William Saunders, born 1815 & Louisa, nee Lacey

William Saunders

Research by Dennis Claydon and Joan West

A Significant Family

William and Louisa were to have a significant effect in the local area. They were both from large, local, hard working, families, many of whom preferred to work for themselves rather than for others. They reared 11 children out of 12 born, their children also marrying into other similar local families. (Put entrepreneurs into Search for similar people.)

It had been said that they married at West Wycombe but this was not so. They married locally (by chance another Louisa Lacey married another William Saunders at West Wycombe on the same Day)

William Saunders, born 1815 was the son of John Saunders & Sarah, nee Tyler.

Louisa Lacey born 1822 in Loosley Row, was the daughter of Absalom & Harriot Lacey.

William and Louisa married in 1839.

William and Louisa had 12 children(1 died as a baby) the 11 were as follows :-

Ellen Saunders born 1841 married Benjamin Eggleton in1863. They had 2 children, William born 1866 and Emma born 1870. Benjamin died in 1870 aged 30. Ellen remarried the same year to Frederick Roberts the innkeeper of the Red Lion at Bradenham. She had four more children with him.

Emma Saunders born 1843 married 1863 John Seaward, undertaker, died 1924 at Crouch End

George Saunders born 1845 married 1872, Sarah Ginger of Lacey Green, daughter of John & Celia Ginger. See George & Sarah Saunders for their life story

Benjamin Saunders born 1847 married Jane Ginger in 1872. click Benjamin & Jane Saunders for their life story.

William Saunders born 1851 married 1877 Bethia Janes. See William Saunders & Bethia Janes

Ruth Saunders born 1853 married William Anderson in 1884. See William & Ruth Anderson.

Jabez Saunders born 1855 married Susan Hickman in 1874. See Jabez & Susan Saunders for their life story.

John Saunders born 1857 married 1878, Corah Ginger. See John & Corah Saunders.

Thomas Saunders was baptised in1860. No further sure information. A Thomas Saunders died in 1863 - ?

Albert Saunders born 1862 married Sarah Montague in 1886. See Albert & Sarah Saunders.

Mary Ann Saunders born 1864 married Arthur Archibald Tilbury in 1885. They lived at Jubilee Cottage in Naphill. Arthur was a chairmaker. They had 7 children, Nell, Florence, Ellen, Alfred, born in 1895 was killed in WW1, Albert, Reginald and Archie.

Note. The 3 Ginger girls, Sarah, Jane and Corah were sisters

Note. Suicide was not unusual in these years. Many were committed in older age. Perhaps relieving the family of becoming a burden ?

1841 Census Bottom Field. William Saunders 25, agricultural labourer, Louisa Lacey 19.

1851 Census Saunderton Lea. William Saunders 37 publican at the Rose and Crown, farmer of Pound Farm Saunderton Lea. 33 acres employing 3 labourers. Louisa 29.

1861 Census Saunderton Lea. Rose and Crown public house. William and Louisa . William 56 Timber dealer. Louisa 40.

Death of Louisa

Louisa died in 1870, aged 49. At some point, it was said, she had had an accident with a trap, but it is not known if this was part cause of her early death. She had given birth to 12 children, in 23 years, one had died as a baby. She is buried at Princes Risborough Baptist Church.

1871 Census. Tenant at Speen Farm. William 56 widower, farmer, sons George, Benjamin and William working on the farm. Speen Farm later became the Horses Trust's "Home of Rest for Horses". For more click Home of Rest for Horses

1881 Census Speen Farm. William 65.farmer, son Benjamin, 33 farmer. 3 labourers.

Death of William. William Died 1889, aged 74. Buried at P.R Baptist church. Probate. William Saunders of Speen Farm died 4th November 1889. Executors, George Saunders of North Dean and Benjamin Saunders of Speen Farm, sons, £ 895-10s