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George Saunders' baptism, he founded (sic) the Charles Steatham family tree...	George Saunders Some years ago I found a group of Steathams that could not be linked to Robert Steatham (1775-1827). This Steatham tree starts with Charles Steatham. Charles Steatham was born illegitimate to a Mary Steatham, who later married a widower George Saunders. It is believed that George was the father of Charles Steatham. I have been contacted by Doug Saunders who is a direct descendent of George Saunders. I am grateful to Doug for all the information he has provided on the Saunders family tree, this has enabled me to create this page. There is further research to be undertaken to explore this area of the Steatham Family Tree. George Saunders (1829-). This research is broken down into Five sections; Quick Overview. Detailed Research (Georges' origins and Children). Census findings. Discussion. Research - Additional Planned.
	Quick Overview George Saunders baptised on Sunday the 14th June 1829, at St Mary and St Bartholomew, Hampton in Arden. George Saunders was one of five children born to James Saunders and Mary Green. James Saunders was one of nine children born to Samuel Saunders and Mary Whitmore. Samuel Saunders was baptised in 1755 in Bickenhill, the son of a Thomas Saunders. George Saunders had at least 3 children by his first wife [name unknown at this point; been searched for] , and 8 by his second wife Mary Steatham. Detailed Research
Samuel Saunders' baptism.	The story begins with the baptism of Samuel Saunders on Wednesday the 7th June 1775 at St Peter, Bickenhill, to a Thomas Saunders.
The church of St. Peter	The church of St. Peter dates from the 12th century. In 1887 a very drastic restoration was carried out, the whole of the south walls of the chancel and nave being rebuilt; the only structural features that were re-used were the priests' doorway and the inner archway of the 12thcentury south doorway.
Font.	The font is of a late 15th century date, and so it must be the one used for Samuel's baptism.
Samuel Saunders' Marriage	Samuel Saunders married Mary Whitmore on Monday the 13th of May 1799 at St. Laurence, Meriden.
Mary Whitmore's baptism.	Mary was baptised on Monday the 30 of January 1777, and her parents were Thomas & Alice Whitmore. Mary died and was buried on Saturday the 3rd of May 1844 at St. Laurence, Meriden.
The church of St. Laurence, Meriden, Warwickshire. [Double click to see enlarged images of the above]	The Church of St. Laurence, reputedly founded by Lady Godiva and originally thatched, goes back to Norman times. The church has Brass Memorial to Elizabeth Rotton, 1638 AD. The fine incised brass, protected by a carpet, is set into the chancel floor. Elizabeth was the grandchild of the vicar of Meriden, Thomas Rotton (c1597-1617 AD). Most of the inscription is in Latin. It says: “Beneath this marble stone, at peace, lies Elizabeth Rotton, a young women of exceptional character and appearance, daughter and heiress of Thomas Rotton, gentleman and his wife Margaret who, alas, died in the flower of her youth on 14th of December 1638 in her 20th year.” The final words, “ I to a blest throne”, are an anagram of her name. Her own father who died in 1635 left a bequest to the poor, mentioned on the Charity Board in the West Gallery. The red sandstone effigy of a knight wearing a ‘sallet’ helmet, a type of skull cap with a projection at the back, dates the monument to the mid 15th century. Over the main door, as well as traces of lettering, is the beautifully restored Royal Coat of Arms of 1704, commemorating Queen Anne’s Bounty supporting the ministry of the Church of England. The Tenor in B is undoubtedly the oldest and seems to be medieval. There are 16 coins – groats and half-groats dating from Richard II’s reign 1377-99 – and one French counter of the 14th century on its shoulders, waist and sound bow. It is inscribed with the Christian symbol I.H.S. (Jesus, Son, Saviour) and weighs 7cwt. Near the porch is a sundial, 1749, protecting the stump of the ancient preaching cross. The cross was built before the church and commemorates the earliest preaching of the Gospel in the forest at this point. It must be very nearly a thousand years old. Several churchyard memorials are interesting. General Whichcote, veteran of Waterloo, who lived at Meriden House from 1848 to 1891 is buried here, another unusually records that Richard Taylor ‘died of smallpox’. Outside the main churchyard entrance is a sandstone mounting block – for all those centuries when some people came and left the church by horse!
	Samuel and Mary had nine children.
Thomas Saunders' baptism.	Thomas Saunders baptised Sunday the 11th of August 1799 at St. Laurence, Meriden.
Thomas Saunders' burial.	Thomas Saunders died, and was buried on Friday the 25th of April 1856 at St. Laurence, Meriden.
Samuel Saunders' baptism.	Samuel Saunders baptised Sunday the 28th of December 1800 at St. Laurence, Meriden.
Samuel Saunders' burial.	Samuel Saunders died, and was buried on Friday the 16th of August 1839 at St. Laurence, Meriden.
Samuel Saunders' baptism.	Elizabeth Saunders baptised Sunday the 15th of August 1802 at St. Laurence, Meriden.
Elizabeth Saunders' burial.	Elizabeth Saunders never married. Elizabeth died and was buried on Thursday the 19th of June 1834 at St. James, Great Packington.
James Saunders' baptism.	James Saunders baptised Monday the 6th of February 1804 at St. Laurence, Meriden. James married Mary Green - see below, and was buried on Tuesday the 19th of August 1834 at St. Laurence, Meriden.
Mary Saunders' remarriage	After James died, Mary remarried a Joseph Blick on Monday the 24th of April 1848 at Meriden
Joseph Saunders' baptism.	Joseph Saunders baptised Tuesday the 19th of August 1806 at St. Laurence, Meriden.
William Saunders' baptism.	William Saunders baptised Sunday the 13th of August 1809 at St. Laurence, Meriden.
Mary Saunders' baptism.	Mary Saunders baptised Sunday the 4th of November 1810 at St. Laurence, Meriden.
Alice Saunders' baptism.	Alice Saunders baptised Sunday the 19th of December 1813 at St. Laurence, Meriden. Alice married Isaac on Wednesday the 15th of January 1840 at ?
Charles Saunders' baptism.	Charles Saunders baptised Tuesday the 14th of May 1816 at St. Laurence, Meriden.
James Saunders' marriage.	Now moving to the next generation with James Saunders James Saunders was baptised on Monday the 6th of February 1804 at St. Laurence, Meriden. James married Mary Green on Monday the 2nd of October 1826 at St. Theobald and St. Chad, Caldecote. James and Mary had four children,
Samuel Saunders' baptism.	Samuel Saunders baptised Tuesday the 6th of February 1827 at St. Editha, Polesworth.
George Saunders' baptism.	George Saunders baptised Sunday the 14th of June 1829 at St Mary and St Bartholomew, Hampton in Arden.
The church of St Mary & St Bartholomew, Hampton in Arden, Warwickshire. [Double click to see enlarged images of the above]	The church of St Mary & St Bartholomew, Hampton in Arden, dates from 1130, with the nave being added in the 13th century, the north aisle in the 14th century and the south aisle and west tower in the 15th century. The spire fell "by the extraordinary violence of lightning and thunder happening on St. Andrew's Day, in the night. In the south wall of the chapel is a tomb reputed to contain the heart of a Knight Templar who died on a crusade with Richard the Lionheart.
Mary Saunders' baptism.	Mary Saunders baptised Sunday the 30th of June 1833 at St. John The Baptist, Berkswell.
	St. John The Baptist, Berkswell, is a fine 12th Century Norman church built upon the site of an earlier Saxon church. Remains in the crypt date back to the 8th Century. A feature of the church is the two-storey gabled and timbered porch added in the 16th Century. The room over the porch is now the vestry but was originally the first school room in the village. The pegs for the boys’ hats and the benches are still there.
The church of St. John The Baptist, Berkswell, Warwickshire. [Double click to see enlarged images of the above]	Much of the woodwork in the church was carved this century by the famous wood carver Robert Thompson. His mark is a mouse and nine such marks can be found in the church. The south wall of the chancel has some grotesque marks carved under the eaves. These were supposed to protect the church from any influence of evil. The remains of two 'scratch dials' can also be traced on this wall. They were used by the priest to tell the time for the services.
Joseph Saunders' baptism.	Joseph Saunders baptised Sunday the 30th of March 1834 at St. John The Baptist, Berkswell.
Joseph Saunders' burial.	Joseph Saunders died, and was buried on Wednesday the 6th of August 1834, at St. John The Baptist, Berkswell.
Joseph Saunders' baptism.	Joseph Saunders baptised Sunday the 30th of March 1834 at St. John The Baptist, Berkswell.
George Saunders' baptism.	Now moving to the next generation with George Saunders George Saunders was baptised on Sunday the 14th of June 1829, at St Mary and St Bartholomew, Hampton in Arden.
George Saunders' marriage to Jane ?.	George Saunders married in West Bromwich, in the summer of 1853, Jane Mason. They had 3 children, James Saunders born 1855, Mary Jane Saunders born 1858, and lastly Sarah Saunders born in 1860. James and Mary Jane, were the only children to survive. Mary Jane Saunders married Gideon Burgess in Dudley, in 1876, in the 1881 Census they at 27 Pudding Bag Street - as Gideon aged 27, Mary Jane aged 23, and their son Thomas 4. 10 years later in the 1891 Census, they have moved to Stoke on Trent - Gideon aged 35, Mary Jane aged 33, Thomas aged 14, Phillip aged 9, Annie aged 7, Maria aged 5, George aged 3, and lastly Edward aged 1. Our last glimpse of them is in the 1901 Census when we Mary Jane (widow) aged 43, Thomas aged 14, Philip aged 19, Anne aged 17, Edward aged 11, Alice aged 11, and lastly Jane aged 1. Doug advises that Gideon's death has not yet been found. Jane the daughter of John Mason and Jane, was born in 1832 and died in Walsall in 1861. By the time of the 1861 census his wife Jane had died.
	George Saunders' house keeper Mary Steatham now has a number of children, which she registers as Steatham (sic). Thomas Steatham was born 1862, he was baptised (not yet found), he died in 1864 and was buried on Thursday the 10th November 1864 at James Bridge Cemetery, in grave D 17. In burial record was stated as child of Mary Steatham Spinster, aged 2 years, address given as Cock Street, Darlaston. George Steathern was born in 1864, he was baptised (not yet found), he dies a short time later, and George Steathem (CR), George Steatham (BR) was buried on Monday the 11th July 1864 at James Bridge Cemetery, also in grave D 17. Harriet Steathern was born 1864, she was baptised (not yet found), died in 1865 and Harriet Steathem, was buried on Thursday the 28th December 1865 at James Bridge Cemetery, grave F 56. In burial record, aged 18 months. In burial record was stated as child of Mary Steatham, aged 1 month, address given as Cock Street, Darlaston. From the dates, George and Harriet must have been twins. We now have:- Samuel Steathem born 1866, he was baptised (not yet found), he can be seen in the 1871, 1881, and 1891 census. Charles Steathem born 1868, he was baptised (not yet found), see Charles Steatham page, for more information.
Mary Steatham and George Saunders marriage.	Mary Steatham now marries George Saunders on Sunday the 19th July 1874, in Moxley, Darlaston. Interestingly her Father Charles Statham, is down as Steatham. Not to surprising, as they both signed with their mark, and the pronunciation of Steatham and Statham is the same. Mary Saunders (nee Steatham, Statham) now has her last two children –
Richard Saunders' Signature.	Richard Saunders born 1875, married in 1897 Sarah Belcher, born 1876, her step father was George Whittaker. In the 1901 Census we can see them 90 New street, Harville Hawthorn - George Whittaker (head - widow) aged 53, George Belcher step son aged 16, Joseph Belcher step son aged 11, Richard Saunders son in law aged 24, Sarah aged 23, son George aged 2, and their daughter Jane aged 1. By the 1911 census they had Richard born 1901, Charles born 1903, Anne born 1906, and lastly Sarah Sara born 1910. The 1911 census indicates they had another two children who died. No descendants have been found of this family. George Saunders and Mary now have their last child together,
Isaiah Saunders (1879-19??), and his son Isaiah.	Isaiah Saunders was born on Thursday the 23rd of January 1879 {interestingly on his birth certificate his mother's maiden name is stated as Stetham} at Barncroft Street, West Bromwich. He married Ann Holt on Sunday the of 11th November 1900, at St James church, West Bromwich. They had 7 children; Hilda, Ruby, Violet, Phyllis, Isaiah, Edna, Dorothy. The photograph we have of Isaiah Saunders (1879-19??), and his son Isaiah, is of great importance, as it the oldest photograph we have in the Charles Steatham's, and Saunders' trees. Isaiah (1879-19??) was Charles Steatham's youngest brother. I have information on the descendants of Saunders mentioned above, but these cannot be published as they will then be encroaching on living persons.
	William Saunders, their last child, was born in 1870 in Darlaston, and died in 1873 in West Bromwich.
George Saunders' burial.	George Saunders died in March of 1886, and was buried in the Heath Lane Cemetery, opened in 1858, in West Bromwich, on Tuesday the 23rd of March 1886. He stated as being 56 years of age, and late residence of Barracks Lane, the grave number is Q 1037. So, we have to leave George Saunders' story where it is.
	Census findings I have searched the 1841-1911 Census's, and here are the results. The Census was always conducted on a Sunday, [1841 - June 6th] Not yet found. [1851 - March 30th] George Saunders aged 22, stirrup maker, born Meriden, Warwickshire, lodger at the house of William Bayley and wife Mary, All at "The Green", Darlaston. [1861 - April 7th] George Sanders (sic) aged 32, widower, Bolt Forger, James Sanders (sic) aged 6, Mary Jane Saunders aged 3, Sarah Sanders (sic) aged 1, and we have our Mary Steatham aged 21, House Keeper. All at a private house Bell Street. [1871 - April 2nd] George Saunders aged 42, Bolt Forger, born Darlaston, Mary Saunders aged 32, wife aged 32, born Darlaston, James Saunders aged 16, Mary Jane Saunders aged 13, Samuel Saunders aged 5, Charles Saunders aged 3, William Saunders aged 5 months. All at 3 Coach? to? 2, Darlaston. [1881 - April 3rd] George Saunders aged 52, born Hampton in Arden, coach bolt forger (Maker), Mary Saunders (Nee Steatham) aged 42, Samuel Saunders aged 14, born Darlaston, Charles Saunders (our Charles Statham/Steatham) aged 12, born Darlaston, Richard Saunders aged 6, born West Bromwich, Isaiah Saunders aged 2, born West Bromwich. At 91 Barracks, West Bromwich. [1891 - April 5th] Mary Saunders aged 50, Widow, Samuel Steatham aged 24, Moulder, Charles Steatham aged 22, Moulder, Richard Saunders aged 16, Moulder, born West Brom., Isaiah Saunders aged 11, born West Brom., Scholar. At 125 Dial? lane? [1901 - March 31st] Not yet found. [1911 - April 2nd] Richard Saunders aged 32, Sarah Saunders aged 28, George Saunders aged 12, James Saunders aged 11, Richard Saunders aged 10, Charles Saunders aged 8, Anne Saunders aged 5, Sarah Sara Saunders aged 1. At 112 New Street, West Bromwich. Discussion. What an interesting story this is. Further research is required to determine George first wife's name and when he got married and when she died. In the 1871 census George and Mary are down as being married, but in fact we know that they did not get married until 1874. It is almost certain that George is the father of Charles Steatham, but this matter can be cleared up without any doubt whatsoever as we have male living descendants of Charles Steatham, and we also have male living descendants of say Isaiah Saunders. They should both carry Charles Steatham's Y-Chromosome, this is unique because it is passed down relatively unchanged along the male lineage and thus holds valuable information about a male's ancestry. A single positive test would prove absolutely that George was Charles Steatham's father, and that George started this unique Steatham line. It is ironic really, that both George, and Robert Steatham before him, came from the relative peace of the countryside, to the area of industrial growth, to ensure their fortune. It may be best, as this is very complicated story to re-iterate how it all fits together. It all started with Robert Steatham (1775-1827), and his four surviving sons, Thomas Steatham, Joseph Steatham, Moses Steatham and Samuel Steatham, they alone carried the Steatham name forward. Family history research is very rarely that straightforward, so we also have the ‘Other Steathams’ as I call them, that originate from the Statham surname at Darlaston, but twenty or more years after Robert Steatham's death. The family started at Tamworth as Statham’s and moved to Darlaston, and then started changing their name to Steatham. The most significant person we have from this is Charles Steatham, where we have many descendants, and one of the first thing Steathams do is to ask if they are descended from Robert Steatham's sons, or Charles Steatham. Some of Mary’s siblings started using the Steatham surname as well. This tree is still being investigated. So this intermixing of names and the changes to using Steatham, Statham, Saunders, makes it all a little complicated. So taking Mary first we have:- The Stathams, from Tamworth which cumulated in Mary and her siblings, going forward as Steatham ish. We then have Mary’s son Charles Steatham, fathered by George Saunders before they were married. This story is covered on the Charles Steatham page. Next is George Saunders. The Saunders, which cumulated in George Saunders, his siblings, and their descendants, and George’s children, named Saunders, after he married Mary, are covered on the George Saunders page. The Charles Steatham and George Saunders pages should be read as one to get the whole picture. Research - Additional Planned. In Progress. Locate in 1841 Census. Locate in 1901 Census. Locate in 1911 Census. Planned. Obtain death certificate for George Saunders. Obtain death certificate for Mary Saunders. Steatham.com    All Rights Reserved.