In southeastern Jessamine County on
the Kentucky River is a small
house that was once a grocery and post office run by William Thomas
and Nannie Sanders. The 27 acre tract of land where it is situated
was originally part of an 800 acre land grant to James and Ellen
McClerkin Sanders, dated in the late 1700s. After James and Ellen
died, the 800 acres were divided among their heirs. The 27 acres
are all that remains in the Sanders family.
David Sanders, son of James and Ellen,
married Rebecca Renfro and they had 11 children: Olive, Weston,
Peter, Ellen, John, William Thomas, Ann, Rebecca, Columbus, Franklin
and Lizzie.
William Thomas Sanders left the 27 acres
to his daughter, Sarah Jane Sanders. She was the only child of
William Thomas and Nannie Whittaker Sanders, born 7/26/1895.
Sarah married Buford Brumfield. They had 10 children: Lovie
(Craig), Moss, Ruby (Hager), Mildred (Walker), Walter, Oakle,
Merritt, Meredith (Owens), Carmen (Shawler) and Ann (Glass). All
four sons served the country in active combat in WW II. Buford
died in 1933. Sarah Sanders Brumfield died in 1989. She had 28
grandchildren. This land now belongs to her heirs, being her eight
living children and two grandchildren, who are the children of
her daughter, Ruby, who died in a car accident in 1960. Moss Brumfield
died in WW II leaving no children.
Family and friends use the place for
reunions and celebrations for different occasions. One son maintains
a residence on the place. One corner of the yard shades a private
cemetery. The older Sanders graveyard is on an adjoining farm.
The house that sits on the 27 acres is the log cabin where Rebecca Renfro Sanders was born. It was moved from Madison County and once served as a grocery and post office,
more rooms having been added. The family has a ledger showing various
items charged: 5 cents worth of sugar, 10 cents worth of salt
pork, 5 cents worth of chewing tobacco.
Sarah Sanders corresponded with one
cousin in Kansas, but never met her. The family has some of the
letters dated in the early 1900s. Postage on the letters was 2
cents.
"Uncle Tom" (William Thomas
Sanders) made a weekly trip to Lexington with his team of horses
and wagon, taking chickens and eggs that had been traded for groceries
and kerosene. He left early in the morning, returning late at
night with his groceries to sell that week. One morning, departing
on his weekly journey before daylight, the wagon and horses toppled
over a cliff near a waterfall by the road. He lifted the wagon,
saved what he could of his chickens and continued his trip.
One of Uncle Tom's brothers, John, crossed
the river during a flood with his family. His wife and three children
drowned. Recovery of the mother's body revealed she still had
her baby clutched in her arms. [read newspaper account here]
This place will stay in the family for
future generations to enjoy.
Submitted by Mildred Walker
 |
Back Row: Moss, Lovie, Buford Hager (son-in-law) and Ruby (Hager) with first grandchild, Betty. 3rd Row: Walter, Mildred, Sarah, Oakle; 2nd Row: Meredith, Merritt; Front Row: Carmen, Nannie Whittaker Sanders, Ann |