Washington County Probate Records - Includes references to Noble Co., OH and Wood and Jackson Cos., WV.- The Archer Association

Place names often honor or commemorate early settlers. However, the only record of the existence of these settlers is an obscure reference in one paragraph of a local history, which omits the given name of our local hero but waxes eloquent about all of the people who lived there long after our namesake departed. Such is the case in the account given below of the origins of "Archer's Fork", Washington Co., Ohio. The excerpt comes from "The History of Washington Co., Ohio,' published by O.H.Z. Williams & Bros., Cleveland, 1881, p. 87, and the map of Independence Township comes from the Atlas of Washington Co. Ohio (no further publication details available)

The third and last division of the township (Independence Twp- GWA.) is that drained by Archer's Fork, an area of between twelve and thirteen square miles. The region lies between the two ridges, elsewhere described, and furnishes to Archer several runs, named usually from some owner of the land through which they run...

Archer's fork is named from an early settler or squatter, about whose settlement there is a difference of opinion. One story places Mr. Archer at the mouth of this stream, another relates that he was the first settler, or rather the first squatter in the division of the township now under consideration. According to tradition Archer eloped with another man's wife, came to this secluded region, chose his home about three hundred yards below the mouth of Cady's run, on the banks of the main stream, and there lived romantically with his companion in a hollow sycamore tree, with no gossiping neighbors to molest or make them afraid. Whether the pair tired of their solitude or wished to find some spot more likely to remain unpeopled by others is not known, but before the first permanent settler came into this valley, the couple had taken their departure.

"History of Washington County, Ohio," published by Cleveland, H.Z. Williams & Bros, 1881 (reprinted by Bookmark, Knightstown, IN 46148, 1976.) Sponsored by Washington County Historical Society, Marietta, OH.

Pay Roll of a company of Ohio militia , commanded by Capt John Thorniley, of the First Regiment of Ohio militia, stationed at Ft. Stephenson by order of Gen. John S. Gano, from January 1814 to 13 Mar 1814, including seven days for returning home 140 miles, both days inclusive.

(The same information on John Archer is in "History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio and Representative Citizens," edited by Martin R. Andrews, Chicago, Biographical Publ. Co., 1902, Vol 1, p. 560)

Bear Run, which rises in the highlands in the south-eastern part of the township and takes a northwesterly direction, derives its names from an event in the life of Archer, the hunter. It is said that on the banks of this stream Archer met a bear in a hand to paw combat in which the veteran hunter triumphed, not, however, without receiving severe injuries. His thigh was horribly minced and his life was barely saved. Another and more commonly accepted origin for the name of this stream is that a bear was killed in the valley through which it flows in comparatively recent times.

(Lawrence Township) is divided into three surface slopes, one toward the northwest and emptying its waters into the Little Muskingum, one toward the southeast and emptying its waters into the same stream, and the third in the northwest corner, sloping toward the west and emptying its waters into Duck creek. The principal streams of the southwestward slope are Cow Run, Bear Run, and Archer's Fork. Cow Run,...rises on the ridge in the southeastern part of the township, flows westerly and empties into the Little Muskingum about one mile from the Newport township line....

The third and last division of the township is that drained by Archer's Fork, an area of between twelve and thirteen square miles. The region lies between the two ridges, elsewhere described, and furnishes to Archer several runs, named usually from some owner of the land through which they run...Archer's Fork is named from an early settler or squatter, about whose settlement there is a difference of opinion. One story places Mr. Archer at the mouth of this stream, another relates that he was the first settler, or rather the first squatter in the division of the township now under consideration. According to tradition Archer eloped with another man's wife, came to this secluded region, chose his home about three hundred yards below the mouth of Cady's Run, on the banks of the main stream, and there lived romantically with his companion in a hollow sycamore tree, with no gossiping neighbors to molest or make them afraid. Whether the pair tired of their solitude or wished to find some spot more likely to remain unpeopled by others is not known, but before the first permanent settler came into this valley, the couple had taken their departure.

"Marriage Records of Washington County Ohio 1789-1825," Marietta Chapt, DAR, Marietta, OH, 1931.

[GWA comment: Patrick Archer (Simon, Patrick). Simon's sons stayed in Washington Co., PA for some time after their father's death in 1808 and then about 1823 moved on to Clay Co., IN.]

(EDITOR'S NOTE: In August 1984 I went through a large body of records housed in the Washington County, Ohio Court House in Marietta, Ohio. Marietta was the first settlement of the Northwest Territory. Washington County was formed 27 Jul 1788.

Its earliest records pertain to all of Ohio until other counties were formed within the Northwest Territory and separated from Washington County's administrative control.

Time did not permit an exhaustive search of some of the more obscure or voluminous records, such as all of the loose papers related to probate, however, where probate records cited other individual documents related to the settlement of an estate, these are listed under the name of the deceased even though they were not abstracted below. In this way you can be aware of the existence of these records if you are doing research on that individual or family.

The custodians of the records in every office at the Washington Co. Court House were extremely cooperative. They have a close and cooperative relationship with the local genealogical and historical societies which have provided support in indexing the official records and are frequent local "consumers" of the county records. The records are available by mail from most of the custodians' offices, however, the Probate Court records must be paid for in cash or money order in advance - no personal checks.

"Index- Washington Co., Ohio Marriages 1789-1840" Comp. by Bernice Graham and Elizabeth S. Cottle, sponsored jointly by the Marietta Chapt. DAR and Washington Co., OH Historical Society, Marietta, OH, 4 Jul 1976.

(EDITOR'S COMMENT: This is not an official record but is a very useful finding aid for use of the Washington Co., OH marriage records. The compilers donated a typescript copy to the Probate Court Clerk, and I believe another copy is available at the Marietta Public Library. I do not believe this index has been published for sale to the general public. Note the very early cut-off date for the index.

There were no Archer females listed in the index. I did NOT do a page by page check of the marriage records volumes themselves)

Washington Co., OH Marriage Record Vol 19, 1915- p. 463

	Groom	Bride
Names:	Charles S. Shepard	Mary B. Archer
Ages on (date):	32 on 21 Jun 1917	35 on 17 May 1917
Residence:	Belpre, OH	Belpre, OH
Place of Birth:	St. Albans, WV	Noble Co., OH
Occ:	Brakman - B&O	Teaching
Father:	John Shepard	Ackison Archer
Mother:	Virginia Cadwallender	Rosa A. Moore
Previously married:	No	No - Not a widow
Date of Application:	28 Nov 1917
Date of Marriage:	28 Nov 1917

Performed by:

F.J. Bauman,

[GWA comment: Mary B. Archer (Atkinson, Jacob, James, James, Patrick)]

Marriage Record Vol 20 p. 114

Groom Bride

Names: Walter Harold Archer Genevieve Etta Reid

Ages on (date): 21 on 2 Aug 1918 20 on 12 Nov 1918

Residence: Marietta, OH Marietta, OH

Place of Birth: Sarahsville, OH Gayly, Pa

Occ: Oil and gas producer

Father: John S. Archer William H. Reid

Mother: Emma Cleon Hesson Caroline McLaughlin

Previously married: No No - Not Widowed

Date of Application: 31 May 1919

Date of Marriage: 2 June 1919

Performed by: F.M. Noesman, Pastor St. Mary's Church, Marietta, OH

[GWA comment: Walter Harold Archer (John, Daniel, Simon, Michael, James, Patrick).]

Marriage Record Vol 21 p. 11

Groom Bride

Names: Douglas R. Foley Aenid Virginia Archer

Ages on (date): 23 on 6 Dec 1920 22 on 23 Mar 1921

Residence: Parkersburg, WV Belpre, Washington Co., OH

Place of Birth: Parkersburg, WV Belpre, Washington Co., OH

Occ: Federal Board National Woolen Mills

Father: M. Fillmore Foley Spencer Archer

Mother: Mary Brown Mary Friedlein

Previously married: No No - Not widowed

Date of Application: 23 Jul 1921

Date of Marriage: 24 Jul 1921

Performed by: William Schruff, Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church

[GWA comment: Aenid Virginia Archer (Spencer, Enoch, Joseph James, Patrick). Spencer was living in Parkersburg, WV at the time. If you cannot find people in Parkersburg, always check in Washington Co., OH records.]

Marriage Record Vol 21 p. 272

Groom Bride

Names: Leverett Earl Davis Helen Isabel Archer

Ages on (date): 30 on 6 May 1922 28 on 5 Jul 1922

Residence: Marietta, OH Marietta, OH

Place of Birth: Dexter City, OH Buffalo, NY

Occ: National Refining Co. Employee Stenographer

Father: Noble Davis Lenox D. Archer

Mother: Ada Broom Carrie Hickman

Previously married: No No - Not widow

Date of Application: 23 Jan 1923

Date of Marriage: 25 Jan 1923

Performed by: Frank N. Lynch, Pastor First Methodist Church

[GWA comment: Helen Isabel Archer (Lennox Barnes, David McGarry, Jacob, James, Patrick). Lennox Barnes Archer b.28 May 1865, married Carrie Ellen Heckman who was b. 25 Feb 1871, Parker City, PA. He moved around quite a bit. I presume he married somewhere near where Helen, the eldest daughter, was born, 5 Jul 1894, Buffalo, NY. Lennox and Carrie's other girls were born in Evans City, PA, Corn Wallace, WV and Sugar Grove, OH. Lennox d. 26 Sep 1902. All four daughters were married in Washington Co., OH during the period 1923-1925, twenty one years after Lennox died, 26 Sep 1902, age 37. He is buried in the Sarahsville Cem, Noble Co, OH . His wife's place and date of death are still unknown, but I'd presume she was somewhere near the daughters who were in their mid-twenties when they married. Carrie remarried on 18 Dec 1903 to F.G. Cunningham. Martin Archer in his "Genealogical History" calls him Leonard on pp. 11,73 but Lenox on p. 30.]

Marriage Record Vol 21 p. 437

Groom Bride

Names: Dale Leslie Bradford Mary Gertrude Archer

Ages on (date): 23 on 8 Mar 1923 26 on 14 Jan 1923

Residence: Williamstown, WV Marietta, OH

Place of Birth: Waverly, WV Evans City, Pa

Occ: B&O Clerk Cashier

Father: James Henry Bradford Lennox Barnes Archer

Mother: Vena Myer Carrie Heckman

Previously married: No No - not widow

Date of Application: 21 Nov 1923

Date of Marriage: 21 Nov 1923 A.J. Patterson, Minister

Performed by:

[GWA comment: Helen Isabel Archer (Lennox Barnes, David McGarry, Jacob, James, Patrick)]

Marriage Record Vol 21 p. 470

	Groom	Bride
Names:	Harry Clifford Kidwell	Henrietta Elizabeth Archer
Ages on (date):	23 on 16 Jan 1923	21 on 2 Jan 1924
Residence:	Belpre, OH	Belpre, OH
Place of Birth:	Parkersburg, WV	Belpre, OH
Occ:	Railroad employee
Father:	Harry R. Kidwell	Spencer Archer
Mother:	Frances E. Lowther	Mary Friedlein
Previously married:	Once (Divorced from Alma Kidwell on 5 Dec 1923, Wood Co., WV)	No - not widow
Date of Application:	14 Jan 1924
Date of Marriage:	14 Jan 1924

Performed by:

Hal H. Lloyd, Minister, Marietta, OH

[GWA comment: Aenid Virginia Archer (Spencer, Enoch, Joseph James, Patrick). Spencer was living in Parkersburg, WV at the time.]

Marriage Record Vol 21 p. 529

	Groom	Bride
Names:	Earl Mitchell Cunningham	Grace Louise Archer
Ages on (date):	24 on 24 Aug 1923	26 on 1 Jun 1924
Residence:	Marietta, OH	Marietta, OH
Place of Birth:	Marietta, OH	Corn Wallace, WV
Occ:	Salesman	Clerk
Father:	William Cunningham	Lenox B. Archer
Mother:	Charlotte Ackley	Carrie Ellen Heckman
Previously married:	No	No not widow
Date of Application:	3 Jul 1924
Date of Marriage:	3 Jul 1924

Performed by:

Thomas B. Roberts, D. D., Minister of the Gospel

[GWA comment: Helen Isabel Archer (Lennox Barnes, David McGarry, Jacob, James, Patrick)]

Washington Co., OH, Marriage Record Vol 22 p. 107

	Groom	Bride
Names:	Daniel Wesley Archer	Thelma Ardath Marsh
Ages on (date):	22 on 4 Sep 1924	22 on 27 Aug 1924
Residence:	Marietta, OH	Marietta, OH
Place of Birth:	Gallipolis, OH	Cambridge,OH
Occ:	Student	Teacher
Father:	John Wesley Archer	Lea F. Marsh
Mother:	Inez D. Blazier	Clara Smith
Previously married:	No	No - not widow
Date of Application:	2 Feb 1925
Date of Marriage:	2 Feb 1925

Performed by:

F. N. Lynch, Pastor Central M.E. Church, Zanesville, OH

[GWA comment: Daniel Wesley Archer (John, John, Henry). There seems to be no connection Patrick's line at all. Danie's father, John Wesley Archer b. 26 Oct 1858, Clay , Gallia Co, OH, d. 20 Mar 1934, Gallipolis Ferry, Mason Co., WV md. Inez DeWitt Blazer.
I have more on the ancestry for those searching this line. Notice this is a case of the license being issued in Washington Co. but the marriage taking place in Muskingum Co. This is why it is important to record both the license and minister's return and not use the license date as a date and place of marriage as is so often done in published genealogies.]

Washington Co., OH, Marriage Record Vol 22 p. 237

	Groom	Bride
Names:	Joseph Edgar Kennedy	Florence Lennox Archer
Ages on (date):	23 on 6 Jul 1925	26 on 23 Aug 1925
Residence:	Parkersburg, WV	Marietta, OH
Place of Birth:	Fly, OH	Sugar Grove, OH
Occ:	Salesman	Press feeder
Father:	Josiah Kennedy	Lennox Archer
Mother:	Elizabeth Small	Carrie Heckman
Previously married:	No	No - not widowed
Date of Application:	10 Oct 1925
Date of Marriage:	10 Oct 1925

Performed by:

Thomas B. Roberts, D.D. Minister of the Gospel

[GWA comment: Helen Isabel Archer (Lennox Barnes, David McGarry, Jacob, James, Patrick).]

Marriage Record Vol 23 p. 465

	Groom	Bride
Names:	C.E. Gandee	Adda L. Archer
Ages on (date):	24 on 9 Mar 1929	22 on 16 Jun 1928
Residence:	Marietta, OH	Marietta, OH
Place of Birth:	Spencer, WV	Akron, OH
Occ:	Machinist	Housework
Father:	H.E. Gandee	G.A. Archer
Mother:	Dave (sic) Hartman	Carrie Batlin
Previously married:	No	No - not widow
Date of Application:	4 May 1929
Date of Marriage:	4 May 1929

Performed by:

Herman Sayre, Minister

[GWA comment: Ada Archer (Granville, George, Elisha, James, Joseph, James, Patrick)]

Marriage Record Vol 23 p. 488

	Groom	Bride
Names:	E. Clair Archer	Ruby E. Conley
Ages on (date):	21 on 10 Sep 1928	21 on 11 Dec 1928
Residence:	Gay, WV	Marietta, OH
Place of Birth:	Gay, WV	Zona, WV
Occ:	Rubber work	Viscos work
Father:	Guy Archer	Ferd Conley
Mother:	Lillie Romine	Dema Herdman
Previously married:	No	No- not widow
Date of Application:	8 Jun 1929
Date of Marriage:	8 Jun 1929

Performed by:

George H. Heizer, Pastor First M.E. Church

[GWA comment: Ernest Clair Archer (Guy, Clarence, David, John, Michael, Joseph, James, Patrick)]

Marriage Record Vol 23 p. 556

	Groom	Bride
Names:	Orville E. Wolfe	Helen Louise Archer
Ages on (date):	28 on 13 Mar 1929	23 on 30 Oct 1928
Residence:	Marietta, OH	Marietta, OH
Place of Birth:	Pomroy, OH	Marietta, OH
Occ:	Teacher	Teacher
Father:	George T. Wolfe	John S. Archer
Mother:	Nettie A. Hood	Emma C. Hesson
Previously married:	No	No - not widow
Date of Application:	27 Aug 1929
Date of Marriage:	29 Aug 1929

Performed by:

Rev. J. Herman, Pastor, St. Mary's Church

[GWA comment: Helen Louise Archer (John Sebastian, Daniel, Simon, Michael, James, Patrick)]

Marriage Record Vol 24 p. 429

	Groom	Bride
Names:	Ivan A. Wittekind	Mae Archer
Ages on (date):	24 on 24 Apr 1931	22 on 5 Jul 1931
Residence:	Marietta, OH	Marietta, Rt. 8, OH
Place of Birth:	Marietta, OH	Fifteen, OH
Occ:	Painter	None
Father:	W.O. Wittekind	N. A. Archer
Mother:	Mae Wellbrook	Ida M. Warfield
Previously married:	No	No- not widow
Date of Application:	14 Dec 1936
Date of Marriage:	19 Dec 1931

Performed by:

Hal H. Lloyd, Minister, Marietta, OH

[GWA comment: Mae Archer daughter of Norman Albert Archer and Ida May Warfield. There is a fairly strong circumstantial case that Mae's ancestry is: (Norman, Simon, Mathew, Jacob, James, Patrick)]

(Vol 25 - no Archers listed)

Marriage Record Vol 26 p. 548

	Groom	Bride
Names:	Harley Ross Morrison	Clara Rose Archer
Ages on (date):	21 on 16 Feb 1940	19 on 31 Mar 1939
Residence:	Caldwell, OH	Rathbone, Washington Co, OH
Place of Birth:	Caldwell, OH	Caldwell, OH
Occ:	Farming	Housework
Father:	Irvin Morrison	William Archer
Mother:	Columbia Roe	Cecilia Crum
Previously married:	No	No - not widow
Date of Application:	30 Mar 1940
Date of Marriage:	3 Apr 1940

Performed by:

William Robbu, Pastor, Pastor, St. Mary's Church

[GWA comment: Clara Rose Archer (William, Sylvanus, Simon, Nathan, James, Patrick)]

(Vol 27- No Archers)

Marriage Record Vol 28 p. 94

	Groom	Bride
Names:	Walter Harold Archer, Jr	Martha Anne Jennings
Ages on (date):	21 on 22 May 1941	19 on 11 May 1941
Residence:	Marietta, OH	Marietta, OH
Place of Birth:	Marietta, OH	Clarksburg, WV
Occ:	Salesman
Father:	W. H. Archer	Cleveland P. Jennings, dcd.
Mother:	Genevieve Reed	Alice Cleary
Previously married:	No
Date of Application:	30 Jan 1942
Date of Marriage:	9 Feb 1942

Performed by:

William Robbin, St. Mary's Catholic Church, Marietta

[GWA comment: Walter Harold Archer, Jr. (Walter, John, Daniel, Simon, Michael, James, Patrick). The correct spelling for his mother is Genevieve Reid.]

Marriage Record Vol 28 p. 217

	Groom	Bride
Names:	Richard T. Thomas Armor	Carolyn Ann Archer
Ages on (date):	19 on 12 Oct 1942	17 on 27 Dec 1944
Residence:	Marietta, OH	Marietta, OH
Place of Birth:	Marietta, OH	Marietta, OH
Occ:	Tool dresser
Father:	Louis Armar	Walter Archer
Mother:	Nellie Vean	Jennieve Ried
Previously married:
Date of Application:	20 Oct 1942
Date of Marriage:	20 Oct 1942

Performed by:

William Robbin, Minister, Marietta, OH

[GWA comment: Carolyn Ann Archer, (Walter, John, Daniel, Simon, Michael, James, Patrick).]

(Marriage Record Vol 29- no Archers)

Marriage Record Vol 30 p. 335

	Groom	Bride
Names:	John W. Archer	Betty J. Kellar
Ages on (date):	23 on 2 Mar 1950	20 on 21 Jan 1950
Residence:	Marietta, OH	Marietta, OH
Place of Birth:	Marietta, OH	Doddridge, WV
Occ:	Student	Cost clerk
Father:	W. H. Archer	James C. Kellar
Mother:	Genevieve Reid	Sylvia Gaskins
Previously married:	no	no
Date of Application:	22 May 1950
Date of Marriage:	24 May 1950

Performed by:

Rev. Edwin F. Murphy, Marietta, OH

[GWA comment: John W. Archer, (Walter, John, Daniel, Simon, Michael, James, Patrick)]

(Marriage Record Vol 31- no Archers listed)

Marriage Record Vol 32 p. 199

	Groom	Bride
Names:	George R. Brookhart	Betty K. Archer
Ages on (date):	20 on 5 Apr 1956	20 on 14 Oct 1955
Residence:	Belpre, OH	Belpre, OH
Place of Birth:	Belpre, OH	Belpre, OH
Occ:	Laborer	Dispatcher
Father:	George D. Brookhart	Thomas D. Archer, Jr
Mother:	Jessie Pennybacker	Madelin Plant
Previously married:	No	Yes- now divorced	(formerly Betty K. Carpenter, restored to maiden name, Betty Kathlyn Archer, divorced on 27 Apr 1955, case no. 23,460, Washington Co, OH; former husband was Jack Dempsey Carpenter.)
Date of Application:	17 Jul 1956
Date of Marriage	21 Jul 1956

Performed by:

E.M. Shelton, Minister, Belpre, OH

[GWA comment: Betty Kathlyn Archer (Thomas Denver, Thomas Denver, Israel, Enoch, Joseph, James, Patrick)]

(Marriage Record Vol 33- no Archers listed)

Marriage Record Vol 34 p. 70

	Groom	Bride
Names:	Guy Gene Mullen	Ann Jennings Archer
Ages on (date):	20 of 5 Nov 1962	19 on 12 Feb 1963
Residence:	Marietta, OH	Marietta, OH
Place of Birth:	Marietta, OH	Marietta, OH
Occ:	Draftsman	Secretary
Father:	Bryson Mullen	Walter Herald Archer
Mother:	Alta Luke	Martha Jennings
Previously married:	No	No - not widow
Date of Application:	11 May 1963
Date of Marriage:	25 May 1963

Performed by:

Rev. Edwin F. Murphy of Marietta, OH (Catholic marriage)

[GWA comment: Ann Jennings Archer (Walter, Walter, John, Daniel, Simon, Michael, James, Patrick)]

Marriage Record Vol 34 p. 124

	Groom	Bride
Names:	Charles Lee Archer	Carrol Jeanette Brown
Ages on (date):	23 on 1 Jul 1963	19 on 23 Aug 1962
Residence:	Belpre, OH	Rt. 1, Vincent, OH
Place of Birth:	Sandyville, WV	Lebanon, VA
Occ:	Service operator-Dupont Co.	Secretary at Wunder Shoe Store, Parkersburg WV
Father:	Glenn Archer	Clarence Walter Brown
Mother:	Vivian Frances Farley	Madelin Margaret Castle
Previously married:	No	No - not widow
Date of Application:	21 Aug 1963
Date of Marriage:	7 Sep 1963

Performed by:

Edward T. Myers, Methodist Minister 2141 Washington Blvd., Belpre, OH

[GWA comment: There is a strong circumstantial case based, on his parents, birth date and place as Sandyville, WV that his ancestry would be: (Glen, William, Nathan, Joseph, James, Patrick)]

Marriage Record Vol 35 p. 3

	Groom	Bride
Names:	Charles Franklin Mooney, Jr.	Jane Ellen Archer
Ages on (date):	24 on 21 Oct 1965	20 on 28 Apr 1966
Residence:	Marietta, OH	Marietta, OH
Place of Birth:	Marietta, OH	Marietta, OH
Occ:	Student	Lab Technician
Father:	Charles Franklin Mooney, Sr.	Walter Harold Archer, Jr.
Mother:	Mary Marie Hill	Martha Jennings
Previously married:	No	No -not widow
Date of Application:	20 Aug 1966
Date of Marriage:	3 Sep 1966

Performed by:

William J. Konus, (Catholic) Priest, Marietta, OH

[GWA comment: Jane Ellen Archer (Walter, Walter, John, Daniel, Simon, Michael, James, Patrick)]

Marriage Record Vol 35 p. 144

	Groom	Bride
Names:	David Michael Archer	Arlene Marie Tornes
Ages on (date):	22 on 9 Sep 1966	22 on 8 Jul 1967
Residence:	Marietta, OH	Marietta, OH
Place of Birth:	Marietta, OH	Marietta, OH
Occ:	Apprentice pipe fitter	Secretary
Father:	James Regis Archer	Alfred Joseph Tornes
Mother:	Ethel Cochran	Hilda L. Thieman
Previously married:	No	No - not widow
Date of Application:	10 Jul 1967
Date of Marriage:	15 Jul 1967

Performed by:

Norbert Connelly, Catholic Priest, 506 4th St., Marietta, OH

[GWA comment: David Michael Archer (James, Walter, John, David, Simon, Michael, James, Patrick)]

Marriage Record Vol 35 p. 432

	Groom	Bride
Names:	James William Archer	Rebecca Ann Stalnaker
Ages on (date):	21 on 22 Jul 1968	21 on 6 Jul 1968
Residence:	Marietta, OH	Marietta, OH
Place of Birth:	Marietta, OH	Weston, WV
Occ:	Student	Teacher
Father:	James Regis Archer	Guy Stalnaker, Jr.
Mother:	Ethel A. Cochran	Grace Louise Howard
Previously married:	No	No - not widow
Date of Application:	17 Dec 1968
Date of Marriage:	27 Dec 1968

Performed by:

Rev. George R. Shipman, Asst. Pastor, St. Mary's (Catholic), 506 4th St., Marietta, OH

[GWA comment: James William Archer (James, Walter, John, David, Simon, Michael, James, Patrick)]

(Marriage Record Vol 36- no Archers listed)

Marriage Record Vol 37 p. 181

	Groom	Bride
Names:	Bruce Albert Hiener	Theresa Ann Archer
Ages on (date):	19 on 15 Sep 1972	18 on 13 Jul 1972
Residence:	Marietta, OH	Marietta, OH
Place of Birth:	Marietta, OH	Columbus, OH
Occ:	Dereks	Secretary
Father:	Robert Eugene Hiener	John William Archer
Mother:	Rita Hockenbery	Betty June Kellar
Previously married:	No	No -not widow
Date of Application:	14 Jun 1973
Date of Marriage:	23 Jun 1973

Performed by:

Msgr. Robert H. Punke, Pastor, Marietta.

[GWA comment: Theresa Ann Archer (John, Walter, John, Daniel, Simon, Michael, James, Patrick)]

Marriage Record Vol 37 p. 544

	Groom	Bride
Names:	Michael Lynn Russell	Nancy Marie Archer
Ages on (date):	20 on 26 Dec 1973	20 on 23 Jul 1974
Residence:	Marietta, OH	Marietta, OH
Place of Birth:	Marietta, OH	Marietta, OH
Occ:	Carpenter	Clerk
Father:	Donald Howard Russell	Walter H. Archer
Mother:	La Verne Aileen Morris	Martha Ann Jennings
Previously married:	No	No -not widow
Date of Application:	20 Nov 1974
Date of Marriage:	29 Nov 1974

Performed by:

Robert H. Punke, Pastor, Marietta.

[GWA comment: Nancy Marie Archer (Walter, Walter, John, Daniel, Simon, Michael, James, Patrick)]

Marriage Record Vol 38 p. 635

	Groom	Bride
Names:	Randall Lee Fleeman	Teresa Rose Archer
Ages on (date):	22 on 5 Oct 1976	21 on 29 Nov 1976
Residence:	Rt.2, Lower Salem, OH	Rt. 2, Lower Salem, OH
Place of Birth:	Marietta, OH	Zanesville, OH
Occ:	Maintenance
Father:	Ralph Fleeman	Paul Everett Archer
Mother:	Eva Elaine Lallathin	Leoba C. Hupp
Previously married:	No	No - not widow
Date of Application:	3 Jun 1977
Date of Marriage:	7 Jun 1977

Performed by:

Geoffrey D. Brunton, Mayor of Marietta, 301 Putnam St.

[GWA comment: Teresa Rose Archer (Paul, John, Robert, Elijah, Michael, James, Patrick)]

Marriage Record Vol 38 p. 264

	Groom	Bride
Names:	James Reed Archer, Jr	Priscilla Jo Schilling
Ages on (date):	23 on 8 Nov 1975	17 on 21 Feb 1976
Residence:	Caldwell, OH	Lowell, OH
Place of Birth:	Noble Co., OH	Marietta, OH
Occ:	Bricklayer
Father:	James Reed Archer, Sr.	Wayne Schilling
Mother:	Marilyn Jean Eichhorn	Karen Griffin
Previously married:	No	No - not widow
Date of Application:	23 Feb 1976
Date of Marriage:	6 Mar 1976

Performed by:

Marshall H. Peterson, Minister United Methodist Church, Caldwell, OH

[GWA comment: James Reed Archer, Jr. (James, Cicero, Stephen, James, James, James, Patrick). This was a first marriage; he married 2. Sharon Lynn Foraker.]

Marriage Record Vol 38 p. 429

	Groom	Bride
Names:	Larry Paul Archer	Lynette Knoch
Ages on (date):	24 on 18 Feb 1976	26 on 22 Nov 1975
Residence:	Rt. 1, Lower Salem, OH	Rt. 1, Lower Salem, OH
Place of Birth:	Marietta, OH	Marietta, OH
Occ:	Construction	Teacher's Aide
Father:	Paul Leo Archer	George Farley, Jr.
Mother:	Rita Louise Huffman	Mary Margaret Sullivan
Previously married:	No	Once -now divorced	Maiden name: Lynette Farley; date of divorce:1-8-75, case 74DR445, Washington Co., OH. Minor Children: Anthony Knoch, age 5; former husband: Richard Neal Knoch.
Date of Application:	23 Aug 1976
Date of Marriage:	27 Aug 1976

Performed by:

Geoffrey D. Brunton, Mayor of Marietta, 301 Putnam St.

[GWA comment: Larry Paul Archer (Paul, Wiliam, Sylvanus, Simon, Nathan, James, Patrick)]

Date of Application:

Date of Marriage/Performed by: by

Marriage Record Vol 39 p. 281

	Groom	Bride
Names:	Robert Lee Cumberledge	Beverly Sue Archer
Ages on (date):	27 on 18 Aug 1977	26 on 24 Nov 1976
Residence:	Parkersburg, WV	Ox Bow, OH
Place of Birth:	Parkersburg, WV	Parkersburg, WV
Occ:	Carpenter	Decorator
Father:	Carl Robert Cumberledge	Frank Christy Archer
Mother:	Kathleen Kay Hawk	Nettie Lucile Bailey
Previously married:	No	No - not widow
Date of Application:	21 Nov 1977
Date of Marriage:	23 Dec 1977

Performed by:

Rev. Paul R. Knierim, Pastor, PO 295, Belpre, OH

[GWA comment: Beverly Sue Archer (Frank, Stephen, Samuel, Simon, James, Patrick)]

Marriage Record Vol 39 p. 321

	Groom	Bride
Names:	Steven Richard Archer	Mary Lou Larrick
Ages on (date):	20 on 20 Jul 1977	20 on 17 Dec 1977
Residence:	Marietta, OH	Rt. 1, Lore City, OH
Place of Birth:	Marietta, OH	Cambridge, OH
Occ:	Laborer
Father:	John William Archer	Arthur Ellis Larrick
Mother:	Betty June Kellar	Betty Lou Green
Previously married:	No	No - not widow
Date of Application:	20 Dec 1977
Date of Marriage:	31 Dec 1977

Performed by:

Robert H. Punke, Pastor, 506 4th St., Marietta. (Catholic marriage)

[GWA comment: Steven Richard Archer (John, Walter, John, Daniel, Simon, Michael, James, Patrick)]

Marriage Record Vol 40 p. 20

	Groom	Bride
Names:	Russell Guy Newell	Sarah Lea Archer
Ages on (date):	22 on 18 Jul 1978	25 on 5 Nov 1977
Residence:	Ocracoke, Hyde Co, NC	Marietta, OH
Place of Birth:	Newburn, NC	Marietta, OH
Occ:	Self-employed	Self-Employed
Father:	Russell Emerson Newell	Walter Harold Archer, Jr.
Mother:	Dora Corinne Matthis	Martha Ann Jennings
Previously married:	No	No - not widow
Date of Application:	26 Jul 1978
Date of Marriage:	16 Sep 1978

Performed by:

Robert H. Punke, Pastor, 506 4th St., Marietta, OH.

[GWA comment: Sarah Lea Archer (Walter, Walter, John, Daniel, Simon, Michael, James, Patrick)]

Marriage Record Vol 40 p. 346

	Groom	Bride
Names:	Delbert Wayne Bainegar	Laurie Jane Archer
Ages on (date):	22 on 6 Feb 1979	17 on 10 May 1978
Residence:	Marietta, OH	Marietta, OH
Place of Birth:	Marietta, OH	Marietta, OH
Occ:	Custodian	Sale Clerk-Cashier
Father:	Delbert Laverne Bainegar	John William Archer
Mother:	Julie Della Lightfritz	Betty June Kellar
Previously married:	No	No - not widow
Date of Application:	9 Mar 1979
Date of Marriage:	24 Mar 1979

Performed by:

Robert H. Punke, Pastor, 506 4th St., Marietta, OH

[GWA comment: Laurie Jane Archer, (John, Walter, John, Daniel, Simon, Michael, James, Patrick)]

(Marriage Record Vol 41-42 - No Archers listed; Vol 43 was missing, and there is a one year gap in dates of licenses issued between Vol 42 and Vol 44. Vol 42 ends with issue date 21 Jul 1981. Vol 44 begins with date 13 Aug 1982.)

Marriage Record Vol 45 p. 231

	Groom	Bride
Names:	Steven Richard Archer	Janice Lee Stanford
Ages on (date):	26 on 20 Jul 1983	33 on 4 Jul 1983
Residence:	Marietta, OH	Marietta, OH
Place of Birth:	Marietta, OH	West Salem, IL
Occ:	Parts Clerk
Father:	John William Archer	William Eugene Willard
Mother:	Betty June Kellar	Kay Irene Verraneault
Previously married:	Once-lst wife: Mary L. Larrick, CCP Washington Co., OH, 9-8-80, case #80 D-410	Twice- #1Gary Wymer; ch: Grant E. Wymer, 13 Robyn M. Wymer, 12 CCP Morgan Co, OH 2-18-76 Case # CI-75-112 #2 James R. Sanford; CCP Noble Co, OH 7-18-1981; Case #81-33
Date of Application:	3 Jan 1984
Date of Marriage	9 Jan 1984

Performed by:

Gary E. Combs, Minister, PO Box 809, Marietta, OH

[GWA comment: Steven Richard Archer, (John, Walter, John, Daniel, Simon, Michael, James, Patrick)]

to Washington County Index

WASHINGTON CO., OHIO BIRTH RECORDS

(Editor's Comment: The records below were acquired by using the index, however, there appeared to be a page missing from the index which would cover the approximate period 1900 to 31 Mar 1901. To get around this missing page, I made a page-by-page search of the first 128 entries covering the period not covered by the index and did find the entries missing in the index. Moral: use indexes with caution!)

Birth Record Vol 4

(After 20 Dec 1908, births in Ohio were required by law to be recorded with the State Dept of Health, but they are also recorded at the county or city Health Dept. The records below are in the Clerk's Office of the Probate Court in the Washington Co. Court House; the Health Dept. records were not consulted.

More recent births are recorded at the county level in "Record of Registration of Births" Vols l-ll (l3 Oct 1941-9 Jul 1954).

These births are indexed in the Index to the General Probate.)

Birth Record No.: 328
Name: Anna Archer
Date Born: 28 Apr 1900
Place Born: Liberty Twp, Washington Co., OH
Father: Norman Archer
Mother: Mary E. McKenna
Parents' Residence: Liberty Twp, Washington Co, OH
[GWA comment: This is an odd entry; There is no Mary E. McKenna in any record I have been able find. This is the only Norman of Liberty Twp, Washington Co., OH. Conclusion: the mother is Ida Warfield but the child was born 6 weeks after their marriage on 15Feb 1900. Draw you own conclusions. If they are the parents the parents there is a fairly strong circumstantial case that his ancestry is: (Norman, Simon, Mathew, Jacob, James, Patrick)]

Birth Record Vol 4
Birth Record No.: 1169
Name: Glenn Archer
Date Born: 20 Sep 1901
Place Born: Liberty Twp, Washington Co, OH
Father: Norman Archer
Mother: Ida Warfield
Parents' Residence: Liberty Twp, Noble Co., OH
[GWA comment: Son of Norman Albert Archer and Ida May Warfield. There is a fairly strong circumstantial case that his ancestry is: (Norman, Simon, Mathew, Jacob, James, Patrick)]

Birth Record No.: 2152
Name: Cecile Marie Archer
Date Born: 12 Mar 1903
Place Born: Marietta City, Washington Co, OH
Father: Grant Archer
Mother: Alice Garrett
Parents' Residence: Muskingum Co., OH
[GWA comment: Cecile Marie Archer (Ulysses Grant, Nathan, Joseph, James, Patrick)]

Birth Record No.: 2923
Name: Grace Archer
Date Born: 14 Apr 1903
Place Born: Liberty Twp, Washington Co, OH
Father: Charles Archer
Mother: Nancy Blair
Parents' Residence: Liberty Twp, Washington Co., OH
[GWA comment: Grace Archer (Charles, Mathew, Jacob, James, Patrick)]

Birth Record No.: 3452
Name: Florence Frances Archer
Date Born: 31 Jan 1904
Place Born: Waterford Twp, Washington Co, OH
Father: R.H. Archer
Mother: Ida Watfred
Parents' Residence: Waterford Twp, Washington Co, OH
[GWA comment: Not identified. This does not seem to be an erroneous entry for Norman Archer and Ida Warfield, as they had another child in this time period and did not live in Waterford Twp.]

Birth Record No.: 3876
Name: Gertrude Archer
Date Born: 28 Aug 1904
Place Born: Liberty Twp, Washington Co, OH
Father: Charles Archer
Mother: Nancy Blair
Parents' Residence: Liberty Twp, Washington Co, OH
[GWA comment: Grace Archer (Charles, Mathew, Jacob, James, Patrick)]

Birth Record Vol 4
Birth Record No.: 4918 (birth correction dtd 18 Jul 1962 in Journal 70-331)
Name: Helen Louise Archer
Date Born: 30 Oct 1906 1905 (1906 crossed out)
Place Born:
Father: John Sebastian Archer
Mother: Emma Cleona Hesson
Parents' Residence: Marrietta, OH
[GWA comment: Helen Louise Archer (John Sebastian, Daniel, Simon, Michael, James, Patrick)]

Birth Record No.:
Name: Harold Bernard Archer
Date Born: 15 May 1907
Place Born: Liberty Twp, Washington Co, OH
Father: Norman Archer
Mother: Ida M. Warfield
Parents' Residence: Fifteen, OH
[GWA comment: Son of Norman Albert Archer and Ida May Warfield. There is a fairly strong circumstantial case that his ancestry is: (Norman, Simon, Mathew, Jacob, James, Patrick)]

Birth Record No.: 8607
Name: A. Ananias Archer
Date Born: 26 June 1913
Place Born: Marietta, OH
Father: Clarence A. Archer
Mother: Gladys Robinson
Parent's Residence: Marietta, OH
[GWA comment: Clarence A. Archer possible ancestry: (Martin, Martin, Michael, Joseph James, Patrick). He was declared incompetent and put under the care of a guardianship with a possible name change as Claude Wendelken, (adoption by guardians? - see below]

to Washington County Index

CORRECTED BIRTH APPLICATION RECORDS

Record of Registration of Births Vol 10, p. 41 - Box 1455

Full Name at Birth: Thomas Denver Archer
(Birth not registered in Monroe Co., OH)
Born: b. 26 Oct 1912 0600 M. Legitimate
Father: Thomas Denver Archer, Sr. Age at time of birth: 33
Birthplace of Father: Rockport, WV
Father's Occ: oil field worker
Residence at time of birth: Sycamore Valley, OH, Monroe Co.
Mother's Maiden Name: Luzetta Lindamood Age at time of birth:29
Birthplace: Sycamore Valley, OH Occ: Housewife
Res: Sycamore Valley, OH
No. of Previous children born to mother: 0
Attending Physician: Dr. Tedders, Harrietsville, Noble Co., OH
Applicant: Thomas D. Archer, Jr. 317 Maple St., Belpre, OH
Date of Application: 2 Nov 1951
Supporting Affadavit: Father-Thomas Denver Archer, Sr. 901 1/2 Virginia Ave, Parkersburg, WV, 2 Nov 1951
Mother-Luzetta Archer 901 1/2 Virginia Ave, Parkersburg, WV.
[GWA comment: Thomas Denver, Jr (Thomas Denver, Israel, Enoch, Joseph, James, Patrick)]

Vol 10, p. 473- Box 1455

Full Name at Birth: Walter Harold Archer
(Birth not registered in Noble Co., Ohio)
Born: 2 Aug 1897, Sararhsville, Noble Co., OH Legitimate
Father: John Sebastian Archer Age at time of birth: 33
Birthplace of Father: Carlisle, Noble Co., OH
Father's Occ: Miller- mill owner
Residence at time of birth: Sarahsville, OH
Mother's Maiden Name: Emma Cleona Hesson Age at time of birth:32
Birthplace: Carlisle, OH Occ: Housewife
Residence: Sarahsville, OH
No. of Previous children born to mother: 3
No. of children living at time of applicant's birth: 1
No. of children born dead: 2
Attending Physician: Not known
Applicant: Walter Harold Archer 422 7th St., Marietta, OH
Date of Application: 11 Jan 1952
Supporting Affadavit: Florenze S. Mautz, 408 Front St., Marietta, OH 11 Jan 1952.
[GWA comment: Walter Harold Archer (John Sebastian, Daniel, Simon, Michael, James, Patrick)]

Delayed and Corrected Birth Register, Vol 5A, p. 165

Full Name at Birth: Earl Forest Archer
(Not previously recorded at Probate Court, Washington Co., OH)
Born: 10 May 1904 At Home- Liberty Twp., Washington Co, OH
Father: Norman Albert Archer Age at time of birth: 28
Father's Occ: Oil field worker
Residence at time of birth: Fifteen, OH
Mother's Maiden Name: Ida May Warfield Age at time of birth: 23
Birthplace: Fifteen, OH
Occ: Housewife
No. of Previous children born to mother: 5
No. of children living at time of applicant's birth: 3
No. of children born alive but now dead: 1
No. of children born dead: none
Attending Physician: Lizzie Gearhart, Fifteen, OH - midwife
Applicant: Ida M. Archer, 82, 907 Washington St., Marietta,
Date of Application: 13 Jun 1964
(Listed in the Journal entry of 13 Jun 1964 as being the surviving parent)
[GWA comment: Son of Norman Albert Archer and Ida May Warfield. There is a fairly strong circumstantial case that his ancestry is: (Norman, Simon, Mathew, Jacob, James, Patrick)]

Guardian Docket Vol K, p. 485

Guardianship of A. Ananias Archer, aka Claude Wendelken, an incompetent person of Marietta, OH- Case No. 6455
Age : 50
Guardian: Carrie Marie Hupp, Marietta, OH
Date of Appointment: 17 Jan 1964
Bond: $4,000; Surities: Western Surety Co.
Guardian Record 26 18.4: 14 Jan 1964- Notice returned by Sheriff, Washington Co. Service made on Oscar Wendelken and Maude Wendelken.
Guardianship of A. Ananias Archer also known as Claude Wendelken
Age 50 in 1964. Residence: 603 Hart St., Marietta, OH
Next of kin not known but he was reared by Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Wendelken of 603 Hart St., Marietta, OH as a foster mother and father. Oscar Wendelken was 74 and Maude Wendelken was 92 as of Jan 1964. The guardianship for A. Ananias Archer was given by the Court to Carrie Marie Hupp, (step?) sister of A. Ananias Archer after a hearing on 17 Jan 1964. At the hearing the court found that Ananias was incompetent by reason of mental and physical disability. Ananias was living on a check of $73 a month from the Welfare Dept. His birth certificate reads:
A. Ananias Archer, b. 26 June 1913, 2 A.M.
Father: Clarence Ananias Archer, 37, born WV;
Residence: Marietta, OH, occupation- barber;
Mother: Gladys Robinson, 27, b. Marietta, OH,
Physician C.R. Sloan, of Marietta;, Marietta Twp, Washington Co, OH, not legitimate.

to Washington County Index

ARCHER PROBATE RECORDS FROM WASHINGTON CO., OHIO

Washington Co., OH Court of Common Pleas Probate Record, Vol. 1, p. 116.

Estate of Simon Archer
(Editor's Note: This Simon Archer is the son of Patrick of Greene Co., Pa.)
(The material is abstracted unless it is enclosed in quotation marks.)
Entry No. 57.
Inventory of the Goods and Chattels of Simon Archer, deceased:
Total value of estate: $277.24
Appraised by George Comer, William Nixon, Jacob (X) Coffman in Washington Co, OH. Appraisal presented to the Court, 1 Jun 1808.
Ibid., p. 176.
Settlement of the Estate of Simon Archer-Marietta, 3 Oct 1808.
"A record of the deed, debts and demands that are allowed against the estate of Simon Archer, late of Marietta, deceased by the trustees of said estate..." a note in favor of John Holt, $9.99, interest $ .63 1/2; Teastes? on esquire Broughs docket $l.2_ 1/2; note in favor of Iadediah Chase $15.70; costs on Esquire Broughs docket $.55 1/2; note in favor of James White $4; note in favor of Waid Cross $2.80; to Simon Poole's account $5.91 1/2; to Charles Greene account $5.51 1/2; note in favor of Nathaniel Lucas $1.40; to Asa Goodwin's account $7.85; to Nathaniel Goodwin $5.12; to Luke Walpole by assignment on Esquire Edwin Patterson's docket by agreement of the parties $69.30 costs of said $.87; to William S. Gillman $9.50; to Jabez Trues old $26.66; to Samuel Williamson $9; to Benjamin Decoursy $94.71; (all of the above totaled: $270.59 1/2).
"A memorandum of sums allowed in the last sickness and settling of the estate of Simon Archer, late of Marietta, deceased."
To Jacob Coffman, appraising and digging grave $3.
To George Corner - ditto $2; acting as clerk $2.75.
To William Nixon - ditto $2 paid Esquire Hill for administering oath.
To Iams Ryster for a coffin $5.
To Jabez Trues, physician in last sickness $5.50.
To Nancy Archer as administrator $16.87 1/2.
To Robert Williamson as trustee on said estate, 4 days @ $1.50 $6.
To William Hart - ditto on ditto $6.
To Obidiah Lincoln as ditto as ditto 2 days - $3
Totaling: $50.37 1/2 Signed as examiners: Robert Williamson, Obidiah Lincoln, William Hart (the last two examiners were trustees of the estate).

##########################

Washington Co, OH Probate Record Vol. 1 p. 179.

Archer, Simon - Allotment of Widow's (Claims?) in his Estate
"A bill of these articles Nancy Archer claims as her cher (sic-share) as of the estate of Simon Archer, deceased"
(List of household items totaling $56.09 1/2)
Witnesses: Robert Williamson
Signed: Nancy (X) Archer
Archer, Simon- Account of sales of his estates.
A bill of these articles of personal property belonging to the estate of Simon Archer, deceased, chall (sic) were exposed to public sale of 6th day of August 1808 and these items were sold ..." (livestock, poultry) to George Corner, Nancy Archer, Benjamin Racer(?), Nancy Archer, James Ryles, Simon Archer.
Signed: Nancy (X) Archer;
Witnesses: Robert Williamson

Archer, Simon- Settlement of his Estate
"Aug 21, 1809 the trustees of the estate of Simon Archer, deceased to make the following dividend after allow the widow her dower and bed and boarding and allowing the widow $52 for the support of herself and child for one year and do find that the estate is not sufficient to satisfy the bill of the last sickness therefore do make the following dividend..." (makes a reference to Journal Aug Term, 1809 p. 79) and lists names others to whom money was owned by the estate:
To the administrix for her expenses $36.36.
(others listed - not copied here)

Shrieve v. Archer
Record of Common Pleas, Vol. 2, p. 85.
March Term 1797 Washington (County, OH) Circuit Court, Case no. 7.
"Simon Archer of the county of Washington, Yeoman, was attached to answer to Godfrey Shrieve of the same county, husbandman at December Term 1796 in a plea of trespass. For this the said Simon on the 7th day of September of the present day of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six at Marietta aforesaid with force of arms upon the said Godfrey did make an assault and did then and there beat, bruise, wound, and evil intreat (sic) the said Godfrey contrary to the peace and dignity of the United States and the laws of the territory and to the damage to said Godfred as he saith the sum of 50 dollars and (vc) cents. On the second day continued to March term aforesaid to wit on the second day March term, the defendant being solemnly called doeth not appear and thereupon becomes default. Therefore, it is considered by the court that the said Godfrey Shrieve recover of the said Simon Archer the sum of 6 dollars damages and 5 dollars and 83 1/2 cents cost of suit."

Thierry v. Archer
Record of Common Pleas, Vol. 2, p. 93.
March Term 1797 Washington (County, OH) Circuit Court, no. 18.
"Simon Archer of the county aforesaid, laborer, alias Yeoman, was attached to answer to Francis Thierry of Marietta of the county aforesaid, Baker, alias Yeoman, in a plea of the case. For that the said Archer at Marietta aforesaid on the twelfth day of January last, past made and executed is bill or note in writing and directed the same to Samuel Thornly requiring him to pay to the said Thierry the sum of three pounds, 12 shillings, 3 pence equal to 12 dollars and 4 cents, it being for value received.
And whereas afterwards to wit the day and year aforesaid at Marietta aforesaid, the said bill was shown to the said Thornly and then and there required to accept the said bill and make payment of the same sum of 12 dollars and 4 cents according to the form and effect of the said bill and whereas the said Thornly did then and there refuse to accept of the said bill and make payment of the same. By reason of the premises the said Archer ought to have paid the said sum of 12 dollars 4 cents to him the said Thierry- and the said Archer in consideration thereof then and there assumed upon himself and to the said Thierry faithfully promised to pay the same sum of 12 dollars and 4 cents on demand. -- Nevertheless the said Archer regardless (ve?) has never paid the sum aforesaid or any part thereof. He (ve?). To the damage of the said Thierry 30 dollars etc.
On the 4th day of the term the said Archer being solemnly called doeth not answer and, therefore, becomes default. Therefore, it is considered by the court that the said Francis Thierry recover the said Simon Archer the sum of 12 dollars and 4 cents damages together with 5 dollars and 53 cents of suit."

Wizer v. Archer, Domestic Attachment , Discontinued
Record of Common Pleas, Vol. 2, p. 345.
March Term 1801
(There was no text - only a single line entry above)

McGee v. Archer
Record of Common Pleas, Vol. 3, p. 363. December Term 1807
At December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seven, this cause is discontinued. (No further details of this case in this entry.)

State of Ohio v. Simon Archer on an Indictment
(Editor's Note: This is probably Simon Archer (Simon, Patrick), the son of Simon, Sr. who died in 1808. Simon, Jr. remained in Washington Co., OH until about 1823 when he migrated to Ft. Wayne, IN)
Record of Common Pleas, Vol. 9, p. 218. March Term 1819
"Be it remembered heretofore that is to say at the present March Term anno domini one thousand eight hundred and nineteen of the said court of common pleas before the Honorable Ezra Osborn, Esq. President and the honorable Ezekiel Benning, Henry Jolley, and John Sharp, esquires associate judges of the said court held the grand jurors of the said state of Ohio impanelled and sworn a grand jury of inquest for the body of said county Washington among other things on their oath presented an indictment against Simon Archer in the words following.
The state of Ohio Washington County Court of Common Pleas March Term at 1819 the grand jurors of the state of Ohio for the body of the county of Washington aforesaid on their oaths do find that Simon Archer of said county on the third day of February A.D. 1818 at Marietta in said county with force and arms in and upon the body of John Moore in the peace of God and in the state then and there being an assault did make and him the said John Moore did then and there unlawfully strike, wound, and ill treat contrary to the statute in such case made and presided against the peace and dignity of the state provided a true bill. Simon Denning, foreman; Caleb Emerson, prosecuting attorney, (enclosed) a true bill Simon Denning Foreman whereupon came as well Caleb Emerson the prosecuting attorney for the said state of Ohio in this court as the said Simon Archer the defendant in his proper person and said Simon Archer being put plead pleaded guilty to the said indictment and threw himself upon the mercy of the court whereupon sundry witnesses were sworn and examined and said defendant fully heard in mitigation of his offense on consideration whereof it is considered by the court that the defendant the same Simon Archer pay a fine of 1 dollar together with the cost of this prosecution. Now hereby the court taxed(?) at 2 dollars and 51 cents and that the said defendant be in mercy."

Estate of Benjamin Archer Washington Co, OH Probate Record Vol. 1, p. 195-196.
State of Ohio Term of Court 1811
"Ordered by the court that Jacob Coffman, Robert Henry, III, and Duty Greene, James Junior, being duly sworn to appraise the personal estate of Benjamin Archer, late of Wooster, in said county, deceased, agreeably to law."
Signed: 12 Aug 1811 by Country Clerk
An inventory of his goods and livestock. There was a considerable number of tools and household goods listed totaling $364.64 1/2

Benjamin Archer- Administration of his Estate
Ibid. p. 280.
Benjamin Archer, late of Wooster, deceased. Administrator charged himself with the amount of the appraisal $364.64 and made payments for debts. Persons listed to whom money owned, totaling $4236.09, leaving a balance of $128.55. Inventory taken February 1815.

Settlement on Benjamin Archer's Estate Washington Co, OH Court of Common Pleas Docket 1810-1839, p. 80.
John Starlin and Admr. de bonis now on the estate of Benjamin Archer, deceased, and administrator by John L. Deming, farmer, admr on said estate against David Donohew, April term 1814.
Judgement costs for total of $65.68 on 30 Nov 1813.
[GWA comment: His connections, if any, to Patrick Archer are unknown. It is more likely that he not related, as there are no Benjamin's of this age known to be a descendant of Patrick. There were two other Archer lines in the Greene/Washington Cos. PA and Hampshire and Monongalia Cos. (W) VA areas from which he could descend.]

Pearcy Archer v. Josephus Archer
Appearance Docket 2, p. 363.
Divorce proceedings- cause: drunkenness, no. 4370 or 4360.
Divorce granted in Vol. 57, p. 459 papers in box 74.
Petition filed on 24 Jan 1882; copy of petition and summons issued and mailed to defendant at Belleville, Wood Co., WV, 14 Mar 1882; proof of publication filed. May term of court case continued. Nov term divorce granted. (A cursory check of the room where the Appearance Docket was kept did not uncover a volume or box number described. Time did not permit a wider search.)
[GWA comment: Elizabeth Pearcy Capella, first wife of Jocephus Cephas Archer (Michael, Joseph, James, Patrick). He was a prominent vetinary in Jackson Co., WV. He md. 2. Jamin "Minnie" Murphy. Both are buried in the Baptist Cemetery in Silverton, WV.]

to Washington County Index

PROBATED AND INTESTATE ESTATES

Notes on the Records and the Search Strategy
These are abstracts and quotations from the estate settlement papers of various Archers living in Washington Co., Ohio. These records can be found in the Office of the Clerk of the Probate Court.
I began the search by consulting the Administrators and Executors Docket entries which are single line citations of all the records in the Probate Court pertaining to an estate and its settlement.
The docket entries also references loose papers in a Box the number of which is cited after the deceased's name. Some of the more genealogically valuable files in the boxes and references cited in the docket are abstracted below while other references are only cited. The value and the volume of the records in each estate settlement varies depending on whether the decedent had a will or died intestate and also depended on the size and complexity of the administration of the probate. Each item below is a group of records related to the administration of one person.

Washington Co., OH Probate Records

Martin Archer of Marietta Twp.
Box 789.
Administrators and Executors Docket - M, p. 159.
d. 20 Nov l907
Administrator: Sarah J. Archer, PO Box Marietta, OH
Date of Executor's appointment: 11 Dec 1907, Bond $2000.
Sureties: C.M. Carpenter, W.L. Robinson, W.H. Gallag Sr.
Appraisers: Tom McDermath, William Duers, Dalzill Dailey.
Record of Wills Vol. 13, p. 54.
Martin Archer of Marietta, Washington Co, OH left farm in Noble Co., OH "shall be sold immediately after my death" to pay for debts, funeral expenses, and administration of estate (located at Stock Twp, Noble Co, OH S 1/2 of SE 1/4 of SE 1/4 of S. 34, R. 8, T. 7, containing 20.25 A. and E 1/2 of NW 1/4 of NE 1/4 of S. 3 R. 8, T. 6 and NE 1/4 of NE 1/4 of S. 3, T. 6, R. 8 except a tract of 9.80 A off the east side of the NE 1/4 of NE 1/4 of S.3, T.6, R. 8 sold to M. Monroe Archer, containing 51.92 A- the property was put up for sale twice before it sold) Names: Nancy Coleman, dau to receive residual proceeds from sale of farm; wife, Sarah J. to receive household goods, house and lot owned by Martin Archer in Marietta, Washington Co, Ohio for her lifetime and on her death residue and remainder to go to daughter, Nancy Coleman. Executrix. Sarah J. Archer. Signed: Martin (his mark) Archer 23 Oct 1907. Witnesses: John C. Scott, Frank Hill.
(Nancy Coleman also spelled "Nancy E. Kullman" in acknowledgment of the service of the notice of death and filing of will.)
Admitted to probate : 7 Dec 1907. (An Inventory and Administrator's accountings exist but are not abstracted here.)
[GWA comment: Martin V. Archer (Elijah, Michael, James, Patrick) and second wife Sarah Jane Riddle. His first wife was Bertha Jane or Tabitha I./F. Shipley who d. 22 Jan 1868 and is buried in Old St. Michael's Cem, Noble Co, OH.]

Laura Archer From : Washington Co., OH Guardian's Dockets Vol. G, p. 101.
In the matter of the Guardianship of Laura Archer, an alleged imbecile of Marietta Township.
13 Sept 1918 application filed for guardianship appointed for Laura Archer on grounds of imbecility. Notice issued. Hearing 19 Sept 1918 at 10 A.M. 14-292.
[GWA comment: Since I did not pull the records (and they may not still exist except for a Docket entry), there are a few candidates who would have been single women in 1918: Laura Rosella b. 1864 (Milberry, Jacob, James, James, Patrick) - but there no record she or Milberry were ever in Washington Co., OH.]

Alonzo E. Archer

Administrators and Executors Docket - X - Box 1240.
p. 577-
Estate of Alonzo E. Archer of Belpre Village - Box 1240.
d. 7 June 1941.
Executrix: Mabel Grace O'Neal, daughter of Alonzo E. Archer, PO Box Belpre, OH
Date of Executor's appointment: 12 Jun 1941; excused by the will Appraiser: Eber Pride, W.D. Miller, H.W. Bradley.
Record of Wills Vol. 26, p. 357.
Will, dated 24 Nov 1936 - signed by Alonzo E. Archer.
Names: Mrs. Mabel Grace O'Neal, dau.; Children: Earl Homer Archer, Sharon, PA; Mabel Grace O'Neal, Belpre, OH, executrix; Nora Fern Everhart, Belpre, OH; Carroll Rhodes Archer, Parkersburg, WV. Witnesses: Mabel Grace O'Neal, Belpre, OH; Nora Fern Everhart, Belpre, OH Admitted to Probate : 12 Jun 1941. At time of probate, Earl H. Archer aged 53, 240 Elm Ave, Sharon, PA; dau, Mabel Grace O'Neal age 49, 211 Elm St., Belpre, OH; dau Nora F. Everhart, 45, 208 Florence St., Belpre, OH; son, Carroll R. Archer, 42, 1024 Williams St., Parkersburg, WV. Alonzo E. Archer died in Belpre, OH 7 June 1941 and owned village lot, no. 386 in Dana's Addition to Belpre Village located on Elm St.
(Other records not consulted: Journal Vol. 40, p. 52. Bonds and Letters of Administration Vol. 14, p. 235. Inventory Vol. I, p.83. Inventory and Appraisal Vol. 51, p. 453 -(Alonzo had a 7-room dwelling on 213 Elm St. in Belpre, OH)
Scheduled Debts Vol. I, p. 361.
Administrator's Accountings Vol. 47, p. 463.)
[GWA comment: Alonzo E. "Lon" Archer (Henry, Joseph, James, Patrick). At the time he died he was living in Belpre, OH and is buried with his wife, Ella (Rhodes) Archer in the Rockland Cem. in Belpre.]

Ella R. Archer
Administrators and Executors Docket - Vol. V, p. 122.
Ella Archer of Belpre Village- Box 1123.
Will Record 23, p. 548.
Will dated 11 Aug 1927, signed Ella R. Archer, of Belpre, Washington Co., OH. Names: Alonzo E. Archer, husband who receives all property providing he pays to son Earl Homer Archer $5, to dau Mabel Grace Archer $5, to dau Nora Fern Everhart $5, and to son Carroll Rhodes Archer $5. Executor: Alonzo E. Archer. Witnesses: Mabel Grace Archer, Belpre, OH.; Nora Fern Everhart, Belpre, OH.

Journal 31, p. 553.

Will admitted to Admitted to Probate 1 Mar 1935.
(Note: her husband was Alonzo E. Archer, above.)

J.S. Archer
Administrators and Executors Docket - T, p. 499.
J.S.Archer, Marietta City, Ohio-Box 1074.
d. 23 Aug 1931.
Executor: Clyde C. Archer, Parkersburg, WV and Walter H. Archer, (Marietta?) City. Appointed : 26 Sep 1931. Appraisers: O.D. McPherson and W.A. Reed, Clyde Hernon(?).

Will Record 22, p. 198.
Will dated 30 Oct 1930 signed J.S. Archer. Names: Emma C., wife gets all property and on her death to Clyde C. Archer, son; undivided 1/3 part thereof if Clyde's wife Frances survives Clyde; to Walter H. Archer, son; to Helen L. Wolfe, dau. Executors: Clyde C. Archer, Walter H. Archer. Witnesses: Ruth Memke, A.L. Smith.
(Note: data recorded in estate papers- ages of respective children: (residences as of the date of admission to probate)
Emma C., 66 - Residence: 636 4th St.; Clyde C., 45, Res: Parkersburg, WV; Walter H., 34, Res: Marietta, OH; Helen L. Wolfe, 26, Res: Marietta, OH; Widow: Emma C., 66 at time of J.C. Archer's death res: 636 4th St., Marietta, OH. Emma died 8 Nov 1933; J.C. Archer died 23 Aug 1931; the will was admitted to probate on 29 Aug 1931. Minor children named in the appointment of guardianship 16 June 1939 in the estate papers: Walter H., James, Caroline, (the preceding 3 were over 14 years of age), John W., aged 12. Genevieve was guardian of these minor children.
(Children of Helen L. Wolfe?) Janice A. Wolfe aged 5, Robert A. Wolfe, 8. Orville E. Wolfe is the guardian of the Wolfe children.)
J.S. Archer (Cont.)
Journal 26, p. 131
Will admitted to Probate 29 Aug 1931.
(Ruth Menke listed as Ruth Menke McAtee. Helen Wolfe's full name: Helen Louise Wolfe.)
Journal 37, p. 318.
17 June 1939 application for guardianship by A.D. Vitem. Summons made with returns on : Walter H. Archer, Jr., James Archer, Caroline Archer, and John W. Archer, minors and Genevieve.
(Note: This entry was not checked but probably pertains to J.S. Archer's grandchildren.)
In the estate papers there was a promissory note signed by M.F. Archer for $2000, and another promissory note signed by C.C. Archer for $5000. The estate was tied up for 8 years, and during this period the minor heirs were coming of college age and were not able to obtain the money from the estate when needed which was J.S. Archer's intent. The income generated from the estate that had not yet been distributed was inadequate for educational purposes because the banks were lowering their interest rates.
These financial problems arose when life estates were created for the three children but in such a manner that when one of the three died, the remainder of the deceased child's estate went to the succeeding two children so that the grandchildren were not able to make any claim to the estate through their parents' portions until the last of J.S. Archer's children died.)
Addresses of children as of 28 Jul 1939: Helen L. Wolfe 2306 Plumb St., Parkersburg, WV; C.C. Archer 1231 20th St., Parkersburg, WV; Walter H. 422 7th St., Marietta, OH;
[GWA comment: John Sebastian Archer (Daniel, Simon, Michael, James, Patrick)]

Estate of Walter H. Archer
Docket A-C Vol. 00, p. 588.
Case no. 11483- Walter H. Archer Sr.
Will of Walter H. Archer- dated 28 Jan 1947.
Resident of 1105 Colegate Rd., Marietta, OH. Leaves all property to wife Genevieve R. Archer, 73 as of 1972 and then to his children. Witness: Charles D. Fogle, Jr. and Sue Mitchell, both of Marietta. Submitted for probate Sept 1972. He died on 22 Sept 1972. Heirs: Walter H. Archer, Jr., 636 4th St., Marietta, OH; James Archer, son 518 5th St., Marietta. Carolyn Armor, dau, 118 Seneca Dr, Devola Marietta; John Archer, 521 1/2 5th St., Marietta, OH. He owned Archer Auto Parts in Marietta, OH. Administrix: Genevieve Archer.
Walter H. Archer b. 2 Aug 1897; died of medullary failure; occupation- merchant- auto parts store.
[GWA comment: Walter Harold Archer (John Sebastian, Daneil, Simon, Michel, James, Patrick)]

Estate of John S. Archer
Case 12,029 Docket A-E, PP p. 474
Administrator Paul L. Archer
John S. Archer, resident of Salem Twp, d. 1 Jul 1973 at Lower Salem, OH, leaving no spouse or children. His parents still living: Paul L. and Rita Archer, Rt. 1, Lower Salem, OH. The administrator made a claim against Steven J. Carpenter and Anna K. Carpenter for causing the death of John S. Archer for $10,000.
The Probate Court dictated a settlement to the claim with each parents receiving $5,000.
[GWA comment: John S. Archer (Paul, William, Sylvanus, Simon, Nathan, James, Patrick)]

Estate of Glen A. Archer
Case 75-74 Docket Book A-E, QQ p. 336
Administrators: Glen Dean Archer and Charles Lee Archer.
Glen A. Archer, resident of Belpre, OH died 27 Sept 1974 leaving no surviving spouse. Heirs: sons- Glen Dean Archer, 27, No. 2 7th St., Belpre, OH; Charles Lee Archer, 34, Rt. 1, Northlake, Vincent, OH. He died with little property: $2500 in a savings account and Valiant automobile, worth about $50. Value of total estate: $2600. Bills consumed most of the estate for funeral and medical expenses.
[GWA comment: Glen Archer possible ancestry: (William, Nathan, Joseph, James). He md Vivian Frances Farley 17 Apr 1938 in Sandyville, Jackson Co, WV and lived in Rockport, WV and Belpre, OH. Vivian d. 16 Feb 1978 although the records say there was no surviving spouse.]

Estates of Edward F. Archer
Case 75-514 Docket A-E, Vol RR, p. 63
Executrix: Margorie Archer
Will of Edward F. Archer of Wooster, Wayne Co., OH, dated 9 Aug 1974. Witnesses: Joy E. (?), Wooster, OH; Alice Hardy, Rt. 1, Wooster, OH. Left all property to wife, Margorie Archer. If she remarries, undivided half of estate will go to her and other half to the grandchildren. On her death without remarriage, all goes to the grandchildren. Address at death: Box 237, Newport, OH. Died 14 Sep 1975. Daughters: Gaynelle Lewis, 5121 N. 40th St., Phoenix, AZ 85018; Eloise Archer, Box 4572, Belcher Rd., P.O. Clearwater, FL 33515. Witnesses: J.E. Lehman; Alice Hardey.
Estate value: $21,000 Grandchildren: Alyson A. Lewis, Stephanie Lewis, Carlton Lewis, Trayce Lewis. Real property: Lot no.7, Newport Acres, Newport Twp, Washington, Co.
[GWA comment: Edward F. Archer b. 24 Jul 1895, Liberty Twp, Washington Co., OH son of Simon Archer and Rachel Herron/Hern. Ancestry unknown but the Liberty Twp Archers usually had connections to Noble Co. and to James of Patrick. He may have had a first wife, as an Edward Faust Archer, age 25 b. Washington Co., OH residing Parkersburg, WV md. Perla Lorene Bumgardner, 23 b. Ritchie Co., WV on 14 Jan 1921, in Parkersburg, WV - Wood Co., WV Marriages, Vol 27, p. 383. ]

Estate of Genevieve R. Archer
Case 80-242 Docket A-E, Vol UU,p. 64
Administrix: Carolyn A. Archer, 118 Seneca Dr., Marietta, OH
Will of Genevieve R. Archer of 1105 Colgate Dr., dated Sep 1973 children: Walter H. Archer, Jr 202 Rathbone Rd., Marietta, OH, James Archer, John W. Archer 521 5th St., Marietta, OH, Carolyn A. Armor, 518 5th St., Marietta, OH. Witnessed: 2 Oct 1973 Roland W. Riggs, 623 Forest St., Marietta; Mary R. Sherman 734 Lancaster St., Marietta, OH. Died 13 May 1980, living at 519 5th St., Marietta, OH. Her social security no: 275-16-9130. Estate value : $19,882. Cause of death: cardiac arrest. Born: 12 Nov 1898.
[GWA comment: Genevieve Reid, Wife of Walter Harold Archer (John Sebastian, Daniel, Simon, Michel, James, Patrick)]

Name Change of Margaret Elaine Archer formerly Margaret Elaine Summers Case no. 83-504 General Docket V, p. 423
She was born Margaret Elaine Archer on 15 Jul 1930, Noble Co., Marion Twp. Father: Glenn Archer; Mother: Emma Lemmox. Birth registered in Record of Births Vol 5 (sic), p. 8 in Noble Co., OH
[GWA comment: Margaret Elaine Archer (Glenville, Cicero, Stephen, James, James, James, Patrick).

Clergymen's Record No. 3, p. 126
John M. Archer- "The Reverend John M. Archer At a court of probate held in and for the county of Washington and state of Ohio, at the Probate Office in the City of Marietta, on the 8th day of March A.D. 1898, before the Hon. D.R. Rood, Judge of the aforesaid Court, it having been made to appear to the satisfaction of said Court that the Reverend John M. Archer is a Minister of the Gospel of the Methodist Episcopal Church in regular standing, officiating in said county; it is therefore ORDERED by the Court that a license be granted to the said Reverend John M. Archer authorizing and empowering him to SOLEMNIZE marriages within the state according to the statute in such case made and provided, so long as he shall continue to be a REGULAR MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL of said church. Attest: D.R. Rood, Probate Judge

Clergymen's Record No. 4, p. 504
Rev. Revere C. Archer
At a court of Probate held in and for the county of Washington and state of Ohio, at the Probate Office in the City of Marietta, on the 1st day of August A.D. 1946, before the Hon. Wilbur D. Jones, Judge of the said Court, the license of Rev. Revere C. Archer of the Methodist Church religious society or a congregation to solemnize marriages granted by the Probate Court of Belmont Co., Ohio on the 17th day of May A.D. 1945 and signed Harry L. Albright, Probate Judge of said Court, by Margaret Van Atta was presented and offered to be entered of record in accordance with the statue in such case made and provided. Attest: Wilbur D. Jones, Probate Judge

to Washington County Index

-=| WOOD COUNTY, OHIO |=-

LUCK OF THE IRISH

Some Ill-Fated Descendants of Patrick Archer of Greene County, Pennsylvania

I recently made a trip to Wood Co., Ohio to continue research on the final installments of articles on the descendants of Joseph Archer, son of Patrick, serialized in Vol 2, No. 4 of The Archer Quarterly. An obituary index found in the Wood County Public Library led to some microfilms of the Wood County Sentinel and a remarkable series of articles covering over twenty years of one Archer family's history in Wood County filled with tragedy and personal disasters. These newspaper transcripts are being published here because only highlights of these articles will be cited in the series when it is continued. The vivid details of this family's mis-adventures will be of more value in their full-text version rather than as footnote citations in a compiled genealogy.
All of the newspaper articles below were published from 1880 to 1897 at Bowling Green, Wood Co., OH, in the Wood County Sentinel and concern the deaths of the children and sons-in-law of James Archer, probable son of James Archer and Nancy Copas. James Archer was born about 1823 in Richland Co., OH and died after 1897, possibly in Michigan where he was living at that time. James Archer's father was James, son of Joseph of Patrick Archer. James Archer, Jr. md. Elizabeth Crosser, 1 Apr 1848 in Hancock Co., OH. She was the daughter of John and Sarah Crosser, b. ca. 1826 in Richland Co., OH and d. 29 Jan 1883, in Richland Co. OH. James, Jr. and Elizabeth Archer had 15 children of whom there were 7 boys, 7 girls and one adopted son. None of the boys lived to be older than 45 because all but one met violent deaths as described in the newspapers accounts. James and his sons lived in Henry Twp and Bloom Twp of Wood Co. just north of the B. & O. right of way. (See map at end of article.)

Children of James Archer and Elizabeth Crosser of Bloom and Henry Townships, Wood County, Ohio
(Birth dates based on census, death, probate, and cemetery data)
1. Franklin b. c. 1848 d. 2 or 4 Aug 1888; md. 16 Mar 1871, Wood Co., OH; Harriet M. Pierce b. c. 1855; d. 1950
2. Sarah (Elizabeth?) b. 15 Dec 1849; md. 15 Dec 1867, Wood Co., OH; Thomas Hunter McMurray d. 4 Nov 1890;
3. John A. (twin) b. 1851; d. ca. 1881; md. Clara Tarr b. ca. 1854, N. Baltimore, OH; d. 23 Oct 1884
4. James H. (twin) b. ca 1851; d. 18 Feb 1882;
5. Nancy Ellen (Mally) b. c. 1852; md. 25 Jun 1874, Wood Co., OH; Charles Sawyer
6. Luther "Lute" b. (1853?); d. 18 Jul 1892
7. William b. ca. 1855; d. 16 Nov 1897; md. (by 1897)
8. Lewis b. ca. 1856; d. 19 Dec 1892
9. Joseph Michael b. ca 1856-60; d. ca 1896
10. Mary J. b. c. 1858; md. 20 Sep 1882, Wood Co., OH; Jim Baker
11. Stephen b. ca 1859; d. 7 Mar 1883
12. Caroline S. "Callie" c. 1866; md. Sam Hassell
13. Allie/Alice b. c. 1868 d. 18 Mar 1876
14. Bertha/Tabirtha b. c. 1869; md. Jesse Baker d. Jun 1896
15. (adopted son)
These lurid descriptions written by a disapproving local editor are an unusual legacy of family history that despite their grisly and tragic content will be of value to those doing research on this family affording them insights into personal character and the times in which the family lived.

"Wood County Sentinel," (Bowling Green, OH) 29 Mar 1877, p. 4

BLOOMDALE

Grave Robbing

On the afternoon of the 20th, our neighboring village of Bairdstown was thrown into a state of excitement by the discovery of a dead body in a vacant room in the Ogden block. The discovery was made by a small girl of Mr. Fishers, who is living in the upper story of the building. The child was playing in an adjoining room. She opened the door--the room having three doors--two of which the body snatchers locked, taking the keys; but the third one, by some mishap, was not locked--by which door Mr. Fisher's child entered and found the corpse in a common grain sack with the legs, or part of them and one hand, protruded. The little girl made announcement to its mother which led to the discovery. Notice was at once given to a Justice of the Peace of the township, who, on arriving, impaneled a jury, consisting of the following gentlemen: John Russell, Dr. McD. Gibson, D.C. Fast, A.M. Adams, Levi Kistler and A.B. Franklather. The jury in conjunction with the acting coroner, proceeded at once to investigate the matter around which being a mystery, that the public felt an intense desire to have explained. The facts in brief are as follows:

On the morning of the 18th, a daughter of James Archer, residing in Henry Twp., this county, died aged about ten years. On the 19th the friends of the deceased paid the last tribute of respect, as they supposed, to their little daughter and sister, Allie, by laying the body quietly in the tomb in Bethel Church cemetery, in Allen Twp, Hancock Co. On the evening of the discovery of the body, a messenger called at the residence of Mr. Archer, informing them that the dead body of a little girl had been found at Bairdstown, supposed to be the body of their child that they had buried the day before. The scene that ensued on the arrival of the parents when the dead and the living met, can be better imagined than portrayed. The most iron hearted were effected (sic) by the occasion.
The nude body was identified as that of Allie Archer, daughter of James and Sarah (sic- Elizabeth?) Archer. The jury after a careful investigation of the case, rendered their verdict as follows: "After having heard the evidence, and examined the body, we do find that the deceased came to her death in a natural way, from the effects of disease, and not by means of any violence. We do further find from the evidence that the body was disinterred after burial by some person or persons to the jurors unknown."
No trace leading to the detection of the guilty party has been discovered.
There is a strong feeling of indignation in the community against the unknown perpetrators of the deed. The parents and friends of the deceased have the sympathy of the people in their affliction.

Wood County Sentinel, (Bowling Green, OH) 23 Dec 1880, p. 3.

NORTH BALTIMORE ITEMS

Killed by a Falling Tree

Last Wednesday about 10 o'clock, James Archer, Jr., living one mile east of town, went to the woods to cut an elm tree to make sled benches of.
As he did not return for supper, his folks became alarmed of his whereabouts, took the lantern and hunted the woods over but could not find him. The next morning they continued the search and found his ax, but could find no clue to James. So his father, James Archer, went to Bairdstown, Bloomdale, and Fostoria, but could find no trace of him there; he then returned home and again searched the woods over but failing to find him went to Hoytsville and Deshler, but could hear nothing of him. So Saturday afternoon his brother, William, thinking he must be in the woods somewhere, started out in search and found him about twenty rods southeast of the house under the tree he had cut-- about thirty feet from the butt--and within a few feet of where his ax was previously found. He then notified some of the neighbors who sawed the tree in two and rolled it off his body, where it had lain for three days and three nights. His head was driven face first into the frozen ground almost even with the top of the earth. One knee and one elbow were also driven into the ground about eight inches. His face and body were badly mashed up and frozen and presented a horrible looking sight. How he got caught remains a mystery. He was a twin brother to John Archer who was killed by a train a few years ago. His remains were interred Sunday afternoon in the Ten Mile cemetery.

Wood County Sentinel, (Bowling Green, OH) 9 Aug 1888, p. 3.

KILLED BY AN OFFICER

Frank Archer Assaults Marshal Kratz

Of North Baltimore, and is Shot Through on the Spot- Archer's Brothers and Father Brutally Attack the Marshal and Beat Him Almost to Death- Particulars of the Affair with Something about the Archer Family
On last Thursday noon Frank Archer, living half mile east of North Baltimore, was shot and instantly killed by Marshall William Kratz of that place in a fight between the four Archer boys, their father and the marshal, and the latter so badly pounded up that he may die.
On the Tuesday evening previous Kratz arrested Joseph Archer one of the brothers, at North Baltimore, and locked him up for drunkenness. Joe made considerable resistance and assaulted the marshal who after quite a tussle got him under control. When taken before the mayor Wednesday, Joe paid his fine but remarked to the marshal that he would "fix him" for this.
The next day Kratz swore out another warrant for resisting an officer and proceeded to where Joe lived east of town to arrest him. He was eating his dinner when the marshal arrived and while a girl was opening the screen door to to admit Kratz, Joe ran out the back door. The marshal pursued with his revolver and stopped his prisoner at the pump in the back yard. Joe then signified his willingness to go along but Bill Archer appeared on the scene and said, "Make the son of a -- show his warrant," which Kratz did.
Joe then objected to going to town without changing his clothes and wanted the marshal to go in the house with him. Kratz wouldn't do this and some one of the family brought his clothes to the door. Joe said he couldn't dress there and wanted the marshal to go to the barn with him, to which the former consented, and they entered the southwest stable door on the feed floor. The marshal, not liking his position, opened the two south doors. Joe further delayed the proceeding by sending a hand named James Gibson to the house after a clean shirt. About this time James Archer, Sr., the father, and Lute and Frank Archer, drove up and being informed by Gibson what was up, Frank was heard to exclaim, "I'll fix the son of a --," and Kratz ran to the door, but saw he was too late, as Lute appeared with something in his hand the marshal took to be a brick. Lute got off the same "I'll fix you - - -" expression, when Kratz drew his revolver and told them to stand back. Frank didn't heed the command, but approaching, struck the marshal over the shoulder with a board about four inches wide and five or six feet long. The marshal fired twice, the second shot taking effect in Frank's breast, splitting a rib; the ball passed through the lung and lodged in the liver, and without speaking he fell and expired almost instantly. The other three men then set upon the marshal, knocked him down, took his revolver and beat and kicked him shamefully. In the melee he crawled to the door and got away. He remembers little of what transpired at the barn so badly was he beaten, and hardly remembers how he got to town, but says he was followed down the road some distance by Lute Archer, who seemed still unsatisfied with his bloody work.
This is the story as told by Mr. Kratz at the examination by Coroner Orme, who was called there the same evening, the marshal further saying the thinks the four men, Joe, Lute, and Bill Archer, and their father, all kicked him.
When Kratz got away from his assailants, after going abut 60 rods, he came to the dwelling of C.S. Britton where he had his head tied up with a towel and with assistance proceeded to town.
He was taken to the office of Dr. Reddin where an examination developed the cuts on is head from one to three inches long, and in one of the wounds were found pieces of a broken jug with which they had beaten him, all of the wounds having been made with dull instruments. His shoulders were badly bruised, his ribs staved in, and he may have some internal injuries. His recovery was at first thought doubtful, but later reports say he may pull through all right if blood poisoning doesn't set in.
Coroner Orme found a verdict in accordance with the above fact and considered that Kratz did the shooting in defending himself as an officer, but Kratz was put under arrest Friday, and probably to avoid any feeling which may exist at North Baltimore, the case was transferred to Justice Ewing's court, Bowling Green, and Kratz was brought here Tuesday, when the hearing was postponed till to-day. If the story as given is true, there seems little cause for his arrest, and the question naturally arises, why are the Archers not taken in tow?
The testimony of Joe Archer is to the effect that the marshal appeared at the screen door above referred to with the revolver in hand and said, "I want you," and when Joe started to run, snapped the gun at him when he stopped; that at the barn the marshal fired without warning at Frank when he came up, and afterwards fired several more shots when Bill Archer took the revolver from him. Bill Archer testified that he did not go to the barn till the shot was fired. The testimony of the three brothers was about the same, they claiming they did not attack Kratz till he fired.
Frank Archer was about 40 years old and leaves a wife and three children.
His funeral occurred Saturday. When his wife was apprised of the terrible affair, she fainted and remained unconscious for a day or so.
Whether the results will be serious we have not learned.
The record of the Archer family is terrible to contemplate. John Archer, a brother, fell from a train of cars at Fostoria and was killed. James, another brother, was killed by a falling tree in Henry township. Stephen, a third brother, fell from a train and was killed at Deshler. James Archer, the father, while implicated in a drunken brawl, was nearly killed in a row at Van Buren, but has since reformed; and Wm. Fore who lived with the family, fell from a train at Portage while returning home from Bowling Green and was killed. Frank Archer is the sixth victim. And what makes it more horrible is the fact of its being attributed to liquor, as it is said Frank and the others had been drinking at North Baltimore before their return home on the fatal day, and the additional fact that Frank's body remained in the corner of the barn, where it fell, till dragged to the middle of the floor by his own sisters.

Wood County Sentinel, (Bowling Green, OH) 21 Jul 1892, p. 3.

LUTE ARCHER KILLED

The Fifth, Out of a Family of Seven Brothers, to Meet a Violent Death

(Editor's Note: The sequence of deaths as described in this article for John and James are not consistent with the official death dates recorded in the Wood Co., OH Death Records.)
Mr. and Mrs. James Archer, of North Baltimore, years ago residents of this place, had seven sons and two or three daughters. The boys never bore very good names in community (sic), they being of a quarrelsome nature and greatly given to strong drink.
Ten years ago, one of the boys, Bruz., while drunk, boarded a B. & O. train at Deshler, fell off and was killed. Shortly after this, James, Jr. was killed by a falling tree in the woods, where he was at work. A year or so later, John boarded a B. & O. train at Fostoria while drunk, fell under the wheels and was killed. About four years ago, wile resisting arrest near North Baltimore, Frank was shot and killed by Marshal W.H. Kratz. About two years ago, Hunter McMurray a brother-in-law of the boys, was shot and killed in a saloon row at Bairdstown by W.H. Hurst, for which the latter is now serving a sentence in the pen.
The wheel of fate, which seems to follow the family at irregular intervals, on Monday night took another turn, and Luther Archer, while drunk, was run over by a B. & O. train at North Baltimore, and his body ground to a pulp.
Thus six - including the brother-in-law- have met violent deaths in that one family within the past ten years.

Wood County Sentinel, (Bowling Green, OH) 25 Jun 1896, p. 1.

ON DUTY

Officer Baker was Stricken by a Burglar's Bullet

Terrible Affair at North Baltimore Sunday Night, in Which a Nightwatch is Fired Upon and Mortally Wounded by Desperate Men Who were Frightened Away from Looting the Post office Safe
One of the most appalling crimes ever recorded in Wood county occurred at North Baltimore on Saturday night, Jesee Baker, the night policeman was shot dead while heroically attempting to apprehend three fleeing burglars, who were frightened away from their work of cracking the post office safe.
The town was thrown into a wild excitement upon the report of the deed and every effort to run the cold blooded murderers to earth was exerted by the officials and volunteer citizens.
Squads of citizens patrolled the streets all night and many struck into the country for the purpose of getting some trace of the murderers.
Excitement ran high in the community all day Sunday and Sunday night.
Blood hounds were even employed to search out the murderous villains, and detectives and officials from other cities were upon the grounds at an early hour Sunday morning. The militia, with volunteers 200 strong, were called into service, and stationed on the outskirts of the town Sunday night to prevent any possible escape of any suspected persons implicated in the deed.
The Sentinel was at North Baltimore Sunday and gathered the following facts connected with the affair:
The post office was the place entered by the burglars, but the shooting of Officer Baker occurred at the junction of Tarr street and the B. & O. railroad track.
The burglars were first discovered by Lincoln Caldwell, deputy postmaster, who entered the post office at about 12 P.M. Saturday evening to get a package of laundry. As he opened the door, his attention was attracted by a click of the lock on the rear door, which he at first thought was caused by the suction of air caused by opening the front door. He had advanced but a few steps into the room, however, when he heard somebody at work in the rear part of the building and was at once convinced that burglars were at work on the safe. He quietly retreated to the sidewalk and called the attention of Night Policeman Jesse Baker, who happened to be passing at that moment. The officer had a young bull dog with him, and with the dog he ran down an east and west alley between the Central Hotel and the Katzenmyer Blocks to the alley at the rear of the post office. He arrived at the intersection of the two alleys in time to see three men making their escape at the break neck gait southward towards the B. & O. railroad. He set the dog after them and himself started in hot pursuit, calling on the men in the meanwhile, to stop. At the mouth of the alley, the dog grabbed one of the men by the leg, who immediately shot the animal through the back. The dog released his hold, and was later found under Purkey's barber shop, where it had died soon after the shot.
Officer Baker arrived at the end of the alley about the time the burglars were half way to Tarr street, east of the alley, and after calling for them to halt, fired three shots at them, one of which it is thought took effect in one of the men, as he seemed later to lag behind the others, and was hardly able to get along. At this juncture, one of the burglars was heard to say to the fellow who was lagging behind, "Hurry up! Hurry up!" and the fellow replied, "You know I can't come any faster." When the burglars reached the east side of Tarr street, they stopped behind a telegraph pole and awaited Officer Baker's arrival on the opposite side of the street, when they opened fire upon him. They fired two shots. The first went astray, but the second struck the officer just as he reached the curb stone. The bullet entered at the outer corner of the left eye, passed through his brain and lodged in the back part of the head. He fell instantly. "Shorty" Crawford, a young man who happened to be sitting on a baggage truck on the B. & O. platform, saw the shooting, and he and the night operator at the depot ran to the fallen officer. They found Baker lying on the ground, but he regained consciousness enough to realize that his wound was mortal, and all he said was, "I'm done for; stand back, stand back." He then became unconscious, and was shortly afterward carried to the city building, where medical aid was summoned, but to no purpose, as he was beyond help and in a dying condition. At 3 o'clock he was removed to his home, and at 4:30 expired....
There were still a number of persons on Main street sitting in front of the Columbia Hotel when the shots were fired, and they at once ran to the scene of the shooting and assisted in conveying the injured officer to the city building.
Word from Findlay Sunday morning brought the news that a man identified as Charles Long, alias Dell Long, was captured there on the street by an officer. Long is said to have entered a drug store to procure some medicine, and the druggist called an officer. Long had neither coat or hat, and when he observed the officer coming, he took to his heels and gave the official a little chase before his capture, and then not until three shots had been fired at him. He was placed in the city prison to await the arrival of the North Baltimore marshal.
Allie Manahan, the erstwhile notorious tough, who was on the streets of North Baltimore Saturday and during the evening with a strange woman, but since the perpetration of the deed has not been seen, is very much wanted, with explanations. The woman was seen alone on the street in front of the Central Hotel shortly before the burglars were discovered in the post office, but disappeared very suddenly, and has not been seen since. Manahan is said to have gone to Toledo, but if this is true, the officials of that city will doubtless capture him.
It was reported that Charles Long, the man captured at Findlay, was after medicine for his confederates, who were lying in the woods near by in an exhausted condition from the wound received at North Baltimore by Officer Baker's pistol shot and the dog bites.
Several notorious characters of the city were under surveillance all day Sunday, and it was the intention of the officers to arrest them if any demonstration was made as evidence of their being implicated in the affair.
The funeral of Officer Baker is arranged for Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the M.E. church under the auspices of the J. O. U. A. M. of which he was a prominent member. The deceased was a man of ordinary size, of light complexion with light mustache. He was a quiet, steady and inoffensive gentleman, and claimed the friendship of every citizen of the town. He was aged about 35 years, and leaves a wife only, a daughter of James Archer, whose five sons met their deaths at various times in a violent manner. He had been on the force about six weeks....

Wood County Sentinel, (Bowling Green, OH) 18 Nov 1897, p. 5

ILL FATED FAMILY

The Last of the Archer Boys is Dead

Will Archer Killed by the Cars at Welker on Tuesday Night--Of Seven Sons, All save One Die with their Boots on--
Brief History of the Family
The last of the Archer boys is dead and to conform to all the predictions of the family, he died with his boots on, as six brothers and two brothers-in-law before him have done.
The last son to complete such a remarkable record was William Archer of North Baltimore, who was run over and killed by the fast through freight on the B. & O. at Welker on Tuesday evening.
He had been at Findlay and was returning to his home at North Baltimore.
He arrived at Welker in the evening on the T. & O.C. in an intoxicated condition. Soon after he started out on the B. & O. track to walk to North Baltimore. He had proceeded but a few rods when the fast east bound freight run (sic) him down. He was thrown against the engine and his head smashed terribly. The remains were gathered up and carried to Diebley's at North Baltimore where they were prepared for burial. The accident occurred nearly in front of the restaurant located opposite the depot at about 7 o'clock.
This death completes the sensational taking off of one of the most remarkable families in Ohio. There were seven sons and one adopted son, and all have died violent deaths save one. There were four sons-in-law, and two of these have met death by violent means. In addition there was one unmarried daughter, whose body, after death, met with a ghoulish fate.
Few families in the United States have such a sanguinary and grewsome record. In fact, we believe the mortuary annals of the country will not record a parallel during times of peace and in a law-abiding community.
Of the eight violent deaths, three were killed by a weapon and six met death through accidental means. Five of these latter were the result of train accidents.
The family of Archers is well known in the early history of Northern Hancock and Southern Wood county. Many years ago the family resided at Van Buren, then known far and wide as the "Fighting Town." James Archer, the father, distinguished himself as one of the principal malcontents, and the sons all grew up with surroundings that naturally conduced to a reckless disposition.
The Archer family removed to a farm near North Baltimore in the early history of that city, and here they have resided ever since. Nearly a quarter of a century ago, James Archer, the father, secured the contract for carrying the mails between Bowling Green and Findlay. In the same connection he run (sic) a hack line between the two places, and the older Bowling Greners remember vividly the Archer hack line and the pokey slow coach. He made but one trip a day leaving Bowling Green at about 8 o'clock in the morning, reaching North Baltimore at noon, and completing the journey at about 4:30. Those unfortunate victims who were obliged to make this trip will always remember the incident as one of the most tiresome events in their lives.
The deaths of the eight sons occurred in the following manner, the demise of the first taking place nearly 20 years ago: John was killed at Fostoria by a B & O. train; James met his death by being struck by a falling tree that he was felling in the woods near his home; Bert was killed by a C.H. & D. train at Deshler; Frank was shot by Marshal Kratz of North Baltimore while resisting arrest; Lute was killed by a B. & O. train near Rockwell's mill at North Baltimore. The adopted son was killed by the cars at Toledo whither he had gone with some companions to have a "time." The single exception to this remarkable series of violent deaths was Joe Mike, who died of typhoid fever about 18 months ago. None of the sons were employed by the railroad companies at the time of the deaths, the manner of the killing being pretty much on the line of the death of the recent victim.
Frank was shot by Marshal Kratz about 10 years ago. He (Sic- Joe) had committed a misdemeanor at North Baltimore, and the marshal had gone out to his home to arrest him. The reputation of the family was such as to cause the marshal to anticipate trouble, and he was prepared to meet it. Upon commanding Frank (Sic-Joe) to proceed to town, interference was made by the father and a brother, and in an altercation of words, the marshal understood a movement of the men to mean violent harm to himself, and he pulled his gun and shot Frank dead. The marshal was barely able to escape from the premises with his life.
The preliminary hearing of Kratz, on the charge of murder, was held at Bowling Green and excited considerable attention. Judge Pendleton, of Findlay, represented the Archer family. Frank Taylor distinguished himself as the attorney for Kratz. Kratz was acquitted, the verdict being that the shooting was justifiable.
Of the four sons-in-law, two met violent deaths. One was Hunter McMurray, who was killed a few years since in a saloon row at Bairdstown, by W. Hurst, the keeper of the place. The other was Jesse Baker, the heroic officer killed 18 months ago while pursuing the burglars, Jones, Curry and Crawford, all of whom are serving life sentences for the deed.
Another sensational incident attended the death of one of the girls of the family. She died several years ago at the age of 16. Some time afterwards her body was found wrapped in a sack and stowed away in a barrel in an abandoned warehouse at Bairdstown. The person to make this awful discovery was a cousin of the dead girl. It was supposed that ghouls had desecrated the grave and had hid the body in the warehouse but were prevented from securing it later when wanted.
The father of the Archer family is still living. At present, he is in feeble health. He is now at Ann Arbor taking treatment for his eyes, which are nearly sightless. The mother died several years ago.
Coroner Thorns was summoned soon after the accident and took the 8:03 train for North Baltimore. He ordered the removal of the remains to the undertaking establishment, and yesterday completed his investigations. He found that the dead man came to his death through his own carelessness, and so made up his verdict. The accident occurred about 20 rods west of the Welker depot and, to all appearances, Archer had attempted to step to the mouth of the track upon the approach of the train. The pilot evidently caught his right leg and his head was thrown against the pilot beam. His right leg was broken, and his head was smashed in a terrible manner His wife died about three years ago leaving no children.
Three daughters of the elder James Archer are still living. Mrs. Sam Hassell, Mrs. Jesse Baker, and Mrs. Chas. Sawyer.
(Editor's Note: B. & O. refers to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad; T. & O.C. refers to the Toledo and Ohio Central Railroad.)

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Cemetery Readings at Arlington National Cemetery
Marker: 1 844 (K-33.5)
Herman Neville Archer
Ohio
Maj US Army
World War I and II
Jun 8, 1879-Aug 16, 1947
BSM & OLC-PH
Christian
[GWA comment: Herman Neville Archer (John, Simon, James, Patrick)]