated a lumber mill and I have the account books for the business from 1846 into the 1850s. Someday I hope to transcribe them as they reference other members of the family and may also be of interest for general Whately history.  The 1850 U.S. Census shows David, age 59, living in Whately with his wife Amy (57) and daughter Lucy(29).  His Real Estate is valued at $3,000.  The Non Population census gives the following information:

David Sanders Mill Records Books

David Sanders Mill Records Books

Sander's Gravesite

Sander's Gravesite

The 1855 Massachusetts State Census shows David (64) living with Amy(62), his daughter Lucy(34), his daughter Sarah (32) and son-in-law Benjamin F. Reed (36) and their two children Jane C. Reed(9) and Albert D. Reed(2).  David is listed as being a Millwright and Benjamin F. Reed as working on the railroad.  The 1860 U.S. Census lists David (69) as being a farmer with his Real Estate being valued at $5000 and personal estate at $500.  He is living with his wife Amy (67), daughter Lucy, daughter Sarah, son-in-law Benjamin Franklin Reed (40) and their 2 children Jane C. Reed (14) and Albert D. Reed (7).  There is also a 22 year old woman name Sarah Barrett living with them.  At first I suspected she was a servant, but she is shown as being from England and owning $200 in Real Estate and $200 in personal estate.  I now suspect she is a boarder or a missionary.  Benjamin Franklin Reed is listed as being a Sash and Blind Maker.

David died on June 1st, 1863 of consumption.  He is listed as being a Millwright.  The place of interment location is difficult to read on the record and is either Williamsburg or West Whately.  I have not been able to find a grave listed on Find a grave, but I suspect David is buried in the Sanders family plot in the High Street Cemetery in Haydenville, MA.

His Will

Here is a transcription of the Will of  David Sanders


Know all men of these presents that I David Sanders of Whately county of Franklin and commonwealth of Massachusetts, being of sound and dispensing mind, and memory so make this last will and testament.


First I commit my soul to God who gave it, and my body to the earth from whence it came, trusting that through the atonement of Christ it will be raised glorified at the general resurrection.


My worldly substance with which it has been pleased by kind Providence to entrust me, I dispose of in the following manner.


In the first place it is my will that out of my estate my just debts and funeral charges shall be paid by my executor.


Secondly into my two children Lucy S. Sanderson + Sarah W. Reed I give and bequeath the sum of one hundred dollars each.


Thirdly, unto my beloved wife Amy W. Reed I give and bequeath all the residue of my estate, weather now acquired hereafter to be acquired, whether real, personal or mixed.


Fourthly, in case my wife Amy W. Sanders shall not dispose of the estate bequeathed to her by this instrument either in her lifetime or by last will and testament, then I give and bequeath to my two children Lucy S. Sanderson + Sarah W. Reed all my household furniture, carriage and carriage harness. To be equally divided between them, then to the American home Missionary Society and unto the American Rifle Society and unto the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions I give and bequeath such remaining portion of said estate to be equally divided between them, share and share.


Lastly I nominate and appoint John White of said Whately to be the executor of this my last will and testament.


In testimony where I have here unto set my hand and seal this third day of January eighteen hundred sixty three


David Sanders


Signed, sealed, published and declared by said David Sanders to be his last will and testament in presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have set our names here unto as witnesses


Lyman P. Dickinson

Asahel W. Sanderson

Jane C. Reed

Branch

Sources