Archer family

Archer

Coat of Arms of the Archer family
Ethnicity	British
Place of origin	Hertfordshire, England
Connected families	Kermode, Mifflin,
Distinctions	Prominence in business, politics and farming
Estate	Brickendon, Landfall

The Archer family are a notable family in Tasmania, Australia, prominent in society, business and politics of Tasmania for the last two centuries. They are best known today for their now world-heritage listed farm estates, Brickendon Estate and Woolmers Estate, but have contributed to many areas of Tasmania throughout their history. Other members of the family have been Mayors of Hertfordshire in England and influential in the American Civil War.

Among the family, there have been 7 members of the Tasmanian Parliament and numerous members of Longford Municipal Council.

Captain William Minors was cousin of Thomas Archer and a Mayor of Hertford in 1662.

Doctor Thomas Archer was an Alderman of Hertford. He served as Mayor of Hertford in 1681 and 1694, and died that year. His brothers were John, Henry and Joseph Archer. He had three children; John, William and Joseph.

Only son of John Archer, and grandson of Thomas Archer (unknown-1694), Thomas Archer married Sarah Newton, daughter of Edmond Newton of Bengeo. His daughter Sarah died at birth, and he left one son, John Archer. He left considerable property upon death.

John Archer was the only son of Thomas Archer. He married Mary Bazeil (or Bassett) in 1752, and had two sons and one daughter; William Archer (unknown-1833), Henry Waldegrave Archer (unknown-1788) and Mary Archer (unknown-1805)

William Archer was the eldest son of John Archer and therefore ancestor of all Tasmanian members of the Archer family. He was great great grandson of Thomas Archer (unknown-1667). He married Martha Kensey and was a miller by trade. He stayed in England until 1827 when he joined his sons in Tasmania. He died from a fall from a horse in 1833.

Henry Archer was the second son of John Archer and younger brother of William Archer (unknown-1833). He traveled to America, where he became a Major and volunteer adjutant to Anthony Wayne. He was granted the Brevet of Captain by an act of the US Congress on July 26, 1779 for bringing General Washington's missives safety to Congress. Henry Archer went on to marry Rebecca Mifflin, cousin of Thomas Mifflin 1st Governor of Pennsylvania. It was recorded in 1784 that he was appointed Lieutenant of Northampton, Massachusetts. He died in 1788 and was buried at the "Friends burial ground on the Corner of Arch and Fourth Streets", possibly Arch Street Friends Meeting House.