William Asa Archer

William Asa Archerd (1.1.1.2)

Born: 19 Jan 1828 - Charlestown, Clark County, Indiana

Died: 21 Sep 1910 - Sullivan County, Green City, Missouri

Buried: - Green City Cemetery, Sullivan County, Missouri

Spouse: Violette Barnes Sanders (1831-1912)

Marr. Date: 22 Feb 1848 - Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio

Notes:

The Archerd Family Record states that "William Asa Archerd was born Jan. 19th 1828". This is confirmed by documentation is William's Civil War naval pension file. The file shows that he was born in Charlestown, Clark County, Indiana.

The following four documents signed by William in connection with his Civil War Navy pension establish various important facts: (i) Declaration for Invalid Pension dated July 26, 1890, (ii) Bureau of Pensions "questions" answered July 5, 1898, (iii) Declaration for Pension dated February 26, 1907, and (iv) Bureau of Pensions "questions" answered June 7, 1907. He stated in one or more of these documents that: he was born January 19, 1828 in Charlestown, Clark County, Indiana; he married Violetta B. Sanders in 1848 in Cincinnati before Esq. Brooks; he was not previously married; his living children on July 5, 1898 were Chas. W. Archer, born Apr. 15, 1849; John R., born 26 Oct. 1850; William A., born June 30, 1853; Laura A., born July 21, 1855; Horrace [sic] R., born March 16, 1857; Frances E., born July 28, 1859; Mary A., born Oct. 20, 1861; Jane, born Sept. 9, 1866; George W., born Oct. 14, 1869; and Violetta, born Nov. 24, 1872; he enlisted in the Union Navy on Sept. 21, 1864 in Cincinnati while he was resident in "Rei P.O", Ripley county, Indiana, and he was then a farmer; he was discharged at Mound City, Illinois on August 20, 1865; since discharge he lived in Ripley County, Indiana [Rei P.O.], and removed to Putnam County, Missouri in November 1874 where he "lived at this place every [sic] since"; he was 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighed 120# [on June 7, 1907], with blue eyes, white hair "but was dark in my younger days", with fair complexion and no permanent marks except for "initials W A on left arm". He said his full name was William A. Archer (sic) Sen. In 1898 he was a resident of Martinstown in Putnam County. He said in the 1890 declaration that he enlisted "as a sailor in the Navy on Gun boat Sybil" and that he was wholly unable to support himself by reason of "my old age and general debility". He said that he was making his own application, implying that he had no attorney or

representative and that he was smart enough to figure it out. In the 1907 declaration he said that he was an "ordinary seaman on Great Western - Batler - Ouachita - and Sybil" and that he also served "in what was called the Kirby Smith Rade [sic] on Cincinnati O". He referred to having lived in "Pratsburg Ripley Co Ind" and to having a pension "Certificate No 10988".

William's wife was more explicit in her Declaration for Widow's Pension on Oct. 29, 1910 in referring to the marriage - she gave the exact date as Feb. 22, 1848 and said that the official was "ER Brooks a Justice of the Peace", and that she had not previously been married. She gave her maiden name as Violette Sanders. She said that William died on Sept. 21, 1910 at Green City, Missouri.

None of the documents mentioned the spelling "Archerd" and none indicated who William's or Violette's parents were.

"The history of the Archer family, as we know it, must start with our Grandfather, William Asa Archer (sic); and it must be remembered that the ancestral name was Archerd and that Grandfather dropped the "d" from the name. From various notes and letters in the family, we know that his father was Robert Archerd and his mother Laura Washburn. Laura is supposed to be descended from one Asa Washburn, who took part in the Revolutionary War; but I have so far been unable to find an authentic record of this relationship, although I have spent many hours at the Detroit Library going through all available books on the Washburn family in the Burton Historical Collection. I have also had several others trying to help me establish this relationship, but no success, to date. So, for the time being, I shall have to give only the history we know factually. I am continuing the search, however, and if and when I can establish connection with the Washburn family, I shall issue a special bulletin to be attached to this genealogy." [Archer 1949 Family History, by Harry Mills]

"William Asa Archer, Sr., was born at Charlestown, Ia. [sic, Indiana] on Jan. 19, 1828 and was married in Cincinnati on Feb. 22, 1848 to Violette Barnes Sanders, who was born in England on Aug. 13, 1831 and came to this country at the age of two years. They evidently lived in Cincinnati until some time between 1861 and 1864, for the first seven children were born there up until 1861 and the eighth to twelfth in Prattsburg, Ind. from 1864 until 1872. It was during these years that Grandfather served in the Union Navy in the Civil War, and some time after 1872 the family moved to a farm near Martinstown, Putnam Co., Mo." [Archer 1949 Family History]

The 1830 Clark County, Indiana census includes William Asa's father and family; that census places the family in or near Charlestown. The 1870, 1880, 1900 and 1910 census data for Missouri says that William Asa was born in Indiana, but the 1850 and 1860 Hamilton County, Ohio census data shows him as born in Ohio. Each of these census enumerations lists him as "Archer".

The date of birth on his death certificate is Jan. 19, 1828; the name on the death certificate is "Archer". On the death certificate, his wife is shown as a survivor and William Asa is shown as a retired farmer and his place of birth is said to be Indiana. J. R. Archer of Green City, Missouri. provided the information for the death certificate. Cause of death is said to be organic heart disease and nephritis. His father is said to be Robert Archer, born in U.S., and his mother Laura Washburn, born U.S. A close reading of the death certificate shows that his father's name was first written as John Robert Archer and then changed to Robert Archer. The word John appears lighter than the words Robert Archer, as if John had been partially erased. [Interestingly, the death certificate in the Naval Pension file does not coincide with the first death certificate I obtained, with respect to the name of William's father - it just clearly shows "John R. Archer".]

There is a short obituary for William Asa in the September 27, 1910 Milan, Missouri "Standard", saying "William A. Archer, an honored and respected citizen of this city, died at his home Wednesday evening, Sept. 21, 1910 at 8 o'clock, aged 82 years, of heart failure. Funeral will be held today, Friday afternoon, at 3 o'clock from the Presbyterian church, conducted by Rev. F. P.

DeBolt. Interment will be made in Green City cemetery."

William Asa's grandfather, John Archerd, died in 1838. His 1838 will makes bequests to the three children of his late son Robert. John's probate file (Clermont County, Ohio Court of Common Pleas) contains a receipt for William Asa's bequest; it is dated June 30, 1852, and bears the signature "William A. Archerd". The same receipt is also signed by the two brothers and the

signatures are all in different handwriting, from each other, and from the body of the handwritten receipt. The receipt was probably prepared by executor William Watkins.

William Asa's widowed mother Laura, married Henry Noble in 1835. Noble was an important figure in Cincinnati civic affairs. Laura died in 1840, after the census. The 1840 census for the Henry Noble family seems to include Laura and the three Archerd boys and their half-brother Ben Noble. The 1949 Archer Family history says that the three Archer boys had a half brother named Ben Noble who fought in the Civil War.

The 1850 census for Ward 6, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio shows, in dwelling #520, as of August 15: William Archer, 22, no occupation and born Ohio; his wife Vilot (sic), 19, born England; and Charles, 1, born Ohio; and in the same dwelling: John Taylor, 29, drayman, born in England; Mary A. Taylor, 24, born in France; Emma M., 2, born in Ohio; and Lydiann, 1, born in Ohio.

The 1860 census for Ward 6, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, at dwelling #503, as of June 22: William Archer, 32, drayman, real estate $2500, personal property $500, born Ohio; Violet, 28, born England; Charles, 11, born Ohio; John, 9, born Ohio; William, 6, born Ohio; Laura, 4, born Ohio; Horace, 3, born Ohio; Frances 1/12, born Ohio; Honorah Sweeny, 16, servant, born Ireland; and George Sanders, 18, drayman, born Ohio. Sanders is probably Violet's brother.

The Winfield, Kansas November 1938 obituary of William A. Archer (junior) says that he was born June 30, 1853 in Cincinnati, Ohio and that "[I]n 1861, his parents moved onto a farm near Plattsburg, Ind., . . . [and][W]hen his father enlisted in the Union army [sic, navy] in the Civil War, he [the son] assisted his mother in support of the family." And, further, "[W]hen in 1874 his father moved westward with the pioneers, he joined the family in their move to Putnam County, Mo." [Prattsburg is in Ripley County, Indiana.] [The move west was in Nov. 1874, according to the Naval pension papers.]

The 1870 census for Franklin Township, Ripley County, Indiana, as of June 28, 1870: William Archer, 42, farmer, born Indiana, real estate value $1500, personal estate value $300, U.S. citizen; wife Violeta, 38, keeping house, born England, father and mother of foreign birth; William A., 16, farm laborer, born Ohio, Laura, 14, Horace, 13, Ellen, 10, all born Ohio, at home and attended

school within past year; Mary, 8, Jane, 3 and Grant [sic, George], 8/12, born October 1869. Mary was born Ohio and Jane and George in Indiana. Charles and John Robert are not shown in the family, as they are in Elm Township, Putnam County, Missouri.

Putnam County, Missouri deed records (courtesy George W. Archer): (i) deed of 26 Feb 1875 (11/546) from Abraham Ellis and wife to William A. Archer, $1000, 160 acres (lot 1 of NW 1/4 and N. 1/2 of SW 1/4 S.3, T. 64, R. 17); (ii) deed of 12 Nov 1877 (16/436) from William A. and Violette Archer to William A. Archer, $500, 80 acres (E. 1/2 of lot 1 of NW 1/4 and NE 1/4 of SW 1/4 of S. 3, T. 64, R. 17), filed 18 Nov 1878; and (iii) deed filed 11 Dec 1908 (63/611) from William A. Archer, Sr. to Henry A. Ruggles.

The 1880 census for Elm Township, Putnam County, Missouri [NA Film Number T9-0711, p. 450D]: William A. Archer, Sr., 52, farmer, born Indiana, father born Ohio, mother born Vermont; his wife Violette, 48, born England, parents born England; F. Ellen, 20, born Ohio; Jane, 13, born Indiana; George W., 10, born Indiana; Violetta, 7, born Indiana; and Frank, 7, born Indiana. Ellen is

shown "going to school". William A. Archer, Jr., 27, farmer, born Ohio, father born Indiana, mother born England lived nearby, as did John Archer, 31, born Indiana, father born Indiana, mother born England.

The 1888 history for Putnam County describes the county as hilly and broken land on the border with Iowa, eventually becoming a coal mining area. It indicates that the first settlers came during 1836.

The James Hickman Diary [he was the husband of William's daughter Frances Ellen] notes: "Jan. 19, 1889. Gave Papa Archer a dinner in honor of his 61st birthday, an agreeable occasion."

The James Hickman Diary notes: "Oct. 4, 1890. Papa, mother & Violette Archer went visiting to Charles Archer Tama Co. Iowa, Sept. 24th, returned Oct. 4th."

The 1892 petitions for letters of administration for John M. Archerd and Nelson Archerd, uncles of William Asa Archerd, list "W. A." as a nephew located in Missouri.

The James Hickman Diary notes: "March 12, 1898. Papa & mother Archer returned from Iowa. Jane came home with them. Roads very muddy, light snow this evening."

In the 1900 census for Elm Township [that part south and west of the main stream of Black Bird Creek], Putnam County, Missouri, at dwelling #120, as of June 14: William Archer Sr., 72, farmer, renting farm, married 52 years, born Jan. 1828 in Indiana, parents born Ohio; and his wife Violette B., 68, born Aug. 1831 in England, 10 of 12 children are surviving, parents born England.

The James L. Hickman Diary notes: "Nov. 28, 1901. Thanksgiving we met and took diner with father and mother Archer. Their children were all there except Jane Mills. The other nine were there with their families and parts of families, in all 37 souls were present."

In the 1910 census for Penn Township, Sullivan County, Missouri: William A. Archer, 82, born Indiana, living on "own income"; wife Violette, age 77, born England; and no other household members. The census lists his son George W. in the preceding entry.

My father and I (that is, Havard Archerd and William F. Archerd) visited Green City on August 29, 1994 and found the following gravestone in the Green City Cemetery: In Loving Remembrance, ARCHER, William A. Archer, Jan. 19, 1828-Sept. 21, 1910; Violette, His Wife, Aug. 13, 1831-Apr. 30, 1912. I have a photo of the stone. It is set under a beautiful, very old, cedar tree. There are four small corner stones, each with an italic A, at the corners of the plot.

From the Sullivan County probate records, the final settlement of William's estate, filed on 14 Nov. 1912, the following were listed as heirs and each received $445.08: Charles W. Archer, John R. Archer, William A. Archer, Jr., George W. Archer, Laura A. Scott, Frances E. Hickman, Mary A. Mills, Sarah J. Mills and Violette Wiseman. Listed as grandchildren and heirs, each receiving $89.02, were: Perry C. Archer, Harry D. Archer, Hugh V. Archer, Nellie B. Hamilton and Grace Archer. George was administrator.

Violette Barnes Sanders

Born: 13 Aug 1831 - Preston, Lancaster, England

Died: 30 Apr 1912 - Martinstown, Putnam County, Missouri

Buried: - Green City Cemetery, Sullivan County, Missouri

Father: Charles Sanders ( - )

Mother: Frances Barnes ( - )

Children of William and Violette:

Charles Walter

Born: 15 Apr 1849 - Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio

Died: 9 Aug 1928 - Iowa

Spouse: Addie Eula Rogers (1863-1893)

Marr. Date: 22 Feb 1880 - Sublette, Lee County, Illinois

Spouse: Marie Maehrlein (1864-1943)

Marr. Date: 24 Oct 1901 - Waterloo, Black Hawk County, Iowa

John Robert

Born: 26 Oct 1850 - Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio

Died: 31 Jul 1922 - Belpre, Kansas

Spouse: Elizabeth Nichols Worthington (1851-1888)

Marr. Date: 3 Jul 1870 - Putnam County, Missouri

Spouse: Malinda Foster (1848-1920)

Marr. Date: 16 Sep 1888 - Graysville, Putnam County, Missouri

William Asa, Jr.

Born: 30 Jun 1853 - Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio

Died: 24 Oct 1938 - Monrovia, California

Buried: 29 Oct 1938 - Holly Cemetery, Granada, Colorado

Spouse: Mary Catherine Reece (1859-1905)

Marr. Date: 15 Nov 1877 - Putnam County, Missouri

Spouse: Mary Frances Martin (1857-1927)

Marr. Date: 17 Mar 1907 - Putnam County, Missouri

Laura Ann

Born: 21 Jul 1855 - Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio

Died: 10 Jan 1917 - Jennings Township, Decatur County, Kansas

Spouse: John Workman Scott (1856-1917)

Marr. Date: 3 Feb. 1878 - Elm Township, Putnam County, Missouri

Horace Richard

Born: 16 Mar 1857 - Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio

Died: 5 Oct 1909 - Kirksville, Adair County, Missouri

Buried: - Forest Llellyn Cem., Adair County, Missouri

Spouse: Julia Ann Ruggles (1861-1931)

Marr. Date: 30 Apr 1879 - Putnam County, Missouri

Frances Ellen

Born: 28 Jul 1859 - Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio

Died: 29 Jan 1921 - Elm Township, Putnam County, Missouri

Buried: - Martinstown Cemetery

Spouse: James Henry Lane Hickman (1864-1950)

Marr. Date: 27 Feb 1887 - Putnam County, Missouri

Mary Adeline

Born: 20 Oct 1861 - Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio

Died: 7 Apr 1929 - Kirksville, Adair County, Missouri

Spouse: Perry Commodore Mills (1856-1939)

Marr. Date: 3 Mar 1880 - Putnam County, Missouri

Florence Bell

Born: 16 Oct 1864 - Prattsburg, Ripley County, Indiana

Died: 9 Sep 1865 - Prattsburg, Ripley County, Indiana

Sarah Jane

Born: 9 Sep 1866 - Prattsburg, Ripley County, Indiana

Died: 16 Sep 1923 - Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, Michigan

Spouse: William Samuel Mills (1865-1932)

Marr. Date: 22 Aug 1886

George W.

Born: 14 Oct 1869 - Prattsburg, Ripley County, Indiana

Died: 7 Oct 1961 - Kirksville, Adair County, Missouri

Buried: - Green City Cemetery, Sullivan County, Missouri

Spouse: Mary Elizabeth Shoop [Libby] (1869-1941)

Marr. Date: 25 Mar 1894 - Shibley's Point, Adair County, Missouri

Violette Patience

Born: 24 Nov 1872 - Prattsburg, Ripley County, Indiana

Died: 29 Aug 1920 - Peyton, El Paso County, Colorado

Spouse: George M. Wiseman (1870-1929)

Marr. Date: Abt 1897 - Elm Township, Putnam County, Missouri

Frank Everet

Born: 24 Nov 1872 - Prattsburg, Ripley County, Indiana

Died: 4 May 1890 - Martinstown, Putnam County, Missouri

Buried: - Cox Cemetery, Adair County, Missouri

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William Archerd, 2007