Samuel Saunders (vegetarian)
Samuel Saunders was an English social reformer, activist, and entrepreneur. He was deeply involved in several 19th-century reform movements, including the anti-slavery campaign, the Anti–Corn Law League, and municipal reform. Saunders also advocated for temperance, vegetarianism, peace, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, and against vaccination. He worked as a master miller, farmer, manufacturing chemist, and operated a fruit preservation business.
Biography
Early life and family
Samuel Saunders born on 12 August 1814, at Russel Mill, Market Lavington. He was the son of Amran Edward Saunders, a grain merchant and miller, and his wife Mary Ann, who had four sons and six daughters. His siblings included Mary Bayly, temperance activist and writer; Alfred Saunders, farmer, social reformer, and activist; and William Saunders, newspaper proprietor and Member of Parliament for [Kingston upon Kingston upon Hull East (UK Parliament constituency)|Hull East (UK Parliament constituency)|Hull] and Walworth. His nephew was Samuel Saunders, journalist and newspaper editor, and his niece was Sarah Page, teacher, feminist, reformer, and politician.Reform work and activism
Saunders began his reform work and activism at a young age. By 20, he was involved in the Anti-Slavery Society, the Anti-Corn Law League, and advocacy for the Municipal Reform Bill. Saunders became a teetotaler in 1830 and became a member of the British and Foreign Temperance Society in the same year. He successfully enlisted his mother, two sisters and three brothers to the cause. In 1832, during the Bristol riots, he was sworn in as a special constable.Saunders adopted vegetarianism in 1837 after meeting Isaac Pitman and reading works by Sylvester Graham. He worked in the vegetarian cause with Pitman in Bath around 1847.
Saunders was also active in the peace movement, joining the Peace Society in 1832. Additionally, he was involved in the anti-vaccination movement and promoted hydrotherapy and homeopathy, claiming to have achieved cures through these methods.
Business career
Saunders worked as a master miller and farmer. In 1848, Saunders' father divided the family grain merchant business into two: one branch in Bath, which he ran alongside his brother Edward, and a new business in Market Lavington, operated by Samuel. Samuel's business operated from 1848 to 1852. While living in Bath, he transitioned into manufacturing chemistry. Saunders later turned to fruit farming and, in 1868, founded a fruit preservation business in Market Lavington that eschewed the use of artificial colourings and chemicals. His efforts were said to have influenced the "tone of the village".Contributions to publishing
Saunders assisted his brother, William, in establishing several publications, including the Western Morning News in Plymouth, the Eastern Morning News in Hull, and the Central Press in London. He also contributed to the Central News following the government’s takeover of the telegraph service.Later years
Saunders established a Working Men's Hall in Market Lavington and built his own home with a focus on ventilation and hygiene.In 1897, he attended the Vegetarian Society jubilee meeting in Ramsgate and was recognised for his lifelong contributions to vegetarianism and social reform. In 1903 he stated:
I am now an old man. I have been a total abstainer from alcoholic drinks for 72 years. I have never touched tobacco and have never spent a penny on either. I have abstained from flesh, fish, and fowl for 62 years, and have followed other health rules. I have never had a headache, never been in bed a whole day from illness, or suffered pain except from trivial accidents. I have had a very happy, and I hope somewhat useful, life. Now, in my 88th year, I am as light and nimble, and capable of receiving a new idea, as I was 20 years ago.In October 1905, a meeting was held at Congregational Memorial Hall, London, for octogenarian vegetarians. Speakers in attendance included Saunders, Joseph Wallace, T. A. Hanson, C. P. Newcombe, John E. B. Mayor, and Samuel Pitman, brother of Isaac Pitman.
Personal life and death
Saunders was married three times. He married Amelia Goulding Grimes on 4 September 1844 at Abbey Church, Romsey; she died in 1848. on 17 October 1855, he married Frances "Fanny" Maria Cotterell; she died in 1888. On 4 September 1896, he married Constance Wilkinson, widow of Perceval Wilkinson. He had three daughters: Alice, Edith, and Annette.Saunders died at Market Lavington on 2 March 1908 at the age of 93.