A GENEALOGICAL MISCELLANY III,
MADISON COUNTY, TENNESSEE
By Jonathan K. T. Smith
Copyright, Jonathan K. T. Smith, 1996

(Page 88)

SANDERS NOTE

JACKSON GAZETTE, February 18, 1826

HORRID MURDER.         Died — At his residence in this county, on Thursday morning the 16th inst., Mr. FRANCIS SANDERS, aged about 30 years, of wounds received by the hands of an assassin, on Thursday evening preceding. The circumstances are concisely these:         On Wednesday evening the 6th inst. whilst engaged in looking over his farm, he was shot at by some villian in covert. Fortunately at this time he received no injury. Who it could be, or what extraordinary motive the assassin could be actuated by, it was impossible to conjecture. On the evening following, about dusk, he was returning to his house from a place of new ground, where he had been superintending his negroes, he suddenly received a blow on his head, without knowing at the time from whence it came, on his head, which instantly brought him senseless to the ground. A repetition of blows appears to have succeded the one which brought him down; in this situation he was found shortly after, and brought to his house, where he languished until last Thursday morning about 5 o'clock, when he died, having previously recovered his senses. The villian who committed the attrocious act and whose name is _____ Jamison, has confessed his crime and is now in close confinement in Jackson jail, together with a negro fellow belonging to Mr. Sanders, who has also made a full confession. The wretiches can scarcely assign a motive for their conduct. Jamison is a young man of about 21 or 22 years of age and resided with his father on the land of Mr. Saunders.         The deceased emigrated to this section of the country from Davidson County, Stones river, where he had resided many years commanding esteem of all who knew him. he was a man of unblemished reputation, correct habits, strict probity, mild deportment, and a benevolent disposition; in short, all the cardinal virtues were centered in his bosom. If such a man at home almost in the bosom of his family could not feel safe from outrage, how precarious is all human security. He met his fate with christian resignation. Society has lost one of its most valuable members, the church a devoted christian, and the order of masons a beloved brother. Whilst his family are left to deplore the privation of a tender husband and an affectionate parent. A jury of inquest has been held over his body and his deathproceded by an act of willful murder, agreeably to the foregoing statement of facie.         On Friday evening his remains were interred with great solemnity by the Free Masons of Jackson Lodge.

 

JACKSON GAZETTE, March 14, 1829:

Valuable Farm FOR SALE By virtue of a decree of the Circuit Court of Madison County, the undersigned trustees, appointed by the said Court are authorized to sell and convey 640 acres of LAND in mid county of Madison, being the late residence of Frances Saunders, deceased, about five miles North-East of Jackson, near the Nashville via Huntingdon road. Upon this land is a comfortable hewed double log dwelling house and necessary out houses, and about 100 acres cleared and under fence. We will receive private propositions for the purchase of the aforesaid land in parcels or entire, until the first Saturday in July next; and if not previously sold, will be offered on the public square in the town of Jackson to the highest bidder, in parcels or entire, a plat will be exhibited on the day of sale. Negroes will be received in part payment, and the balance upon a credit of one, two, and three years, with interest. Bond with appropriate security will be required, and a lien on the land, if thought advisable by us.

March 7

ALETHEA SANDERS, THOS. F. SANDERS, ROBT. H. LAKE, Trustees

 

This estate and housing considered one of the more substantial among the early settlers. Deeds reveal it was centered about where Interstate 40 and U.S. Highway 70 join today.

 

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