Family and Education

?s. of Thomas Saunder (d.1535) of Southover. m. (2) Anne, a wid.

Offices Held

Biography

In 1553 it was agreed that Southover, a parish adjoining Lewes and recognized as a ‘member’ of the borough, should elect one Member to every second Parliament. Saunder, of merchant or yeoman stock, was no doubt chosen as a result of this understanding. He may have been in the service of Thomas Sackville, later Lord Buckhurst, whose father, Sir Richard, owned a half share of the manor there. In his will, made 11 Dec. 1581, and proved the following May, Saunder left a gold ring to ‘the right honourable the Lady Buckhurst, my singular good lady’. Buckhurst’s steward William Newton, who built the Grange, Southover, was one of the overseers of Saunder’s will.

Suss. Rec. Soc. xix. 10; xliii. 106; lvi. 96, 101; VCH Suss. vii. 36, 45; PCC 20 Tirwhite.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: M.R.P.

Notes