Saunders of Dry Branch
Initial Research Approach
I'm starting my research on 'Granny Saunders' from Dry Branch, Pocahontas County, West Virginia. This seems to be a very specific historical and genealogical inquiry, so I'm planning to use a combination of general web searches, genealogical databases, and local history resources to gather information.
Next Steps
My immediate next steps involve performing broad searches to identify any readily available information about 'Granny Saunders' in the specified location. I'll also be looking for genealogical and historical societies in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, as these organizations often hold valuable local records and information. I'm also considering searches that might link 'Granny Saunders' to roles like a midwife or healer, given the historical context.
Initial Discoveries about Granny Saunders
I've found promising initial leads regarding 'Granny Saunders' in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. She is mentioned in several digitized historical documents, including a dissertation and what appears to be a history of Pocahontas County. These mentions suggest she was a notable local figure, even inspiring a poem by West Virginia poet Louise McNeill. This indicates her potential significance within the community's history or folklore.
Clarifying the Location
I've confirmed that 'Dry Branch' is indeed a location within Pocahontas County, West Virginia, through local historical articles. However, I've also noted that another 'Dry Branch' exists in Kanawha County, so I'll need to be careful to focus my research on the correct geographical area.
Identifying Key Resources
I've identified several valuable genealogical and historical resources for Pocahontas County, including the local Genealogical Society, Historical Society, and the McClintic Library in Marlinton. These institutions and their online databases, such as FamilySearch and RootsWeb, are likely to hold crucial records and information about individuals from the area.
Next Research Actions
My next step is to delve deeper into the historical documents that mention 'Granny Saunders' to gather more specific details about her life and the stories associated with her. I'll also begin exploring the identified genealogical resources to search for official records, aiming to find her full name and approximate dates to aid in further research. I'm particularly interested in understanding if she held roles such as a midwife or healer, which were common for respected women in Appalachian communities during that period.
Unveiling 'Granny Saunders'
I've made significant progress in understanding 'Granny Saunders.' It appears her full name was likely Mrs. Dianna Saunders. The historical texts I've accessed provide rich anecdotes about her character, her healing practices, and her unconventional lifestyle. She is described as a strong, gentle, and courageous woman, and her memories even extend to Washington's troops, placing her firmly in a historical context. A crucial detail emerged: the author of one of the historical texts was an infant in 1901 and was saved by Granny Saunders, providing a valuable time anchor for her life.
Deepening Local Context
I'm continuing to build a comprehensive understanding of Dry Branch in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, as this community is central to Granny Saunders' story. Understanding the local history and geography will provide essential context for her life and practices.
Next Steps in My Research
My immediate next steps involve leveraging the newly identified name, 'Dianna Saunders,' to conduct targeted searches within genealogical records, including census data, birth, death, and marriage records, specifically focusing on Pocahontas County. I also plan to identify the author and full title of the historical book from the Internet Archive, as this source has proven to be incredibly valuable. Additionally, I will continue to investigate the poem 'Granny Saunders' by Louise McNeill to explore any folkloric or literary insights it might offer.
Refining the Search for Granny Saunders
My previous attempts to find 'Dianna Saunders' in genealogical records were not fruitful, suggesting that 'Dianna' might be a nickname or that her official name is spelled differently or not readily available in online indexed records. However, I've confirmed that Louise McNeill did write a poem titled 'Granny Saunders' in her book *Gauley Mountain*, which is a significant lead for understanding her folkloric presence. I've also identified William T. Price's *Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County, West Virginia* (1901) as a key primary source that mentions her, and I've pinpointed 'Dry Branch of Swago' as a more specific location within Pocahontas County.
Strategic Adjustments to Research
Given the challenges with the direct genealogical search, I'm adjusting my strategy. I will broaden my genealogical searches for the 'Saunders' surname in Pocahontas County during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, looking for a female head of household or an older woman who fits the 'Granny' description. I'll also explore variations of the name 'Dianna' and focus on the Swago Creek area.
Next Steps in My Research
My immediate next steps involve locating and analyzing the full text of Louise McNeill's 'Granny Saunders' poem to gain literary and folkloric insights. I will also research William T. Price to understand his background and the context of his historical writings. Finally, I will investigate the history and geography of the Swago Creek area, particularly 'Dry Branch of Swago,' to build a more detailed picture of Granny Saunders' community.
I'm still facing challenges in definitively identifying 'Granny Saunders' through direct genealogical searches for 'Dianna Saunders,' suggesting that 'Dianna' might be a nickname or that her official name is recorded differently. However, I've uncovered a promising lead: a record mentioning 'Robert Jefferson Saunders' with a connection to Swago Creek. This new name provides a more concrete starting point for genealogical investigation.
Confirming Key Locations and Sources
I've successfully confirmed that Swago Creek is a significant location in Pocahontas County, and that 'Dry Branch of Swago' is a specific historical reference point. I've also verified William T. Price's *Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County, West Virginia* (1901) as a credible and valuable source for information about Granny Saunders and the local history. The existence of Louise McNeill's poem 'Granny Saunders' in her collection *Gauley Mountain* has also been confirmed, highlighting Granny Saunders' presence in local folklore and literature.
Refined Research Strategy
My next steps are focused on breaking through the genealogical barrier. I will prioritize targeted searches for 'Robert Jefferson Saunders' in Pocahontas County records, hoping to find connections to 'Granny Saunders' or her family. I'll also broaden my search for any 'Saunders' families residing near Swago Creek in the late 19th century, examining land, tax, and census records. Concurrently, I will make a more direct attempt to locate the full text of Louise McNeill's poem and conduct a deeper analysis of William T. Price's historical sketches for any additional clues about the Saunders family or the Dry Branch/Swago Creek area.
Confirming Granny Saunders' Identity and Role
I've confidently identified 'Granny Saunders' as Diana Saunders, a widow who settled in Pocahontas County after the War of 1812 with her four children: Anna, Eleanor, Cyrus, and Isaac. She was a highly respected healer and midwife, playing a crucial role in her community on Dry Branch of Swago Creek. The story of her saving William T. Price as an infant highlights her significant impact and reputation.
Resolving Timeline and Family Connections
I've successfully resolved the timeline discrepancy regarding William T. Price's birth, confirming he was born in 1830, which aligns with Granny Saunders saving him as an infant in the early 1830s. I've also found that her daughter Eleanor married Barnett Adkisson and had a large family in the Swago Creek area. This provides a clearer picture of Diana Saunders' family and their presence in the region. The WikiTree entry for Eleanor also suggests Diana was born in the mid-to-late 18th century and lived a very long life.
Addressing Remaining Information Gaps
While I've gathered substantial information, I still need to locate the full text of Louise McNeill's poem 'Granny Saunders' from her 1939 collection *Gauley Mountain* to understand her portrayal in local folklore. I also aim to find more precise birth and death dates for Diana Saunders through targeted census searches. Finally, I need to investigate the connection of 'Robert Jefferson Saunders' to Diana's family, as he was also linked to Swago Creek.
Next Steps in My Research
My next steps will focus on these remaining gaps. I will conduct specific searches for the poem's text, perform targeted census searches for Diana Saunders in the 1850, 1860, and 1870 US Census records for Pocahontas County, and investigate 'Robert Jefferson Saunders' to determine any familial ties.
Consolidating Information on Granny Saunders
I've gathered a comprehensive understanding of Diana 'Granny' Saunders, confirming her full name, her approximate life dates, and her significant role as a healer and midwife in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. The primary historical source for her life is William T. Price's book, which provides rich details about her character and contributions to the community. I've also identified her family members and the specific location of her residence on Dry Branch of Swago Creek.
Remaining Information Gaps
While I have a strong foundation, I haven't yet located the full text of Louise McNeill's poem 'Granny Saunders,' which would offer valuable folkloric insights. My attempts to find Diana Saunders in the 1860 and 1870 census records were unsuccessful, likely due to variations in spelling or record-keeping from that period. The potential connection to 'Robert Jefferson Saunders' also remains unconfirmed.
Concluding Research and Preparing Report
I believe I've reached a point of saturation with online searches for new information. The core details about Granny Saunders are well-established through the historical accounts I've found. Although the poem and precise census records would be beneficial, their absence doesn't prevent me from creating a thorough biographical profile. I now have sufficient information to synthesize a detailed report covering her biography, community role, associated legends, and a comparison of historical and anecdotal evidence.
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