WHB: Justin Sanders selected these land transactions as relevant to a Saunders family history:
1646
20 Jun 1646 – Joseph Croshawe, Charles River Co.,[1] 700 acres “Beg. at the Mill Sw., near lands of Richard Major & John Davis,” for the importation of 14 persons . . . Thomas Sanders. Source: Cavaliers and Pioneers, Vol. 1, pp. 166-167. (PB2:88)[2]
[1] Charles River Co. renamed New Kent Co. in 1644. Date of actual voyage may have preceded name change. Thomas Sanders, d. 1653, merchant of Vintners Company of London.
[2] Virginia Patent Book reference number.
1653
27 April 1653 – Capt. Robert Abrahall, Gloucester County[3], 400 acres SE side of Mattaponi River, 9 miles up the same, for transporting 9 persons . . . “Cor. Sanders.” (Cornelius?) Source: Cavaliers & Pioneers, Vol. 1, p. 242. (PB3:20)
[3] Gloucester Co. formed 1651. Sanders’ property is referenced in Gloucester and New Kent (1654); property appears to have been on dividing line.
1654
27 May 1654 – Tobey West, grantee; Land grant, Gloucester County. Description: 500 acres on the north east side of Mattaponi River and ___ north side of Thomas Sanders’ land. Source: Land Office Patents No. 3, 1652-1655, p. 10, Reel 2 (Library of Virginia). Cavaliers & Pioneers, Vol. 1, p. 232. (PB3:10).
1655
6 June 1655 – John Hodson, grantee; Land grant, New Kent County[4]. Description: 300 acres on the north east of Mattaponi River. Beg. &c. on the southernmost corner of Thomas Saunders’ land with a So. So. Et. line unto Arakeyaco creek.[5] Source: Land Office Patents No. 3, 1652-1655, p. 355, Reel 2 (Library of Virginia). Cavaliers & Pioneers, Vol. 1, p. 310; (PB3:355).
[4] New Kent Co., formed 1654.
[5] Present day Burnt Mill Creek.
1658
9 June 1658 – Nathaniel Bacon,[6] grantee; Land grant, New Kent County. Description: 300 acres on the North East side of Mattaponi River Beg. &c. on the Southernmost corner of Thomas Sanders’ land, with a S. S. East line unto Arrakioco swamp. Source: Land Office Patents No. 4, 1655-1664, p. 335, Reel 4 (Library of Virginia). [Same land as Hodson’s 1655 patent?] Cavaliers & Pioneers, Vol. 1, 381.(PB4:237)
[6] Uncle of rebel of the same name. Nathaniel Bacon, the rebel leader, lived somewhere in the vicinity and recruited most of his initial army in New Kent. John Sanders was known as a “notorious actor” in Bacon’s Rebellion.
5 Sep 1658 – James Sanders transported to, New Kent County by John Pigge, 700 acres on N side of Mattaponi River on branches of Winkepin Swamp, Ralph Leftwich’s line. Source: Cavaliers & Pioneers, Vol. 1, p. 370 (PB4:187).
1659
8 June 1659 – Major Joseph Croshaw, grantee; Land grant, New Kent County. Description: 500 acres on the north east side of Mattapony River, and on the north side of Thomas Sanders’s land. Source: Land Office Patents No. 4, 1655-1664, p. 226, Reel 4 (Library of Virginia).; Cavaliers & Pioneers, Vol. 1, p. 361. (PB4:155)