Phil’s History:

Alfred George Archer/Inland Revenue Officer/Who married into the Reed Family/Methodist Local Preacher:

Curriculum Vitae

Names:  Alfred George Archer. His own list of family members and dates shows him as ‘Alfred Geo’ (the only one with two names). The  (apparently) earlier such list (which shows the two Matildas without amendment) shows him simply as ‘George’.

Dates:  16^th (*) February 1848 to 7^th February 1913; and from his certificate of baptism, he was baptised on March 17^th 1848,  so he lived for 52 + 13 = 65 years, less 9 days.  Alfred George’s own family members’dates list shows his birth date as ‘Febry 14^th 1848’ (not 16^th), but the (apparently) earlier such list which lists the two Matildas without amendment shows ‘Feb’ry 16’ with a manuscript correction to ‘14’.  Re (*) above, the two handwritten lists of family members give 14^th and 15^th February. 

Father: 

John Archer, brewer, (1803 to 1884);

Mother: 

Fanny Leaver.  Alfred George was the tenth child, and the sixth son, according the list of siblings opposite;

Education:
From his obituary in the Oxford Wesleyan Methodist Circuit Magazine, marked (in manuscript) February 7, 1913: He received his education at Nixon's School, a picturesque old building which was removed when the Town Hall was erected in Oxford. Among the sixty sons of Freemen few shone more brightly than he; in 1865 he carried off the coveted Latin prize, and afterwards becoming a teacher, re­mained in the school until his appointment to the Civil Service. 

Married:   

Olive Emma Reed, 26^th August 1870. Seems likely that he met her in some way in connection with his work as an Inland Revenue Officer, because her father, Edward Reed, was likewise an Inland Revenue Officer, in Wells Somerset (I recollect). Her family were active Methodists, and it appears that Alfred George became a Methodist as a result of his connection with that family. This led, in due course, to his son William likewise being a Methodist, and likewise, onwards, William’s son Frederick George, my father. It may well be that the rest of the Archer family remained in the Church of England, as Alfred George’s parents had been and remained. 

Siblings: (birth dates between 20.01.1829 (Fanny) and 06.02.1854 (Rose), a period of 25 years):

1. Fanny (or Frances) Mary, born 20^th January 1829, died single at 7 Tackley Place, Oxford, 15^th May 1894 (age 65);
2. Elizabeth, born 29^th January 1830 (one   year and nine days after sister Frances Mary), married John Gray, buried at Rose  Hill cemetery;
3. Ann, born 11^th June 1832,  (two years and four months after sister Elizabeth), married Tom Wood,  buried at St Sepulchre’s cemetery, Walton Street, Oxford;
4. John, born 4^th January 1834, (one year and seven months after sister Ann), married Miss Castle, buried St Aldates;
5. Thomas, born 2^nd January 1835, (one year less two days after brother John), died 1920 (aged about 85), buried at Cowley with wife and daughter;
6. James, born 4^th December 1836, (one  year and eleven months after brother Thomas), died 12^th October 1922 (aged 85), married Fanny Porter 31^st March 1874, buried Osney Cemetery, started the family furniture removal business, no children;
7. Ellen, born 16^th May 1838, (one year and five months after brother James), died single; 
8. Edward, born 7^th February 1842, (almost four years after sister Ellen), died single, buried in St Sepulchre’s cemetery (age 64, per pba manuscript notes);
9. Charles, born 20^th August 1843, (one year and six months after brother Edward), married Miss Wells, no children;
10. Alfred George (himself), born 16^th February 1848,  (almost four and a half   years  after sister Ellen), died 7^th February 1913, in his 65^th year; had eleven children;
11. William Samuel, born 10^th July 1852, (almost four and a half years after brother Alfred George), one son and one daughter, died 2^nd January 1917, aged 64, buried in St Sepulchre’s cemetery, married Matilda Saunders (dates 12^th June 1846 to 20^th May 1892, age almost 46);
12. Rose Anne, born 6^th February 1854, (one year and seven months after brother William Samuel, died 6^th September 1889, aged 35, single, buried in family vault in St Aldate’s; and 
13. Seven (not quite sure where the “seven” came from, as FGBA’s manuscript note just refers to “other children” who died in infancy; (if 7 is right, a total of 19 children were apparently born);

Children of Alfred George and Olive Emma Archer: (pasted from WGRA’s cv – much of this data came from Gill’s family tree):

1. Olive Rose (Rose) born 1872;
2. Alfred Edwin (Teddy), 1873 – 1888;
3. Ernest (Ernie) born 1874, married Maria van Dongen;
4. Helena Emma (Lena) born 1875, married Harry Brough;
5. Bertha Olive (Olive), born at ‘Shillingford, Warborough’ 26.6.1877 (birth cert.), married Harry John Rowe (age 31 years, bachelor, draper, of Eagle House, Leigh Road, Eastleigh, Hants, father Charles Thomas Rowe, bootmaker) on 11^th March 1903 at ‘The Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Walton Street, Oxford’ (marriage cert.);
6. William George Reed (‘Willie’, so said Walter Gilder to me) himself, (1878 – 1969), married (1902) Elizabeth Emma Gilder, and (1943) Mary Kate Ray;
7. Herbert John (Bert) (1880 - ?);
8. Francis Kate (Katie) (1882 - ?) married name ‘Nurse’;
9. Percy John (John) (1884 – approx 1899);
10. Charles James, (1886);
11. Blanche Annie (1890 - ?); married name Staines;
12. Notes: (i) of the boys, the eldest, Tedddie, died aged about 15 from (pba recollection) tuberculosis; (ii) the second eldest boy, Ernie, was by the time of the 1891 census already (and possibly had been for some time) working in his Uncle Edwin’s paper mill in Dartford, Kent; (iii) so William, the third eldest boy (and sixth child overall) was thus by the time of the 1891 census when he was aged 12, the eldest boy at home; and (iv) his (two years) younger brother Bert, and Charles became the only other two living boys in a family of 11 (born) children in the UK when Percy died in a tramcar accident in about 1899, by which time Ernest had gone, I think, to Holland; (v) of course William was in Holland until 1900, and perhaps it was the death of Percy which was another important factor in deciding him to come back to the UK; (vi) ie out of 6 boys amongst 11 children, 2 died young, one went abroad, and of the remaining 3, one became rich by inheritance, one worked for the Thames Conservancy, and of the other (Charles) little is yet known;

Family information from James Archer’s Family Bible: Family Register:

Family Register from the bible of James Archer of St. Aldate’s Street and Pembroke Street, Oxford, rearranged by PBA with dates of death moved up to alongside dates of birth, etc:

Parents’ Names:

Husband: John Archer; born: June 22^nd 1803; died: 6^th December 1884; (aged 81 years and 5 months);

Wife: Fanny Archer; born: December 10^th, 1808; died: 13^th February 1881; (aged 72 years and 2 months);

Married: (nothing further entered on this page);

Children’s Names:

Frances Mary Archer: born (1^st): January 20^th 1829; died (*)(6^th): 15^th May 1894 (aged 65  years and 4 months);

Elizabeth Archer: born (2^nd): January 30^th 1830; died (*)(1^st): 4^th December 1866; (aged 36 years and 10 months);

Anne Archer: born (3^rd): June 11^th 1832; died (*)(2^nd): 25^th December 1886; (aged 54 years and 6 months);

John Archer: born (4^th): January 4^th 1834; died (*)(4^th): 7^th October 1891; (aged 57 years and 9 months);

 Thomas Archer: born (5^th): February  2^nd 1835; died (*)(11^th): 6^th September 1920; (aged 85 years and 7 months);

James Archer: born (6^th): Dec 4^th 1836; died (*)(12^th): 12^th October 1922; (aged 85 year s and 10 months);

Ellen Archer: born (7^th): May 16^th 1838; died (*)(8^th): 22^nd June 1912; (aged 74 years and 1 month);

Edward Archer: born (8^th): February 7^th 1842; died (*)(7th): 13^th February 1907; (aged 65  years and  0 months);

Charles Archer: born (9^th): August 20^th 1843; died: (*) (date not shown); (aged   years and    months);

Matilda Archer: born (10^th): June 12^th 1846; died (*)(5^th): 20^th May 1892; (aged 45 years and 11 months);

Alfred George Archer (11^thth): born: February 14 1848; died (*)(9^thth):  7 February 1913; (aged 65 years and  0 months);

William Samuel Archer (12^th): born: July 10^th 1852; died (*)(10^th): 2^nd January 1917; (aged   years and    months);

Rosa/Rose Anne Archer (13^th): born: February 6^th 1854; died (*) (3^rd): 6^th September 1889; (aged 35  years and 7  months);

Marriages:

(No information entered);

Deaths:

Parents:

Fanny Archer: 13^th February 1881;

John Archer: 6^th December 1884;

Children:

Elizabeth Archer: 4^th December 1866;

Annie Archer: 25^th December 1886;

Rosa Anne Archer: 6^th September 1889;

John Archer: 7^th October 1891;

Matilda Archer: 20^th May 1892;

Frances Mary Archer: 15^th May 1894;

Edward Archer: 13^th February 1907;

Helen Archer: 22^nd June 1912;

Alfred George Archer: 7^th February 1913;

William Samuel Archer: 2^nd January 1917;

Thomas Archer: 6^th September 1920;

James Archer: 12^th October 1922;

Fanny Archer, wife of James Archer: 18^th April 1908, age 69.

(ends.pba.16.12.06). 18.12.06: work remains to be done in terms of cross-relating this ‘Family Register’ information to James Archer’s CV generally. The above family register info is itself already somewhat processed in terms of having the death information repasted-in, so as to give ‘from-and-to’ dates for each person (except Charles, who is omitted from the deaths list).

Census information:

1841 Census, Market Street, Oxford: 7 years before Alfred George’s birth, and his elder brother James is a 4-year old with his parents:

1. Market Street, Oxford (no house numbers shown, and the street can only be found by going to the preceding page, which also shows Cornmarket Street adjoining (of course) Market Street; and Ship Street begins immediately after the John Archer household, so apparently the house was in Market Street, on the corner of Ship Street;
2. John Archer, age 35, victualler, born Oxfordshire;
3. Francis Archer, age 30, born Oxon;
4. Elizabeth Archer, age 11, born Oxon;
5. Ann Archer, age 9;
6. John Archer, age 8;
7. Thomas age 6 (not clear);
8. James Archer, age 4;
9. Ellen Archer, age 3;
10. Matilda Archer, age 1; and
11. William Leaver, age 4, and
12. Jane Jefferies, age 20, (possibly a servant/domestic: in the occupation column she has the letters ‘FJ’ or ‘FL’ against her name (not understood); so
13. Notes: (i) James in 1841 is (of course) living with his parents, and it is noteworthy that John Archer (junior), the 2^nd John Archer who was a brewer is in 1841 apparently not in the brewery business, but is supplying ‘victuals’; (ii) James’s mother, Fanny Archer, is aged 30 and has a household of 11 persons including children aged 1 to 11 to care for; and (iii) the family is living in the very centre of Oxford, close to where the Covered Market was when I was a little boy in the 1940s, and which may well have been a market then; 

1841 Census, St Aldates, Oxford:

John Archer, senior, brewer, plus Ann (25), Thomas (20), and Frances (12):

1. City of Oxford, parish of St.Aldates; No. of house not shown. Appears to say (in the column for ‘Uninhabited or Builiding’: ‘2U’ meaning (presumably): 2 (rooms?) uninhabited;

2. John Archer, brewer, age 70, brewer, born in Oxfordshire,

3. Ann Archer, age 25, born in Oxfordshire;

4. Thomas Archer, age 20, born in Oxfordshire;

5. Frances Archer, age 12, born in Oxfordshire;
6. Other professions in adjacent houses: Bookbinder/ hair dyer/ artist/livery stable keeper/ lab(ourer)/ etc;

7. Notes: (i) copy of the census page saved as a jpeg (pba.25.5.07); (ii) although ‘profession/occupation’ of ‘brewer’ is shown above, the 1841 census does not actually show such information, which only came with later censuses; (iii) John Archer (senior)’s wife Mary had by this time died in about 1836 aged 54; and (iv) perhaps John (senior) was indeed still running the brewery;

1851 Census:

Alfred George is 3 years old and living with his parents and family in St Aldates, Oxford:

1. St Aldates Street, Oxford, (no house number given);
2. John Archer, head, married, age 45, brewer, born Oxford, St Aldates;
3. Fanny Archer, wife, married, age 42, born London;
4. Fanny Archer, daughter, unmarried, age 21, born Oxford, St Aldates;
5. Elizabeth Archer, daughter, unmarried, age 20, born Oxford, St Michaels;
6. Ann Archer, daughter, unmarried, age 19, born Oxford, St Michaels;
7. Matilda Archer, daughter, unmarried, age 5, born Oxford, St Giles;
8. John Archer, son, (note the column indicating ‘Condition’, meaning married or unmarried, is not completed for the sons), age 18, Cooper, born Oxford, St Michaels;
9. Thomas Archer, son, age 17, Brewer’s Labourer, born Oxford, St Michaels;
10. James Archer, son, age 14, scholar, born Oxford, St Michaels;
11. Edward Archer, son, age 9, scholar, born Oxford, St Michaels;
12. Charles Archer, son, age 8, scholar, born Oxford, St Michaels;
13. George (not Alfred George) Archer, son, age 3, born Oxford, St Aldates;
14. Next door on St Aldates (on the census) is Sophia Whitty, wife, age 40, and her family, and she is a ‘Shugar boiler’;

1861 Census: 

Couldn’t find Alfred George in the 1861 census. He is not at home at Isis House, St Aldates – see data below from cv of his father, John Archer. He would have been aged about 13. There is a large gap between the ages of Matilda (15) and William (8) in the family members present at Isis House on that night (see below):

1861 Census:

Alfred is not at home at Isis House, St. Aldates, Oxford:

1. Isis House, St Aldates, Oxford;
2. John Archer, head, married, age 56, brewer; born Oxford;
3. Frances Archer, married, age 53, born London;
4. Frances Archer, daughter, unmarried, age 32, born Oxford;
5. Elizabeth Archer, daughter, unmarried, age 31, born Oxford;
6. Thomas Archer, son, unmarried, age 26, born Oxford;
7. James Archer, son, unmarried, age 25, born Oxford;
8. Ellen Archer, daughter, unmarried, age 24, born Oxford;
9. Edward Archer, son, unmarried, age 19, born Oxford;
10. Matilda Archer, daughter, unmarried, age 15, born Oxford;
11. William Archer, son, age 8, born Oxford;
12. Rosa Archer, daughter,  age 6, born Oxford;
13. Mary Cutch, age 84, born Oxon, Ewelm (?);
14. Also present: Frank Mappleson, lodger, age 20 (or 26) Railway worker, born London;
15. Note: next door is apparently ‘Grandpont House’ with Thomas Randle, magistrate and hatter living there;

1871 Census:

Living with his wife Olive, at Back Lane, Rothwell, Northants, before birth of any children:

1. Back Lane, Rothwell (Northants);
2. Alfred George Archer, Head, Married, age 23, officer of Inland Revenue, born Oxford;
3. Olive Emma Archer, wife, married, age 22, born Cornwall, Fowey;
4. No one else listed, so this is indeed before first child Olive Rose, who was 9 years old at the 1881 census, 10 years later, was born;
5. Next door in Back Lane, Rothwell (no house numbers) was John Essex, a ‘Mason’ and his family, including Elizabeth Essex, daughter, a stay maker, and next door to them was William Joyce a labourer at the iron works;

1881 Census: 

Head of house at Shillingford, Oxon with 7 children: 2 born at Rothwell, 2 in Wells, and 3 at Shillingford:

1. Alfred G. Archer, head, married, age 32, Inland Revenue (this word inserted, and it doesn’t really look like ‘Revenue’) Officer/Excise, born Oxford;
2. Olive E. Archer, wife, married, age 32, born Fowey, Cornwall;
3. Olive R. Archer, daughter, unmarried, age 9, scholar, born Rothwell, Northants;
4. Alfrd E. Archer, son, unmarried, age 8, born Rothwell, Northants;
5. Ernest Archer, son, unmarried, age 7, scholar, born Wells, Somerset;
6. Helena E. Archer, daughter, unmarried, age 5, scholar, born Wells, Somerset;
7. Bertha O. Archer, daughter, unmarried, age 3, born Shillingford, Oxon;
8. William GR. Archer, son, unmarried, age 2, born Shillingford, Oxon;
9. Herbert John Archer, son, unmarried, age 9 months, born Shillingford, Oxon; 
10. Amie Frazier, servant, age 16, servant (domestic), born Cholsey; and 
11. Notes: Next door is Lizzie Blumsden, age 40, widowed farmer’s wife and her family;

1891 Census:

Head of house at 7 Tackley Place, St Giles, Oxford, with 9 children: 1 born at Rothwell, 1 born at Wells, 5 born at Shillingford, and 2 born in Oxford, plus his father-in-law, Edward Reed:

1. Alfred G. Archer, head, married, age 42, Inland Revenue officer, employed, born Oxford, Oxfordshire;
2. Olive E. Archer, wife, married, age 42, born Fowey, Cornwall;
3. Olive R. Archer, daughter, single, age 19, born Rothwell, Northants;
4. Helena E. Archer, daughter, single, age 15, born Wells, Somerset;
5. Bertha O. Archer, daughter, age 13, scholar, born Shillingford, Oxon; 
6. William GR Archer, son, age 12, scholar, born Shillingford, Oxon;
7. Herbert J. Archer, son, age 10, born Shillingford, Oxon;
8. Francis K. Archer, daughter, age 8, scholar, born Shillingford, Oxon;
9. John P. Archer, son, age 6, born Shillingford, Oxon;
10. Charles J. Archer, son, age 4, born Oxford, Oxon;
11. Blanche A. Archer, daughter, age 6 months, born Oxford, Oxon;
12. Edward Reed, father-in-law, widower, age 80, Revenue Officer – Superannuated/Retired, born Bovey Tracey, Devonshire;
13. Notes: Next door at No. 8 Tackley Place, the house is uninhabited, and at No. 9 is James Bellows, college servant and his family; 

1901 Census: (click here to go to the census):

Head of house at 7 Tackley Place, Oxford: with 6 children, 1 born at Rothwell, 3 born at Shillingford, and 2 born in Oxford: his eldest son Alfred Edward has died, his son William is a school teacher, and his second-youngest son, John, is to die in Leeds 7 years later:

1. Alfred G. Archer, head, married, age 53, Inland Revenue Officer, worker, born Oxford, Oxon;
2. Olive E. Archer, wife, married, age 52, born Fowey, Cornwall;
3. Olive R. Archer, daughter, single, age 28, born Rothwell, Northants;
4. William GR. Archer, son, single, age 22, school teacher, born Shillingford, Oxon;
5. Herbert J. Archer, son, single, age 20, house furnisher’s assistant, worker, born Shillingford, Oxon;
6. John P. Archer, son, single, age 16, no ‘profession or occupation’ shown, born Shillingford, Oxon;
7. Charles J. Archer, son, single, age 14, no ‘profession or occupation’ shown, born Oxford, Oxon;
8. Blanche A. Archer, daughter, single, age 10, born Oxford, Oxon;
9. Notes: next door at No. 8 Tackley  Place are living John and Jane Wooldridge, and he is aged 45 and a builder, employer, born at Burford, Oxon, and seems likely to be a Wooldridge of the well-known Oxford firm of builders, Wooldridge and Simpson, 

Occupation:    

1. Inland Revenue officer;

2. From his obituary in the Oxford Wesleyan Methodist Circuit Magazine, marked (in manuscript) February 7, 1913: His early professional duties appear to have been of an itinerant nature, for they took him into many parts of the country as well as into Scotlan;.

3. He attained the first class grade, was appointed to his native city in 1886, and remained in office until he retired four years ago after 40 years' ser­vice.

Lived:   

1. Believe he had somewhat of an itinerant life as an inland revenue officer, witness the fact that he was resident at Rothwell at the time of his marriage, but WGRA, for example, was born at Shillingford, and others elsewhere, I believe, but prior to that career  presumably he lived with his parents in Oxford; 
2. From his obituary in the Oxford Wesleyan Methodist Circuit Magazine, marked (in manuscript) February 7, 1913:

 His earliest days were  passed at Isis House, Grandpont, then in the possession of his father. Being one of a large family, the boy early learnt self reliance and grew up with a keen zest for success in life.    

Other biographical details:        

1. Died 7^th February 1913 at 7 Tackley Place, aged 64 years (according to the death certificate), and within 9 days of being 65;
2. The causes of death (according to the death certificate), were:
   a)”Tumour of the spinal cord some months”; and
   b)”Paraplegia. Some months.”;
   c)”Exhaustion”;
3. (PBA, 21^st July 2003): Chambers dictionary states: “Paraplegia: paralysis of the legs and part or the whole of the trunk”. So perhaps the tumour led to the paralysis and paraplegia (by interaction with the spinal cord) and (naturally) the exhaustion. It sounds most unpleasant, and in 1913 the treatment would presumably have been to relieve the symptoms, perhaps by pain-killers such as morphine?
4. Admitted Freeman of the City of Oxford: 3^rd September 1875;
5. Children: of the boys:
   a)Alfred died at age 15;
   b)Ernest had a girl and a boy, (who may have gone to USA);
   c)Herbert: no children;
   d)John: died at age 24  (unmarried?);
   e)Charles:  had one son (Bruce);
   f)William had two sons; (AWA and FGBA);
6. (From FGBA, 3^rd October 1989): as an inland revenue officer he  used a pony and trap to travel about in, checking the specific gravity of the brew;
7. From FGBA, 7^th April 1990, the house at Tackley Place had a lovely big garden, with many apple trees, and  poultry at the bottom. There was a boundary fence at the bottom, with Kingston Road. It also went down to Leckford Road. Also, AGA had a chapel-man’s beard. He kept canaries. He asked FGBA (as a child) to pick dandelions from someone’s garden on the way home from chapel, (for the canaries? PBA 21^st July 2003);
8. (From NERA, 19^th September 1993): he died in 1913 of a neurone disease (she recollected, without any recourse to the death certificate);
9. From his obituary in the Oxford Wesleyan Methodist Circuit Magazine, marked (in manuscript) February 7, 1913: He had been brought up in the Church of England, and baptized and confirmed at St. Aldate's by Canon Christopher(*);
10. From his obituary in the Oxford Wesleyan Methodist Circuit Magazine, marked (in manuscript) February 7, 1913:  It was while in Bath that he took the important step which profoundly influenced his future; he attended the WaIcot Chapel, and becoming acquainted with a family whose Methodist ancestry dated back to Wesley's Day, was in due course happily married to Miss Reed, a devout and earnest worker in society.
11. He became a member and was soon an active local preacher in the Kettering Circuit, when a memorable re­vival broke out; 
12. See the obituary for further details of his life. The obituary is a separate document;
13. Re (*) above concerning Canon Christopher, his appears to be the name on the baptism certificate made on 6^th February 1898, which was 50 years after AGA’s baptism;
    

Dates of entry of data:           21^st July 2003;    and 16^th September 2003; 29.10.2006; 30.10.2006; 29.1.07;

Alfred George Archer’s Obituary:

P27 of OXFORD WESLEYAN METHODIST CIRCUIT MAGAZINE 27

(dated in manuscript “Feb 7 – 1913”)

.WALTON STREET.

The Late Mr Archer 

          I have been asked to write a few lines in memory of our departed friend, Alfred George Archer. It must necessarily be a brief and imperfect tribute to the life of one who long and faithfully served the Church he loved so well. I can only lay a simple wreath on his grave. 

          His removal leaves us much poorer, it is a loss to our Circuit, where local preachers and workers are greatly needed. May God raise up others to replenish the ranks. He was taken from us without a blot on his escutcheon. His experience may fittingly be described in the language of the hymn selected for Oxford by Dr. Osborn as containing the marrow of Methodism :

"0 let me commend my Saviour to you." 

      All who knew him were impressed by his simple dignity, his unflinching integrity, his lofty but lowly character – so much the more lofty because lowly. A property of this was his transparency.  Painted windows are apt to hide the light, only the best to allow it to shine through. His life was of simplicity and godly sincerity. Of the secret spring that lay behind his activities it does not become me to say much. 

        No one who heard his prayers, so simple, so direct, so tender, so earnest, could doubt for a moment the depth of his spiritual life.

      He was by birth a citizen of no mean city. His earliest days were  passed at Isis House, Grandpont, then in the possession of his father. Being one of a large family, the boy early learnt self reliance and grew up with a keen zest for success in life.

       He received his education at Nixon's School, a picturesque old building which was removed when the Town Hall was erected in Oxford. Among the sixty sons of Freemen few shone more brightly than he; in 1865 he carried off the coveted Latin prize, and afterwards becoming a teacher, remained in the school until his appointment to the Civil Service.

      His early professional duties appear to have been of an itinerant nature, for they took him into many parts of the country as well as into Scotland. 

     He had been brought up in the Church of England, and baptized and confirmed at St. AId ate's by Canon Christopher

      It was while in Bath that he took the important step which profoundly influenced his future; he attended the WaIcot Chapel, and becoming acquainted with a family whose Methodist ancestry dated back to Wesley's Day, was in due course happily married to Miss Reed, a devout and earnest worker in society. He became a member and was soon an active local preacher in the Kettering Circuit, when a memorable revival broke out. 

       The high principles he fixed early in life bore much fruit and brought to him the gift of decision; the pathway of right or wrong was always clear, he never hesitated as to which he should tread. Consistent in life and character, he sought earnestly the salvation of others. 

       He was fond of country life. The sights and sounds of nature, the frolics and instincts of dumb animals, the songs of birds, all gave him delight. He was interested in gardening and horticulture, and as a true Oxonian, was an expert skater. 

        His appointment as chief of the Dorchester District, with his home at Shillingford, gave him his heart's desire, and brought him into close touch with village Methodism. He would walk for 50 miles and more in a day, and was much beloved in the houses of our people. The Quarterly Meeting was often held at his house, which was for many years the preachers' home. 

         To his love of rural life he attributed his health and powers of endurance. With the exception of a cycle accident, he passed more than three score years without a day's illness. 

       He was diligent in business, and as a government officer was recognised as one of the most capable of the department's servants.  He attained the first class grade, was appointed to his native city in 1886, and remained in office until he retired four years ago after 40 years' service. 

      As a Christian worker in his varied services to the Church, he was devoted and faithful. For many years he exercised the duties and privileges of a local preacher and class leader. He never sought an office, but diligently and conscientiously filled the appointments that fell to his lot, including those of Circuit Steward, Trustee, Chapel Steward, S. S. Superintendent, Secretary of Quarterly Meeting and Secretary to the Wesleyan Day School, under the old regime. 

         His trained mind and methodical habits enabled him to fix on the essentials of religion with thoroughness. He loved the habitation of God's house and supported it by thought, effort, treasure and prayer. In the counsels of the church his voice was not too frequently heard, but when he felt that vital interests were imperilled his influence was exerted with advantage to our Circuit, which is to-day more united, stronger and richer in spiritual gifts, on account of his influence, his mature counsel, his decisive and manly action. 

        Not the least of the joys of Methodism is found in the sweetness of the beautiful family home life of our people As a father and a husband in the family, and as a friend, Mr. Archer . was much beloved by those who knew him. He  has left behind rich and sacred

memories. 

A typical southener, he was distinguished by many excellent traits of character. He was unassuming, gentle, brotherly; yet fearless and faithful. You could not be with him long without feeling the charm of his beautiful simplicity, his piety, his gentle and modest spirit. It was as a local preacher that he best served his day and generation. He would have deemed life a failure had he not responded to the divine call to preach the Gospel. He aspired to no loftier place upon earth. 

For this work he was well equipped, possessing an accurate acquaintance with Methodist theology, a fine presence, a clear head, a well stored mind, and a warm and loving heart. Inspired by a keen desire for the extension of the Kingdom of God upon earth, his sermons and addresses, which were searching and direct, overflowed with earnest solicitude for the salvation of men.

Amid the vicissitudes of life and the results of travel, he regarded his appointments as sacred. Unwearied in his efforts to reach the people, he frequently visited and influenced for good those who were outside the church. The beautiful simplicity of his life and that simple faith which is "more than Norman blood," impressed all who knew him. He drew from the perennial spring whence comes inspiration and that knowledge that “God's in His heaven-all's right with the world." 

As life mellowed and ripening years unfolded, he seemed to say with Browning:

”Grow old along with me ! 

The best is yet to be, 

The last of life, for which the first was made: 

Our lives are in His hand 

Who saith, "A whole I planned, Youth shows but half;

trust God: see all nor be afraid!”

His quiet life had not been without domestic sorrow, and last year brought disease that baffled medical skill. His suffering he bore with fortitude and much patience.

The last hymn uttered was" Rock of Ages." Upon its foundation in calmness and peace he passed into perfect rest. Awhile the faithful pilgrim lingered on this side of the river, then the King's messenger called him, and now his walk and his talk is with the King, even all the days of eternity. 

Ministers and many Local Preachers and friends were present when, in the sunshine of a beautiful February afternoon, the last service was held for him in the cemetery hard by our Walton Street Church, where the Rev. Cecil Burrow gave an appropriate address. 

We join with many others in this and other Circuits in tendering to the widow and family, who were his devoted coworkers, our deepest Christian sympathy.

(This document scanned 

and amended from the original by pba on Tuesday 16^th September 2003. The highlighted text is highlighted as being of particular interest to pba, for possible transfer to Alfred George Arcber’s  cv).

Another Obituary:

Paper cutting obituary probably from the Oxford Times, and it must have been in February 1913:

DEATH OF MR. A. G. ARCHER.

The death occurred on Friday at his residence, 7, Tackley Place, Oxford, of Mr. Alfred ,George Archer, who was well known and much esteemed in Oxford and the district in his capacity as an Inland Revenue officer, and from his connection with the Wesleyan Church. 

Mr. Archer, who was in his 65th year, had been ill for a long period, having been indisposed as far back as last Easter. 

He was the sixth son of Mr. John Archer, brewer, of St. Aldate's Street, Oxford, being a brother of Mr. James Archer, of Pembroke Street. 

He was educated at Nixon's School, and was one of the most brilliant scholars of a school containing between 60 and 70 boys. Whilst at the school he obtained in 1865 the prize for Latin, and was subsequently a teacher there until he entered the Civil Service. 

He first received an appointment in London, and subsequently served in various parts of England and Scotland. For some years he was in charge of the Dorchester district, and. resided at Shillingford. Mr. Archer took a thorough interest in his work to which he applied himself with considerable industry, and was speedily recognised as one of the most capable of the department's servants. In 1886 he was promoted to the grade of a first class officer at Oxford, where he continued until obliged to retire in 1908, having served for the maximum period of forty years. 

He was a Freeman of the City, and throughout his life an ardent supporter of the Wesleyan cause. Both he and the members of his family were associated with the Walton Street Wesleyan Church, but Mr. Archer's activities extended to a much wider sphere. For upwards of forty years he was a local preacher and class leader, and he was a trustee for several Methodist premises in the Oxford circuit.

THE FUNERAL

Took place on Tuesday afternoon at St. Sepulchre's Cemetery, Walton Street, the first part of the service being held at the Wesleyan Church, Walton Street.

After the usual ceremony in the chapel, the Rev. Charles Burrows, who officiated, delivered a brief address. He said that although they met there that afternoon for a sad and solemn ceremony, they should have thoughts of thankfulness. In the first place they' should be thankful for the life that had been given for so many years, and in the second place they should remember all that had been accomplished throughout that life. They met that afternoon under a cloud and shadow. They thought of one who had lived a good life, and done a good work, (sic) but when they thought of the last few weeks of illness, and of pain valiantly borne, they could only give thanks to God who had given and taken away. They had no thoughts about the one who was gone, for they knew he had a place prepared for him, but they would remember those who were left behind, who would constantly have before them the empty place and the remembrance of one who had been with them so long and had now gone. While they thought of the work of the one gone, they extended the right hand of fellowship and sympathy. Finally, he urged them all to try to follow the Lord Jesus Christ as faithfully and as earnestly as their departed brother, and let them pray that their end might be as blessed and as peaceful.

          The cortege then passed to the cemetery where the final sentences were read by the Rev. C. Burrows.

          The coffin was of polished elm with brass fittings, and the breast plate bore the inscription "Alfred George Archer, Died Feb. 7th, 1913, in his 65th year." 

          The chief mourners included:

• • Messrs. E. A. Archer; W. G. R. Archer;  H. J. Archer; C. J. Archer (sons);
• • Mr. Charles Archer (brother of deceased), 
• • Messrs. E. J. Reed, Oxford, W. H. Reed, Exeter, and E. C. Reed, Raamsdonk, Holland (brothers of Mrs. Archer).

          There were numerous beautiful floral tributes, among which were: 

• • From his loving wife and children; 
• • With fondest love from his brother James, and Miss Parsons; 
• • With deepest sympathy, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Archer; 
• • In loving memory, from George and Ada (Mr. and Mrs. G. Parrott, Sedlescombe); 
• • With deep sympathy, Mr. and Mrs. T. Wood, Oxford; 
• • Deepest sympathy from Ernest and Annie (Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Reed, Raamsdonk, Holland);
• • Love and deepest sympathy, Lena, Gwen,Vernon, and Archie (Mrs. Veall and family, .Maidstone); 
• • Deepest sympathy from Mr. and Mrs. G. Blake; 
• • Loving remembrance and deepest sympathy from Mr. and Mrs. A. Pearson, Oxford; 
• • Sincere sympathy, Mr. and Mrs. Wooldridge, Tackley Place, Oxford; 
• • Sincere sympathy, Mr. and Mrs. Patterson, Divinity Road, Oxford.

          The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. G. Blake and Co., Little Clarendon Street.

(scanned and corrections and format amendments made by pba 17.09.03)

Subject: Alfred George Archer's Will (added 15.5.2018):

1. I, Alfred  George Archer, of No. 7 Tackley Place, Oxford, Gentleman, hereby revoke all former testamentary instruments made by me and declare this to be my last will.

2. I appoint my wife Olive Emma Archer, my daughter Alice (could be Olive, but really looks like Alice) Rose Archer, and my son William George Reed Archer the executors and trustees of this my will;

3. I bequeath to my said wife absolutely all articles of personal or domestic or household use or ornament - belonging to me, and all my plants and garden tools and implements, and also a sum of ten pounds to be paid to her as soon as may be after my death, for her immediate requirements;

4. I also bequeath to my said wife during her life, my leasehold messuage (at) No.7 Tackley Place, Oxford, with the appurtenances thereof, my said wife paying the ground rent thereof, and keeping the same properly insured against fire, and in good repair, and duly performing and observing the covenants and conditions contained in the lease under which the same premises are held, and keeping my general estate indemnified in respect thereof;

5. And from and after the death of my said wife, I declare that the same premises shall be held by my trustees, upon the same trusts as are hereinafter declared concerning my general residuary estate;

6. I devise and bequeath all my real estate of every tenure and all my personal estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever not hereby otherwise disposed of unto and to the use of my said wife and the said Olive Rose Archer and William George Reed Archer, their heirs, executors and administrators respectively, according to the nature thereof, upon trust, that my said wife, and the said Olive Rose Archer and William George Reed Archer, or the survivors or survivor of them, or other(s) (of) the trustees or trustee of this my will, (hereinafter called my trustees), shall sell, call in, collect and convert into money the said real and personal  estate and premises at such time of times and in such manner as they shall think fit, and so that they shall have the fullest power and discretion to postpone the sale, calling in or conversion of the whole or any part or parts of the said premises, including moneys invested on mortgage and leaseholds or other property of terminable or wearing-out nature during such period as they shall think proper, without being responsible for loss, and shall out of the moneys to arise from the sale, calling in or conversion of my said residuary trust estate, or out of the moneys of which I may be possessed, pay my funeral and testamentary expenses and debts, and the legacies bequeathed by this my will or any codicil hereto, and shall invest one moiety of the residue in any of the investments hereinafter authorised; and shall pay the income of the investments,for the time being representing the said moiety, as well before as after the sale, conversion and investment of my said trust estate, to my said wife during her life;

7. And subject to the interest in the said moiety so given as aforesaid (being) so given as aforesaid to my said wife during her life, my trustees shall stand possessed of the whole of the trust premises constituting my net residuary trust estate, and the income thereof, in trust, for all or any (of) my children, or child, then living, of any then deceased child of mine, who, being male, attain the age of twenty-one years, or, being female, attain that age or marry, (and), if more than one, then, (subject as is hereinafter provided) in equal shares, but so that the children of any deceased child of mine, shall take equally between them, only  the share which their parent would have taken, had he or she survived me;

8. Provided nevertheless, that in the event of any one or more of my daughters being a spinster or a widow at my death, or in the event of any daughter having died in my lifetime a widow leaving a child or children living at my death, the share in the said trust premises hereinbefore given to each such daughter (who shall be a spinster or a widow), ior to the child or children of each such widowed daughter deceased (as the case may be), shall exceed in amount by one half the share given to each of my other children, (then) I direct that my trustees shall invest any moneys which may be in their hands (and?) requiring investment in the names of my trustees, in or upon any of the Parliamentary Stocks or Public Funds or Government Securities of the United Kingdom, or India, or any British  Colony or Dependency, or any securities the interest on which is or shall be guaranteed by Parliament, or upon freehold or leasehold securities in Great Britain (but not in Ireland), or any stock of the Bank of England or Bank of Scotland, or in or upon the debentures, debenture stocks, or guaranteed, or preference, or ordinary stock or shares of any railway or other company, a fixed or minimum rate of interest or dividend, on which is guaranteed by the Government of India, or in or upon the debentures, or debenture or rent charge stock, of any Railway, Canal, Dock, Harbour, Gas, Water, or other company or body, incorporated by Special Act of the Imperial Parliament, or of the Legislature of any British Colony or Dependency, or by Royal Charter, or in or upon the stocks, bonds, debentures, or securities, of any public body, municipality, county council, or local authority in the United Kingdom, and may vary or transpose such investments into or for other of any nature hereinbefore authorised;

9. I empower my trustees to manage my real and leasehold hereditaments hereinbefore devised and bequeathed to them in trust, for sale, until the same shall be sold, with all the powers in that behalf of absolute owners, including power to repair and insure houses and buildings, and to lease and accept surrenders of leases and tenancies. 

10. I declare that my trustees may apply the whole, or any part at their discretion, of the income of the share to which any minor shall be entitled in expectancy, and would, if of full age be entitled in (to) possession under the trusts hereinbefore contained, for his or her maintenance, education or benefit, and may either themselves so apply the same, or may pay the same to the parent or guardians of such minor, for the purpose aforesaid, without seeing to the application thereof.

11. In witness whereof I have hereunder set my hand, this second day of December, One Thousand Nine Hundred and Twelve.

12. Signed by the said Alfred George Archer as his last will, in the presence of us present at the same time, who, in his presence, and in that of each other, have, at his request, hereunto subscribed our names, as witnesses, the will having been first read over to him, and he appeared to thoroughly understand the same, and his signature thereto being by his mark only, as he was at the time suffering from neuritis.

13. (and alongside the text of the above paragraph 12 immediately preceding this paragraph, are the words: "The mark of" (on one line, and below that line, the words) "Alfred George Archer", and there is a slightly wobbly cross between the two lines;

14. (and at the bottom of that page, just below the text transcribed above in paragraphs 12 and 13 are the names): H. Terry Baines, Solicitor, Oxford; (and) Edwd. Ja. (presumably Edward James) Reed, 20 St Margaret's Road, Oxford, Gentleman, (Father-in-law of Alfred George Archer)

(bottom RHS of this page, in brackets): "(15 folios)" (perhaps referring to the (large) volume of accompanying paperwork);

15. On the twenty-sixth day of April 1913 probate of this will was granted at Oxford to Olive Emma Archer, widow, the relict, (and to) Olive Rose Archer, spinster, the daughter, and (to) William George Reed Archer, the son, the executors.

16. It is hereby certified that the foregoing is a correct copy. Dated this first day of May 1913. (Stamped with the stamp of the Oxford probate division of  HM High Court of Justice, including/surmounted-by a crown);

17. (Final page - not transcribed as such), which states that:

a) AGA died on 7th February 1913;

b) that the will was proved and registered as of 26th April 1913;

c) that administration of the estate devolved to and vests in OEA, ORA (with an admission that the will calls her "Olice"(!) ),  and WGRA , the executors, and quotes their addresses, and occupations, showing that Aunty Rose and great-grandfather Edward Reed lived together at 20 St Margaret's Road, and WGRA at (of course) 64 Kingston Road, and that he was/considered himself a "House Furnisher" then;

18. Dated 26th April 1913; Gross value of estate £5996.6.8d;

Net value of personal estate: £4999.5.10d

Extracted by the executors

(another stamp of the Oxford probate division court). (ends.pba.16.5.2011).

(Added to website 17.7.2016): cv for John Archer - brewer of St Aldates, Oxford, father of Alfred George Archer (father of WGRA) and of James Archer (founder of ‘Archer & Co’), and of 17 (yes 17) other children, some of whom died in infancy:

Curriculum Vitae

Name: 

John Archer;

Brewer and (very latterly) Coal Merchant;

Referred-to (by me) as ‘John Archer (junior)’;

Son of John Archer (senior), brewer, of Oxford

Dates: 

(i) 22^nd January (or was it June, as stated by NERA in her notes on AGA’s family, and likewise in ‘WGRA.notes.1’?) 1803 to 6^th December 1884 (aged 81, nearly 82). The 22.6.1803 date is consistent with the birth date given by his son Alfred George in his own list of family members and dates;

(ii) death: (death certificate): died 6^th December 1884 at (not easy to read) (undecipherable house number) Grandpont “Berks”, aged 81 years, formerly a brewer. Cause of death: “Hypertrophy (OERD: enlargement of an organ by increase in size of its cells) of Prostate, Cystitis (OERD: inflammation  of urinary bladder caused by infection)”.

England at the end of the 18^th century and the threat of a Napoleonic invasion:

1798: Bonaparte’s army massed on the channel coast and causing fear of invasion in England;

But the navy effectively prevented invasion, though Pitt, prime minister, made a speech calling the nation to arms; 

Napoleon attacked British trading interests in Egypt, and initially had some success on land; but 

1798: French fleet destroyed by Nelson in the battle of the Nile (1798), and Napoleon and his army effectively imprisoned in Egypt; 

By 1803 Napoleon had returned to France and, despite the peace treaty of Amiens (1801) Napoleon’s aggressive speeches led to Britain declaring war again, and in 1803, the year of the birth of John Archer (junior)’s birth, the perceived threat of French invasion was higher than ever. Waterloo was 12 years away;

Education:    Not known.             

Married:   

1. Frances (Fanny) Leaver (dates: 10^th December 1808 to 13^th February 1881, age 72). These dates given in ‘WGRA.notes.1’ document;
2. Date of wedding not yet found; 
3. The censuses show that Fanny Archer was born in London. I wonder how she came to meet John Archer? I suppose there are many ways – including coming to Oxford ‘in service’ for someone, and meeting him in Oxford. It is interesting that John Archer’s son James Archer (who founded the Carrier business) married a girl (Fanny Porter) from London also;
4. I have tried to trace Frances Leaver.Archer’s family via the 4-year-old ‘William Leaver’ who is living with John and Fanny Archer (victualler and his wife) in Market Street, Oxford in the 1841 census, but so far, without success. He is clearly there in Oxford, perhaps staying with his ‘Aunty Fanny’ in that 1841 census, but the census search facility does not find him there when you search under his own name – which could lead on to finding him in subsequent censuses;

Buried: 

11^th December 1884. 

Both John Archer and Fanny Archer (formerly Leaver) are buried at “St Aldates” (church  presumably, and presumably also in the family vault);

Children of John Archer (junior), and Fanny:

1. Fanny (or Frances) Mary, born 20^th January 1829, died single at 7 Tackley Place, Oxford, 15^th May 1894 (age 65), and interred at St Sepulchres. (This information from “Father’s notes” (handwritten notes by WGRA marked ‘WGRA.notes.1’.  From the censuses: (i) in 1841 she is aged 12 and staying with her grandpa John (Archer), aged 70, at (no house number or name given): ‘St. Aldates; (ii) in 1851 she is an unmarried daughter, age 21, living with her parents at No. 63 St. Aldates; and likewise in 1861, but she is by then aged 32; in 1871 her age is shown as 36, and she is ‘Housekeeper’ at the ‘Anchor’ hotel, New Road, Oxford, with her brother James, age 27, ‘Carrier’, and with her sister Matilda, age 21, (likewise ‘Housekeeper’); in 1881 she is head of house at 4 Oriel Street, Oxford, aged 52, unmarried, Lodging House Keeper, with Martha Reynolds, general servant, age 76, born ‘Gloster’; in 1891 she is age 63 living at Stanton St. John with brother James and his wife Fanny, and Alfred Porter, James’s brother-in-law, and John Archer-Sanders (presumably James’s/her brother William’s boy), age 14; and according to the information above, she died in 1884 (death certificate not yet ordered);
2. Elizabeth, born 29^th January 1830 (one   year and nine days after sister Frances Mary), married John (also called “Job”) Gray (about whom  there is a paper-cutting story relating to the Duke of Marlborough’s bottle of wine), buried at Rose  Hill cemetery. In the censuses, Elizabeth is found living with her parents in 1841/51/61 by which time she is aged 31. I have not yet found her in 1871, or later, though there are several Elizabeth Grays married to John Gray, but never of the right generation. In “Father’s notes” ( WGRA.notes.1) it is stated that she had ‘one daughter – dead’. But, at the foot of the WGRA.notes.1 document it is stated: ‘John Gray had 1 daughter: Elizabeth Ann Archer Gray, who died May7th 1888, age 21 years (so born 1867), and was buried in Holywell Cemetery. John/Job Gray himself (says WGRA.notes.1) died 3.7.1907 and was buried at Rose Hill. According to ‘WGRA.notes.1’ (quoting James Archer’s family bible, it says), Elizabeth died on December 4^th 1866 (which makes her 36 years and 10 months ie comparatively young to die, even in mid-19^th century England.
3. Ann, (‘Anne’ in WGRA.notes.7) born 11^th June 1832,  (two years and four months after sister Elizabeth), married on 1.8.1852 Thomas Wood (age 26, commercial clerk, residing at 2 Alfred St., St. Giles, father James Wood, steward), interred at St Sepulchre’s cemetery, Walton Street, Oxford. According to “Father’s notes” (WGRA.notes.1) it appears that the date of the wedding was 07.01.1857 rather than the above date of 1.8.1852 which, I think, is taken from the marriage certificate – not a very important point! According to ‘WGRA.notes.1’ Anne died on December 25^th 1886, which makes her 54 years and about 6 months;
4. John, born 4^th January 1834, (one year and seven months after sister Ann), married Miss Sophia (per WGRA.notes.1) Castle, buried St Aldates, and, according to cousin Gill’s family tree (& WGRA.notes.1), they had a daughter Ada (Archer), born in 1868, and (WGRA.notes.1), Ada Archer married George Parrott, draper, of Queen Street (Oxford, presumably), who lived at Great Milton, Oxon. According to WGRA.notes.7 they had one daughter: Ada  Parrott. John died at ‘Banbury Road’ (WGRA.notes.1) on 7^th October, 1891 – which makes him 57 years and about 9 months;
5. Thomas, born 2^nd January (February says ‘WGRA.notes.1&7) 1835, (one year less two days after brother John), and died (on 6^th September says WGRA.notes.1) 1920 (aged about 85), buried at Cowley with wife and daughter. Cousin Gill’s family tree shows Thomas’s wife as ‘Annie M’ (Archer), and their children as Thomas (born 1870), Annie M, born 1871, Florence (born 1873), and Elizabeth (born 1875). This is generally in-line with ‘WGRA.notes.1’ on Thomas, which merely shows the names ‘Annie, Florence, and Bessie’ without any other information;
6. James, born 4^th December 1836, (one  year and eleven months after brother Thomas), married Fanny Porter 31^st March 1874, they (significantly) had no children, he died 12^th October 1922 (aged 85), and was buried in Osney Cemetery; James Archer started the family furniture removal business. The above marriage and death dates are confirmed by ‘WGRA.notes.1’; so (added 22.8.16): James Archer, the founder of the AC&Co business, was the 6th child (3 girls, then 3 boys) of John Archer and Fanny Leaver - followed by (an incredible) 13, yes, 13, further births, apparently - see below;
7. Ellen, born 16^th May 1838, (one year and five months after brother James), died single. ‘WGRA.notes.1’ says that Ellen died on June 22^nd 1922 as ‘Ellen Archer/Edwards’ (not clear whether with the oblique/slash or perhaps a hyphen: ‘Archer-Edwards’). Elsewhere it is said that she ‘adopted’ the name ‘Edwards’. WGRA.notes,1 also says that she was unmarried, lived at 13 St Johns Street, and was interred at St Sepulchres. See also, notes on George Edwards. These seem to relate to Francis Archer, rather than to Ellen Archer. So it is all rather confusing and needs to be sorted out.pba.17.1.2009.
8. Matilda (1) comes next in ‘WGRA.notes.1’ and she is merely shown as: ‘died young’. My understanding is that the first-born Matilda, died very young, possibly even in childbirth, and that a later child was also called ‘Matilda’. According to ‘WGRA.notes.1’ Matilda (1) was born on 16^th May 1840 and died on 28^th September 1841 – aged 1 year and 4 months and 12 days;
9. Edward, born 7^th February 1842, (almost four years after sister Ellen), died single (at 12 St John Street, according to WGRA.notes1), died on 13^th February 1907 (so he was just 65), and was buried in St Sepulchre’s cemetery (age 64, per pba manuscript notes);
10. Charles, born 20^th (WGRA.notes.1 says 18^th) August 1843, (one year and six months after brother Edward), married Miss Wells, no children. ‘WGRA. notes.1 says she was ‘Carrie Wells’ of (it may refer to her before, or  to them both after marriage) Stadhampton. He is apparently buried at Wolvercote cemetery, and died (per WGRA.notes.1) at (WGRA.notes.7 says ‘lived at’) 45 Leckford Road in July 1936, which makes him aged 93, which is, I believe, the oldest Archer known to me;
11. Next after Charles in ‘WGRA.notes.1’ comes: Matilda who should perhaps be designated ‘Matilda (2)’, as an earlier Matilda (above) died. WGRA.notes.1 says Matilda died Tilley Saunders, and mentions the names (presumably children): Louis, John, Maggie, Rose and ’10 other children’. This is presumably the Matilda Archer who, in 1871 (from recollection) was with her brother James at his hotel in New Road, Oxford, and I have been unable easily via Ancestry to confirm the above suggestion that she married (early presumably) and had an enormous family, like John Archer (junior). Her dates entered on the dates list on the back of ‘WGRA.notes.1’ are: (birth): 12^th June 1846, and death: 20^th July (May – per WGRA.notes.7) 1892, which makes her merely 46 at death, but she might have died in her forties in childbirth. WGRA.notes.7 says she married John Saunders and had 2 daughters and one son;
12. Alfred George, born 16^th (14^th? – per WGRA.notes.1) February 1848, married Olive Emma Reed, had eleven children, and died 7^th February 1913, in his 65^th year. Nothing in ‘WGRA.notes.1’ about AGA – apart from his dates. WGRA.noes.7 shows: died Feb 7^th 1913 and married Olive E. Reed;
13. William Samuel, born 10^th July 1852, (almost four and a half years after brother Alfred George), one son and one daughter (WGRA.notes.1 mentions: ‘William’, perhaps as the son, and then ‘John, daughter’, perhaps as the children of the son William), died 2^nd January 1917, aged 64, buried in St Sepulchre’s cemetery, married Matilda Saunders (see notes above on Matilda. Need to sort out which is correct. Look elsewhere in already-existing CVs) (dates 12^th June 1846 to 20^th May 1892, age almost 46). WGRA.notes.7 simply shows: one son and one daughter, no names given;
14. Rose Anne, born 6^th February 1854, (one year and seven months after brother William Samuel, died 6^th September 1889, aged 35, single, buried in family vault in St Aldate’s. ‘WGRA.notes.1’ calls her ‘Ann Rose’, whereas WGRA.notes.7 says ‘Rosa Anne’; (10.3.2011): This must be his “afflicted daughter” as mentioned in John Archer (junior)’s will and to whom the whole estate (of £15.5.6) was devoted during her lifetime; not known to me what was the nature of the affliction; (death certificate ordered 10.3.11 to see if it gives any information);
15. Seven (not quite sure where the “seven” came from, pba, as FGBA’s manuscript note says just refers to “other children” who died in infancy; (if so, a total of 19 children apparently born);
16. Notes: 1871 census shows Matilda, sister of James and Frances, age 21, so born 1850;

Father: John Archer (junior) was the  first (?) child of John Archer (senior), brewer, (1772 to 1847);

Mother: Mary (who?); 

John and his siblings:

1. John Archer (junior), brewer, himself, (1803 – 1881), who married Francis Leaver, and had 12 living (and perhaps 7 additional) children between 1829 and 1854);
2. Mary (Thompson), needleworker, who lived with Ann and Thomas in 1851/ 1861/1871;
3. Thomas, who died single, was born 26^th April 1817, and baptised at St Aldates 27^th April 1817, and lived with Ann and Mary in Adelaide Street, and died there, and was admitted Hannaster 26^th July 1841;
4. Ann, who died single, and was born 2^nd March 1815; and lived with Thomas, her bachelor brother in Adelaide Street;
5. Elizabeth, who went to  Australia, and returned, and died in England on 11^th January 1885, and who married a Scotsman called Rawlinson. No children;
6. Rose (not shown by cousin Gill in her family tree, and not yet found in any of the censuses). Not sure where this name came from (3.11.08), and may well be incorrect;
7. NB: only John junior had any children (but he made up for it:!); (17.7.16): this does seem to be a very remarkable fact: that the entire future existence of this line of the Archer family depends entirely on one member alone of the family;

Occupation: 

Brewer, and (in 1871 only) Coal Merchant;

Census dates: (per Nick Barratt’s ‘Encyclopedia of Genealogy’):

1. Sunday 6 June 1841;
2. Sunday 30 March 1851;
3. Sunday 7 April 1861;
4. Sunday 2 April 1871;
5. Sunday 3 April 1881;
6. Sunday 5 April 1891; and 
7. Sunday 31 March 1901;

Census data, 1841 Census: Victualler, age 35, living in Market Street, on the corner with Ship Street, with his wife and 8 children, a nephew and one servant:

1. City of Oxford, parish of St. Michaels,  (eventually deciphered as) ‘Market Street’;
2. John Archer, male, age 35, victualler, born in same county;
3. Frances Archer, female, age 30, born in same county;
4. Elizabeth Archer, daughter, age 11, born in same county; 
5. Ann Archer, daughter, age 9, born in same county; 
6. John Archer, son, age 8, born in same county;
7. Thomas Archer, son, age 6, born in same county;
8. James Archer, son, age 4, born in same county;
9. Ellen Archer, daughter, age 3, born in same county;
10. Matilda Archer, daughter, age 1, born in same county;
11. William Leaver, age 4, (presumably a nephew of John’s), born in same county; and
12. Jane Jefferies, age 20, (presumably as servant), born in same county;
13. Note that Ship Street commences immediately after this household, so the  house is on the corner of Market Street, and Ship Street;

1851 Census:

Brewer, age 45, living at No. 63 St. Aldates, with his wife and 10 children:

1. Parish of St. Aldates, City of Oxford, No. 63, St. Aldates Street; 
2. Other houses on same sheet in same street: Nos. 61, 62, and 64;
3. John Archer, head of family; married; age: 45 (definitely 45, not 48), brewer, born Oxford, St. Aldates; 
4. Fanny Archer; wife; married; age 42; born: London;
5. Fanny Archer; daughter; unmarried, age: 21, born Oxford, St. Aldates;
6. Elizabeth Archer, daughter; unmarried, age 20; born: Oxford, St. Michaels; 
7. Ann Archer; daughter, unmarried; age 19; born: Oxford, St. Michaels;
8. Matilda Archer; daughter, unmarried, age 5, born: Oxford, St. Giles’;
9. John Archer, son, age 18; cooper; born: Oxford, St. Michaels;
10. Thomas Archer, son, age 17, brewer’s labourer; born Oxford, St. Michaels;
11. James Archer, son, age 14; scholar; born: Oxford, St. Michaels;
12. Edward Archer, son, age 9; scholar; born: Oxford, St. Michaels;
13. Charles Archer, son, age 8; scholar; born: Oxford, St. Michaels;
14. George Archer, son, age 3; scholar, born: Oxford, St. Aldates;
15. Notes: (i) 4 daughters and 6 sons living at home with John and Fanny Archer, ages 45 and 42,  at No. 63 St. Aldates; (ii) next door, at No. 62 St. Aldates: ‘Thomas Hewes, College Servant’;

1861 Census: 

Brewer, age 56, living at Isis House, St. Aldates, Oxford, in a household of 13:

1. Isis House, St Aldates, Oxford;
2. John Archer, head, married, age 56, brewer; born Oxford;
3. Frances Archer, married, age 53, born London;
4. Frances Archer, daughter, unmarried, age 32, born Oxford;
5. Elizabeth Archer, daughter, unmarried, age 31, born Oxford;
6. Thomas Archer, son, unmarried, age 26, born Oxford;
7. James Archer, son, unmarried, age 25, born Oxford;
8. Ellen Archer, daughter, unmarried, age 24, born Oxford;
9. Edward Archer, son, unmarried, age 19, born Oxford;
10. Matilda Archer, daughter, unmarried, age 15, born Oxford;
11. William Archer, son, age 8, born Oxford;
12. Rosa Archer, daughter,  age 6, born Oxford;
13. Mary Cutch, age 84, born Oxon, Ewelm (?);
14. Also present: Frank Mappleson, lodger, age 20 (or 26) Railway worker, born London;
15. Note: next door is apparently ‘Grandpont House’ with Thomas Randle, magistrate and hatter living there;

1871 Census: 

Coal Merchant, age 67, living at Abingdon Road, Berks,  (next door to Lock House and Folly Bridge Boat House) with wife and son and daughter:

1. John Archer, head, married, age 67, Coal Merchant (so perhaps the brewery has now been sold), born Oxford, St. Aldates;
2. Fanny Archer, wife, married, age 64, born London, Westminster;
3. Rosa Archer, daughter, unmarried, age 17, born Oxford, St. Aldates;
4. William Archer, son, unmarried, age 18, born Oxford, St. Aldates;
5. Susannah Huckwell, servant, unmarried, age 17, Domestic Servant, born Barton, Oxford;
6. Next two houses are: Grandpont House, where Thomas Randle (Magistrate/ Alderman) and his wife Elizabeth live, aged 65 and 61, and then ‘Thistle White House, Abingdon Road, where Ann Braithwaite (widow) aged 50 is an ‘Inn Keeper’;
7. Note: this sheet of the census is No. 36 of 36, and is marked “Transferred to Berkshire” and crossed-out quite boldly;

1871 Census:

Daughters Frances and Matilda and son James, living at Anchor Hotel, New Road, St. Peter le Bailey civil parish, Oxford:

1. (After ie next-door-to, No. 10 New Road, Oxford): New Road Anchor Hotel;
2. James Archer, head, unmarried, age 27, Carrier, born Oxford, Oxon;
3. Frances Archer, sister, unmarried, age 36, Housekeeper, born Oxford, Oxon;
4. Matilda Archer, sister, unmarried, age 21,  Housekeeper, born Oxford, Oxon;

1881 Census:

Retired Brewer, living at Folly Bridge with daughter Rosa, and a servant:

1. Folly Bridge, (next door to Grandpont House, Abingdon Road, where Thomas Randle, retired hatter is still living) ie John Archer is apparently living in the same house as in 1871;
2. John Archer, head, widower, age 77, born Oxford, Oxon;
3. Rosa Archer, daughter, unmarried, age 27, ‘No occupation’ (crossed-out), born Oxford, Oxon;
4. Esther Wheeler, servant, unmarried, age 19, General Servant, born Buscot (looks like) Gloucestershire;

Lived: 

1.Presumably lived mainly or entirely in Oxford, if he was in charge of the family brewery (assumption on pba’s part);
2.FGBA’s manuscript notes say “Lived at Isis House, Grandpont, Oxford”;

3. The Tiff image of what I believe must be his house at Folly Bridge, is taken from the ‘Godfrey Edition’ map of ‘South Oxford 1898’, and clearly shows what corresponds to the two houses mentioned in the censuses of 1861/1871/1881, one of which is Thomas Randle’s ‘Grandpont House’. (PBA): How many times I was within sight of this house when on afternoon school walks from Christ Church Cathedral Choir School (approx 1948 – 54), or was resting on my oar (having rowed up in an eight from Iffley Lock) when at Magdalen College School (1954 – 61), but had no idea that any member of the family had lived there; but my father (FGBA) never mentioned such things in ordinary conversation; see the photos in the ‘Event’ ‘Oxford 2.5.09’ on this Mac, which includes at frames P5020113 to 116, several views of what I believe is John Archer’s residence;

4. FGBA’ s manuscript notes also say, that in 1883 John Archer (junior) lived at 7 Banbury Road;

Other biographical details:        

1. Admitted freeman or “Hanaster” (Corporation of merchants), 16^th August 1825 age 22); (source of this data not noted here);
2. Note that the envelope marked ‘James Archer, Freedom: City of Oxford’ shows a date of 13^th June 1796 for John Archer Jnr, in terms of  ‘also of’ John Archer, meaning date of birth presumably; (but not fitting data above), so not clear what this date is/means; (pba 21^st November 2005);
3. Ordered 24^th January 1997 death certificate (reference 4^th quarter 1884 Oxford Vol 3a page 465) (see data below); and searched for  death certificate of  Fanny Leaver/Archer who apparently died  13^th February 1881 aged 72, but could not find it, so TO DO: find death certificate of Fanny Leaver; (could not find it on 5.11.08);
4. From death certificate: died 6^th December 1884 at (not easy to read) (undecipherable house number) Grandpont “Berks”(looks like, but could it be “bakery”), Oxford “1051” (whatever that means), aged 81 years, formerly a brewer. Cause of death: “Hypertrophy (OERD: enlargement of an organ by increase in size of its cells) of Prostate, Cystitis (OERD: inflammation  of urinary bladder caused by infection)”. Informant for death certificate: John Archer, son, of  7 Banbury Road, Oxford;
5. (From FGBA, 3^rd October 1989): the two John Archers were both brewers. They lived in a big house at the beginning of Banbury Road (pba:  perhaps the 7 Banbury Road, mentioned on the death certificate, which FGBA did not see);
6. (From FGBA, 3^rd October 1989): One Archer was the landlord of the Anchor Inn in New Road,  Oxford (near Coopers, the hardware store which used to be/still is? at the top of St Ebbes Street; Note added 9.11.08: I have found James Archer and his sisters at The Anchor inn, in New Road, in some of the censuses. It had not occurred to me that he might be the landlord – though it’s obvious really;
7. Resident St Aldates, from poll of Freemen 1812;
8. In 1883, the year before he died, he lived at 7 Banbury Road;
9. Also lived (presumably before the above) in Isis House, Grandpont, Oxford;
10. From “Roll of freemen of the city of Oxford”:
    a)1835: Archer ,  John (junior), Jesus College Lane, St Michaels, Victualler;
    b) 1825: Archer ,  John (junior), St Aldates, Brewer;
    c) 1820: no entry for John Archer;
    d) 1818: Archer ,  John (junior), St Aldates, Brewer;
    e) 1812: Archer ,  John (junior), St Aldates, Brewer;
    f) 1812: Archer ,  John (senior), St Aldates, “Gent”;
    g) 1868: Archer ,  John (junior), St Aldates, Brewer;

The Will of John Archer (junior):

1. Will received from National Wills service 10.03.2011;
2. Basic provisions:
   a) all estate to be used to support his “afflicted daughter Rose Anne” during her life; then
   b) to be equally divided equally between his all his other children;
   c) amount of the estate: £15.5.6, so that’s about £1 each even if distributed there and then;
   d) so, John Archer (junior) was NOT in any way, apparently, a successful businessman at all. He was a family man, possibly financially successful at some stages of his life, but by the end his resources were minimal; and he left a tiny estate to his daughter. Not enough, I would have thought, to do much for her for any length  of  time, though I do not know what £15.5.6 would have bought in those days;
   e) did I know that his daughter Rose Anne was ‘afflicted’? Answer: No. I had no idea. Must investigate as best I can – death certificate ordered 10.3.11.

Cross reference data:

• Reference for this sheet:       1803/JA(jnr)       
• Reference for related sheets:                 

Dates of entry of data:           30^th July 2003;  30.10.2006;  29.1.07; 25.5.07;

C:\My Documents\Family History General\C.V.s\John Archer (junior) and brothers and sisters and spouses\cv(John Archer (junior)).doc

Data from WGRA’s notes, to be cross-checked:

The following is simply pasted from ‘WGRA.notes.1’ so that its details can be cross-checked in due course against the details for John Junior’s family and the sons and daughters of that family: (pba.10.2.2009): 

This is WGRA.notes.1

Notes made by WGRA (and very clearly in his own very legible handwriting) on family history matters and filed away and now transcribed so as to be searchable/accessible for addition to family CVs:

John Archer and Fanny Leaver’s family:
(pba: this is John Junior, son of John Senior)

1. Francis Mary, born Jan 20^th 1829, died at 7 Tackley Place, May 13^th 1894, single, interred at St Sepulchre’s cemetery;
2. Elizabeth, born Jan 29^th 1830, died Dec 4^th 1866, married Job Grey, Job Grey had one daughter: Eliz Ann Archer Grey, who died May 7^th 1888 aged 21 and is buried in Holywell cemetery;
3. Ann, born June 11^th 1832, died Dec 25^th 1886 at Walton Street, buried in St Sepulchre’s cemetery, married Tom Wood who died and is likewise buried in St Sepulchre’s cemetery;
4. John, born Jan 4^th 1834, died Oct 7^th 1891 at Banbury Road, and buried in St Sepulchre’s cemetery, married Miss Castle, had one daughter, “Ada”, who married George Parrott, draper, of Queen Street, now (no date on these notes, pba) living at Great Milton, Oxon: one son: George;
5. Thomas, born Feb 2^nd 1835, died Sep 6^th 1920 at St Mary’s Road, Rose Hill (Rose Hill in pencil), married (remainder of Thomas is in pencil): Anna Maria,  who died in 1885 and is buried at St James’s church, Cowley:
   Children:
   a) Annie: single, living St Mary’s Road, died 1935?
   b) Bessie:
   c) Florence – Mrs Earle;
   d) One son – died before his father, buried in same grave;
6. James, born Dec 4^th 1836, died Oct 12^th 1922, buried in Osney cemetery, married Fanny Porter: (i) the only daughter of Thomas Porter, bootmaker of 17 Henrietta Street, Portman Square, London; (ii) she was born Nov 13^th, 1839, (iii) baptized Dec 25^th, 1858,  and (iv) her mother, Fanny Porter, died Aug 19, 1885, aged 84 years, and was interred in Osney cemetery; (v) Fanny Porter.Archer died at Bournemouth, April 18^th 1908, and is also interred in Osney cemetery;
   (end of page 1 of WGRA.notes.1)
   Page 2:
7. Ellen Archer, born May 16^th 1838, died at 13 St John street, June 22^nd, 1912, interred in St Sepulchre’s cemetery, adopted name of Ellen Archer Edwards (unmarried);
8. Matilda, born May 16^th 1840, died Sep 28^th 1841;
9. Edward, born Feb 7^th 1842,  died Feb 13^th 1907, single, at 12 (not 13) St John Street;
10. Charles, born Aug 18^th 1843, (written in pencil: ‘died Dec 5^th 1936, at 45 Leckford Road’) married Caroline Wells of Stadhampton, no children (and, pba, written in pencil below the words about Caroline Wells, and thus presumably relating to her): ‘who died July 1936, buried at Wolvercote cemetery’;
11. Matilda, born June 12^th 1846, died May 20^th 1892 (pba: so that’s aged 45, nearly 46), married John Sanders: (i) daughter Louise who married cousin Harry Wood, (ii) son, John, (who) married, (iii) daughter Maggie  (who became, pba): Mrs Suckling; (and, pba): I believe I have a photo in the system of ‘Tilly Sanders’, which is (to me) not very (to say the least) flattering;
12. Alfred George, born Feb (14 in pencil), 1848, died Feb 7^th 1913 at 7 Tackley Place, Oxford, buried St Sepulchre’s (cemetery), married Olive Emma Reed; children:
    (i) Olive Rose Archer, 20 St. Margaret’s Road, single;
    (ii) E.A. Archer, Jansweg 11, Haarlem: 1 son, 1 daughter;
    (iii) Helena E. (Brough), 16 Portland Road, (no children);
    (iv) Bertha Olive (Rowe), High Street, March: 1 son, 1 daughter;
    (v) Wm G.R. Archer, m. Elizabeth Gilder; 2 sons, 3 daughters;
    (vi) Herbert J. Archer, m. Clara Marston, no children;
    (vii) Francis Kate (Nurse), Burrowmoor Road, March: 2 sons;
    (viii) John P. Archer, died single;
    (ix) Charles J. Archer, m. Gertrude Burgess: 1 son, Bruce;
    (x) Blanche Anne, m. Staines, Five Ashes: 1 son;
13. William Samuel, born July 10^th 1852, died Jan 2^nd 1917 at 13 St John Street, (Oxford presumably, pba), married (does not say who to): 1 son, John (written in pencil: ‘Birmingham’), 1 daughter: Mrs F. Mullen;
14. Rose Anne, born Feb 6^th, 1854, died Sept 6^th 1889 (single), interred in vault, St Aldates, Sept 9^th 1889. (ends.pba.10.2.2009).