Born in Virginia early in 1811, possibly to John H. Saunders, the principal of Richmond's male orphanage and his wife Sally (the institution's matron).
Saunders' mansion in what was then Richmond's West End is now Founders Hall of Virginia Commonwealth University.
Early the following morning, Mayo rode his carriage eastward out of the city, seeking a Union officer to whom to surrender Richmond, as well as plead for assistance in suppressing the fire.
Under pressure from federal authorities, Sturdivant declined to accept office, so Gen. Turner asked Saunders to continue as city manager, operating the gas and water works.
The military governor during Congressional Reconstruction (now Gen. John Schofield) again removed Mayo from office on May 4, this time appointing New York-born George Chahoon as Richmond's mayor on May 6, 1866.