William Segar Archer (1789 - 1855)

Born 5 Mar 1789 in Amelia, Virginia, United States

Ancestors

Died 28 Mar 1855 at age 66 in Amelia, Virginia, United States

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William S. Archer is Notable.

Preceded by William H. Roane

William S. Archer US Senator (Class 2) from Virginia 1841—1847

Succeeded by Robert M. T. Hunter

Biography

"Archer, William S., was born in Amelia county, Virginia, March 5, 1789, son of Major John Archer, who in the revolutionary war was aide to General Wayne, and acquitted himself with special distinction at the capture of Stony Point, and grandson of William Archer, of Welsh ancestry, a colonel in the revolutionary army, who died on a British prison ship. He was educated at the College of William and Mary, graduated in 1806, and studied law. He was elected to the state legislature, and served. with the exception of a single year from 1812 to 1819. In 1820 he became a member from Virginia to the house of representatives. where he remained until 1835, exerting a wide influence, especially as chairman of the committee on foreign affairs, and as a member of the committee on the Missouri compromise. He was a States rights man and supported General Jackson till his proclamation against South Carolina in 1832, when he joined the new Whig party of opposition. In 1841 he was elected to the United States senate, and gave a very reluctant support to Clay's project of a bank. In 1844 he was chairman of the senate committee on foreign relations, and opposed the annexation of Texas. He served until 1847, when he retired to his estate in Amelia county, where he died March 28, 1855."

Mary Jefferson , Old Homes and Buildings of Amelia County, Va, page 69 for a photo of his home. ^[1] His will made provision for a natural son, William Archer Work (1)

Sources

1. ↑ Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, Volume II, By: Lyon Gardiner Tyler, LL. D. Lewis Historical Publishing Company New York 1915

• Find A Grave Memorial# 6643997
• William S. Archer on Wikipedia
• Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

1) Bulletin of the Va State Library, 11 (1918): page 155.