Lawrence County AlArchives Biographies.....Saunders, James E. 1806 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 September 4, 2011, 11:22 am Source: See below Author: Smith & De Land, publishers JAMES E. SAUNDERS. a distinguished citizen of Lawrence County, was born in Brunswick County, Va., May 7, 1806, and was two years of age when his parents migrated to Williamson County, Tenn. He was educated under private instructors and at the University of Georgia. Immediately after graduating, he began the study of law, in the office of Foster & Fogg, Nashville, Tenn., and entered the practice during the twenty-first year of his age. In 1826 he located at Moulton, this county, where his superior qualifications as a lawyer were at once recognized. Three years later, he removed to Courtland, and entered into partnership with John J. Ormand. This arrangement continued until the elevation of Judge Ormand to the supreme bench of the State. In 1840. Mr. Saunders was elected to the Legislature, and was assigned to the chairmanship of the judiciary committee. From Mr. Garrett's "Public Men of Alabama" we quote the following as apropos: "In the first discussion which arose, relative to the election of United States Senator, the rank assigned him (Saunders), by general consent, was that of leader on the Democratic side. He was calm as a May morning, never permitting the exciting scenes around him to ruffle the perfect equanimity of his temper. His thoughts appeared so well arranged, and his facts so connected, that he seemed only to make a statement in order to carry a point by the force of deduction, he bore himself with so much ease and yet with such force in debate, that, while he astonished all by the strength of his logic, it seemed that he held himself back, and never darted his heaviest bolts. Congress would have been a more suitable arena for the exhibition of his true character and eminent abilities. The laurels he gained never withered, but each successive performance added lustre to his victories." Mr. Saunders was for many years a Trustee of the University, and contributed to that change of administration which took place in 1837, when the Pev. Alva Woods retired from the Presidency, and was succeeded by the Rev. Basil Manly. In 1843, he changed his residence to Mobile, where he carried on a commission business. In 1845, Mr. Polk appointed him Collector of the Port of Mobile, which office he held for four years. In 1852 he served on the Electoral Ticket which cast the vote of Alabama for Pierce and King. He possessed a large fortune, having married Mary F., daughter of Maj. Robert H. Watkins, formerly of Georgia. Mr. Saunders dispensed a liberal hospitality, and gave freely of his wealth to charitable objects and the support of the ministry. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and has faithfully performed the duties imposed by that relation. He has acted well his part as a Christian philosopher, and is now enjoying that retirement and universal respect so well merited by his spotless character. Colonel Saunders opposed secession, and was president of the Douglas Convention, held at Montgomery in 1860; but when Alabama withdrew from the Federal Union, he recognized the State's first and greatest claim upon his allegiance, and at once threw himself actively into her defense. He was connected with the army from the beginning to the close, and rendered the cause much valuable and highly appreciated service. He is honorably mentioned many times in "The Life of Albert Sidney Johnston." the "Campaigns of Lieut.-Gen. Forrest." and other popular works. After the war, Colonel Saunders resumed his favorite pursuit, agriculture, and is now living a life of comfortable, not to say elegant, retirement at his magnificent country seat, near the little town of Courtland. Here, in his ripe old age, he continues to dispense Southern hospitality in keeping with the time-honored customs of a glorious people. He was married, July 14, 1824, to Mary Francis Watkins, the handsome and accomplished daughter of Maj. Robt. A. Watkins, of this county, and formerly of Virginia. The children born to this happy union, and that grew to adult age, are named as follows: Robert T., Elizabeth Dunn, deceased, Mary Louise, deceased, Dudley Dunn, Sarah Jane, Prudent, deceased, Lawrence Watkins, deceased, and Ellen Virginia. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Northern Alabama: Historical and Biographical Birmingham, Ala.: Smith and De Land 1888 PART III. HISTORICAL RESUME OF THE VARIOUS COUNTIES IN THE STATE. CEREAL BELT. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/lawrence/bios/saunders832gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 5.0 Kb