Nicholas Saunderson's father was an exciseman, meaning that he was a government officer who collected taxes imposed on goods. Nicholas, his parents' eldest son, was born in the small village of Thurlston (today written Thurlstone) about 11 km west of Barnsley and about 20 km north west of Sheffield. Thurlston was very close to the small town of Penniston (today written Penistone).
Nicholas Saunderson 's ama ay isang kolektor ng buwis, ibig sabihin na siya ay isang opisyal ng pamahalaan na nakolekta na buwis imposed sa mga paninda. Nicholas, ang kanyang mga magulang 'diko anak na lalaki, ay isinilang sa maliit na nayon ng Thurlston (ngayon nakasulat Thurlstone) tungkol sa 11 km kanluran ng Barnsley at tungkol sa 20 km hilagang kanluran ng Sheffield. Thurlston ay masyadong malapit sa maliit na bayan ng Penniston (ngayon nakasulat Penistone).