Mary Ann (Smith) Saunders (1781 - 1857)

Born 26 Apr 1781 in Augusta, Virginia, United States

Ancestors

Wife of Samuel Donelson — married 20 Jun 1796 (to 1804) in Tennessee

Wife of James Saunders — married 28 Feb 1806 in Saundersville, Sumner County, Tennessee

Descendants

Died 29 Dec 1857 at age 76 in Sumner, Tennessee, United States

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Biography

From that of her husband Samuel Donelson - " ... eloping with Mary Polly Smith, the only daughter of General Daniel Smith, in 1797." After Donelson's death ca. 1804, his sons went to live at the Hermitage with Andrew and Rachel Jackson. Mary Polly Donelson remarried six years later, to Colonel James Saunders, a wealthy planter.

Daughter of General Daniel Smith. First married to Samuel Donelson, then to James Sanders. This is from a grave stone which appears not to be as old as 1857, more recently made, which makes it possible that "Saunders" could be the correct spelling.

Mary's last will was witnessed 28 Nov 1857 in Sumner Co., Tennessee and proven January term 1858 ^[1]. Abstract:

Sanders, Mary, 28 Nov 1857; Jan 1858 - Daughter Alethea, granddaughter Rachel J. Donelson, friend Rebecca Holloway, seven grandchildren Mary Ann Gentry, Emily Gentry, Mary Cahal, Emily Cahal, James Cahal, Terry Cahal and Ann D. Cahal. 580 acres in Dist. 7 from my father's will deeded to son Daniel in 1856 to be secure from my heirs and my dec'd. husband James Sanders. Ex: Son Daniel S. Donelson. Wt: Carothers, Robert L.; Donelson, A. J.; Cole, C. G.

The particular friend Rebecca Holloway named in her last will has been identified as Rebecca B Holloway (abt.1825-1874) who was enumerated in Mary's household in 1850 at age 25 ^[2]. No relationship between the two families has been identified to date.

Research Notes

There is a misspelling of the family name in Findagrave or in this profile most likely incorrect in findagrave: Find A Grave: Memorial #6624132

Sources

1. ↑ Sumner County Tennessee, Will Books, Vol. III, p. 267; Jan 1858, last will of Mary Sanders/Saunders proven.
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1850", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC6S-M42 : Thu Oct 05 06:03:15 UTC 2023), Entry for Mary Sanders and Rebecca Holoway, 1850.

See also:

• http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entry.php?rec=391
• Find A Grave: Memorial #6624132
• Rootsweb Archived Thread: "Edward Saunders & Mary Browne of Virginia", by Richard J. Saunders
• FamilySearch Person: LD3S-ZKC