John Weeke Saunders ( â June 1670), also known as John Sanders, was an English politician, sailor, settler, and planter, who served as the Governor of Wessagusset Colony from 1622 to 1623. He came to the settlement as a member of Thomas Weston's company.
Saunders accompanied Thomas Weston and his company in his expedition to Wessagusset, arriving there during the July of 1622. Later, upon the death of Richard Greene in October, who was the Governor of Wessagusset Colony, Saunders assumed his position. He remained in the rank for about five months prior to the colony's dissolution.
On June 13, 1670, Saunders, then a Province of Maine planter situated in Cape Porpoise, had grown increasingly ill, compelling him to write a will. His wife inherited his "house and lands for life," and his son, John, inherited 1,000 acres "eight or nine miles above Cape Porpus River Falls.â He died in a matter of days upon the composition, with it being "proved" on June 24, 1670.