Family and Education

bap. 9 June 1641, 1st s. of Roger Saunders of Milborne Wick by w. Sarah. m. bef. 1664, Mary, da. of Matthew Raymond of Puckshipton, Wilts., 4s. 2da. suc. fa. c.1642.1

Offices Held

Capital burgess, Milborne Port by 1679-89; commr. for assessment, Som. 1677-80, 1689-90.

Biography

Saunders came of an obscure family which had held property at Milborne Wick since at least 1621. By 1679 he had acquired one of the ‘capital burgages’ which controlled the borough, but his affairs were seriously involved, and he was probably already looking for a purchaser before the Revolution, which threw the principal interests at Milborne Port into disarray. Saunders seized the opportunity to secure parliamentary immunity from his creditors while completing the sale. He was inactive in the Convention, though according to Anthony Rowe he voted to agree with the Lords that the throne was not vacant. On 14 May 1689 he was given leave to go into the country for a month. In December he conveyed all his property to the trustees of Sir Thomas Travell^†, who sat for Milborne Port in the succeeding Parliament. The price was £2,600. His only committee was for a private bill on 25 Jan. 1690. Nothing further is known of Saunders or his family.2

Ref Volumes: 1660-1690

Author: John. P. Ferris

Notes

• 1. Milborne Port par. reg.; C7/323/111; Vis. Glos. ed. Fenwick and Metcalfe, 141.
• 2. C7/323/111; Som. RO, DD/BR/fc.33.