Eliza May Johnson was born on 8 January 1885 at Bundarra, the daughter of James Johnson, aged 27, and Charlotte Johnson, aged 24. She spent her early years in the New England region of New South Wales and later formed a family with John Wilson Saunders.
Together, Eliza and John had five children — one son and four daughters — between 1905 and 1918. Eliza lived through a period of significant change in rural New South Wales, witnessing both the hardships and the growth of communities in the district.
Eliza died on 2 November 1965 in New South Wales at the age of 80. She was laid to rest in Barraba, where many members of her family were also connected.
John Wilson Saunders was born on 20 March 1870 at Rocky River, the son of Sidney Saunders, aged 34, and Harriet Saunders, aged 38. He first married Vashti Duncombe, and that marriage produced three children.
Later, John formed a partnership with Eliza May Johnson, and together they had one son and four daughters. John spent most of his life in the northern districts of New South Wales, where he was closely associated with the Barraba community.
John died on 24 August 1944 in Barraba at the age of 74. He was buried there, leaving behind a large family whose descendants continued the Saunders and Johnson connections throughout the region.