(1842-1866)
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Lauretta Winifred "Laura" Sanders and her older sister Sarah Elizabeth "Bettie" Sanders attended the Burwell School around 1856, shortly before the School closed in 1857. The Sanders girls were descended from several important families in what is now the Johnston County area of NC. In 1861, Laura married William Stevens Long of Caswell County, but she died in 1866 at the age of twenty-four. The date of her death coincides with the year of the birth of her third and last child; it has been speculated that she died of complications of childbirth.
Lauretta W. Sanders and her older sister Sarah Elizabeth Sanders of Johnston County were the daughters of Ransom Sanders and his second wife, Sarah Campbell. Ransom Sanders was a planter and descendant of early 18th century settlers in what became Johnston County. He was the son of Reuben Sanders, and the grandson of Hardy Sanders. Sarah Campbell was the daughter of James Campbell.
Laura and Bettie Sanders' paternal great great grandfather, James Sanders (1713-1764) was born in Nansemond County, VA. He moved to NC and built an estate named Sanders Grove. He is buried in Sanders Grove Plantation Family Cemetery in Johnston County, NC. Her paternal great grandfather, Hardy Sanders (1747-1812) DAR # A099709, James' son, was born on Four Oaks Plantation in Johnston County, NC. He served in the American Revolutionary War and was Captain of a Company of Wake County, NC Militia, obtaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1881. Her paternal grandfather Reuben Sanders (1764-1829) son of Hardy Sanders was also born on Four Oaks Plantation. He was married twice, first to Deliah Hunter and then to Keren Smith. He served in the NC State Senate, representing Johnston County, NC and also as Clerk of Court in Johnston County. Reuben and his wife Keren were the owners of White Oak Plantation. In 1786, Reuben began acquiring land and owned over 6000 acres and 125 slaves at the time of his death. His son, Ransom Sanders Sr. (1797-1844) is Laura Sanders' father.
Laura Sanders' maternal great grandfather Farquhard Campbell (ca.1721-ca.1808) DAR # A018577 was born in Islay or Jura, Scotland. He arrived in Cumberland County, NC in 1740. He was married three times, first to Isabella McAllister, to Elizabeth Smith or Whitfield (sources are unclear) and then to Rachel Whitfield. By the end of the 18th century, he was reported to be the wealthiest man in Cumberland County. By 1790, he owned 50 slaves. During the American Revolutionary War, he refused to align himself with either side. By some he was accused of giving aid to both sides before or at the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge, February 1776.
James Campbell (1782-1816) was Laura Sanders' maternal grandfather. James and his wife, Winifred Turner (1789-1852) had twin daughters Mary Campbell (1814-1886) and Sarah Campbell (1814-1882), Laura's mother, as well as two other children, Elizabeth Campbell (1810-1844) and Farquhard Campbell (1812-1878).
From what could be found in Ancestry.com, Laura Sanders (1842-1866) lived her entire like in Johnston County, NC with the exception of her tenure at the Burwell School in 1856, the year before the school closed. She and her husband William Stevens "Will" Long (1831-1870) were married in 1861 and were the parents of three children. Laura died at the age of 24 and Mary Claire Engstrom speculates in her book The Book of Burwell Students that she may have died from the complications of childbirth.
Laura's great granddaughter Carolyn Ihrie Pou (1922-1991), who went by "Ihrie," married George Watts Carr, Jr. (1918-2006). He was a long time Durham, NC business and civic leader. Laura's great grandson, Edwin Smith Pou (1919-1980) represented Wake County in the NC State House in the General Assemblies of 1951, 1953, and 1955 and served on the University of North Carolina Board of Trustees.
Living descendents of Laura Sanders and Will Long have been found in Albany, CA, Millwood, VA, Bethesda, MD and several towns in NC including Raleigh, Greensboro, and Pine Knoll Shores [1].
Lauretta was called Laura.
Lauretta Winifred Sanders was born on April 18, 1842, in Smithfield. She died on January 24, 1866, and was buried in Ransom Sanders Cemetery.
[1] and Adeline H. Sanders (1838-1846).