Source: History of the Pan-Handle West Virginia 1879
Page 351
Samuel Archer, was born in Scotland in 1745. He, with a number of others, left that country on account of religious persecutions, and went to Ireland, where he married Miss Nancy Thompson, about 1768.
In 1770, he together with many of the same company, emigrated to America, arriving in Baltimore in the fall of that year, at which place they separated and located at different places. Mr. Archer seems to have had two brothers in the company, who settled in separate localities. From different branches of the Archer family have sprung some of the eminent men of this country, who have occupied prominent positions in the national councils. They have occupied seats in both branches of congress with credit to themselves and honor to this country. Mr. Archer soon after landing in America, removed to Carlisle, Pa and took a claim.
About 1798, he removed to Brooke county VA. To a farm now owned by Samuel Hindman, where he cultivated a nursery. His wife died and was buried on that farm. Mr. Archer died about 1819, near Independence, PA. and is buried in Mount Hope church cemetery.
EBENEZER ARCHER, SON OF Samuel Archer, was born about 1770 and came with his parents to Washington county, Pennsylvania, when young. In 1794 he married Miss Elizabeth Jordan, and removed to Brooke county, Virginia, in 1797, where he settled on the farm now owned by William Williamson on Eldersville road, two miles east of Steubenville, Ohio. He lived there some sixteen years and died in 1814. He was buried at the U P Church of Cross Creek.
SAMUEL ARCHER: Son of Ebenezer Archer was born near Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, Washington county, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1795, and came with his parents to Brooke county, Virginia, when almost two years old. In March 1821, he married Miss Mary Lee, by which marriage they reared a family of six children, five sons and one daughter. The sons were William L., Ebenezer. David, Thompson, James and Samuel. The daughter's name was Elizabeth. In 1861 he bought the George Atkinson farm. His wife died May 1, 1851. His second marriage was with Mrs. Jane McNary, who died in December 1, 1863.
Of Mr. Archers[s children:
Elizabeth married George G. Orr of Holidays Cove, where she died, leaving six children.
William L. married Miss Harriet L. Whitting, of Litchfield, Conn. And removed to near Burgettstown, Washington county, PA. where he is engaged in farming and raising fine wool sheep.
Ebenezer died at an early age.
David T. died at the age of twenty-one.
James Archer the principal subject of this sketch, was born on the farm where he now resides June 8, 1832. He was married October 29, 1863, to Miss Susan Crawford, of Hancock county, West Virginia, whose family history will be seen in the "Crawford Family", found elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Archer owns and resides on the old "homestead", situated on the elevated plateau, directly east of Steubenville, and about one-half mile from the Ohio River. It is known as the "Archer Heights" farm, and has the appearance of being No. 1 in quality and is kept in a very high state of cultivation.
Samuel the youngest son married Miss Mary Wiley of Hancock W VA. in January 1864. He now lives in Missouri near Kansas Cit, where he is engaged in farming and stock raising, devoting especial attention to merino sheep.
(Please note. The book has a much longer bio. of this family. You can stop at the library for further details.)