no date

Archer, Robert (fl. 1840)

Autograph document signed

Title: to the governor & council of the state of Virginia

Regarding the present Quarantine establishment located on Tanners Creek 7 miles from Norfolk, acquisition and decrepit condition of the property and structures thereon, inability to bring boats up creek due to low-level of water, possible better sites, example of situation where new site could have been put to good use. Archer petitions the Virginia government for a quarantine area, with the example of "a vessel arrives, freighted if I may use the expression yellow fever; her crew lingering off a miserable existence, insulated by a cargo of animal and vegetable putrefaction." Dr. Archer had...

GLC01896.011

31 May 1842

Archer, Robert (fl. 1840)

Typed document

Title: Report to the State Board of Agriculture on Elizabeth City County

Transcript of original from the "Farmers' Register," Vol. 10, p. 335-339. Concerning the geography and climate of Virginia, the state's agricultural characteristics, soil composition, types of crops grown, planting and cultivationg instructions, farming instruments, livestock, and the faultiness of the state's labor production and its effects on both the economy and society.

GLC01896.012

6 March 1847

Maxwell, William (1784-1857)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dr. Robert Archer

Regarding "...meeting of the Executive Committee of our Virginia Historical & Philosophical Society, the following resolution was adopted, on the matter of [illegible] Capt. [illegible] H. Ellis..." Also, includes the Society's request for Archer to prepare a description and historical account of Fort George, on Old Point Comfort, Va. Maxwell, a Yale-educated attorney, was a noted poet and President of Hampden-Sidney College in Virginia.

GLC01896.013

22 March 1847

Archer, Robert (fl. 1840)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Maxwell

Response to previous letter regarding the Virginia Historical & Philosophical Society, providing a description and historical account of Fort George, on Old Point Comfort, Va. The fort was first ordered built in 1629-30 by Sir John Henry, Govenor of Virginia. "The work was called Fort George. The front lines only and part of the flanks are now tracable. The rear lines having been obliterated by the excavation of the ditch of Fort Monroe."

GLC01896.014

12 June 1858

Jeffery, Roberta (fl. 1850-1900)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Regarding his bad headaches and the well being of the children, a party given for them, Archer's handling of the farm, death of aquaintance [Sandie Parker] from paralysis of the spine.

GLC01896.015

20 May 1856

Dobbin, James Cochran (1814-1857)

Document signed

Title: [Request for examination by the board of Naval Engineers]

Requests that Archer report to Daniel B. Martin, Esq., Chief Engineer, to be examined by the Board of Engineers. The form is to be given to the care of J.R. Anderson, Esqr., Tredegar Iron Works, Richmond, Va. Document co-signed by Daniel B. Martin on 1856/06/02 when Archer reported, and again on 1856/06/20 when Martin signed for Archer's discharge. Dobbin was secretary of the Navy (1853-1857) under Franklin Pierce.

GLC01896.016

31 January 1858

Archer, Robert (fl. 1840)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward R. Archer

Three separate entries [one written by Robert Archer, another by Frances Archer, and the third by an unidentified writer which is incomplete] to their son, Edward, all written on the same date. Mr. Archer writes of his son's arrival in Madina, happenings at home, recent births, Mrs. Archer's return from Norfolk, family news, hard times for business, ship building, and changing of personnel as ship commander and chief, respectively. Mrs. Archer writes of her two month stay in Norfolk with Edward's sister, a newly acquired housekeeper, his niece, parties in Norfolk, health of family friends...

GLC01896.023

7 August 1858

Jeffery, Roberta (fl. 1850-1900)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Archer

Astonishment and joy over Sue's marriage to William [Jones], the sentiments of Kate, Sally, and Dr. A., news of family and friends, construction of a new Catholic church, Richard [Jeffery]'s request for Chinese pegs and Edward's bad fortune in love with Miss Tyler: "...[she] is married so you have lost your chance there." Also, writes that she knows he is "...surrounded by temptations [prostitution?] & I pray God you may have strength given you to resist them manfully."

GLC01896.024

1859

Wood, William W. W. (d.1882)

Autograph manuscript signed

Title: General Orders for the Engineers Department of the U.S.S. Sloop "Lancaster"

The General Orders includes 7 articles regarding duties assigned according to rank, 19 articles on day-to-day operations and procedures, and orders while "In Port," "At Sea - Steaming," "At Sea - Not Steaming," "Coming to," "Loading Ship," and orders regarding "Lights." Signed on docket by Wood, Chief Engineer. Wood, a pioneer of the steam Navy, oversaw construction of the Merrimac. He later served as engineer and Chief of the Navy and reached the rank of commodore.

GLC01896.025

6 October 1858

Unknown

Document

Title: to Edward R. Archer, Esqr.

Envelope is addressed to "E.R. Archer, 3rd Assit. Engineer, U.S.S. Steam Ship Powhatan, Hong Kong, China. / Care of [illegible] Speiden, Naval Store [illegible] / Answered Jan'y 14th/[18]59." Reverse: "Written 6th Octr. / Rcd. 29th December/[18]58 / Whampon, China." Multiple postmarks and stamps, the earliest postmark being 1858/10/06 and the latest 1858/12/25.

GLC01896.026