Sylvester Archer (1831 - 1902)

Born 19 Jan 1831 in New York, United States

Husband of Sarah J. (Patra) Archer — married 1 Apr 1862 in Binghamton, Broome, New York, United States

Descendants

Died 10 Feb 1902 at age 71 in Kansas, United States [uncertain]

Problems/Questions Profile manager: K Raymoure [send private message]

Biography

Sylvester Archer is a part of US Black heritage.

Sylvester Archer is Notable.

Sylvester Archer was born on 19 January in 1831 or 1842^[1] in New York^[1]. His parents were also born in New York^[1][2]. He married Sarah J. Patra April 1, 1862, in Binghamton.^[3] He served with the famous 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry during the American Civil War.

In August 1867, he enlisted in the 10th U.S. Cavalry, the Buffalo Soldiers. His first assignment with them was in Hays City, Kansas, where he lived after his discharge in 1872 until about 1876.^[4]

In 1877, Sylvester Archer served as the first juror of color in Saline County, Kansas in a case tried before Justice Bishop.^[5] In 1880, the U.S. census listed him living in Salina, Kansas, with his wife, Liza.

Archer reported on his application for a pension that he had lived in Las Vegas, New Mexico, from 1880 until he returned to Kansas in 1882.^[6]

Archer met Abbie (Ida) Jackson Green in Strong City, Kansas. The Kansas state census for 1885 lists Sylvester and Abbie Archer, farmers, living in Grantville, Kaw Township, Jefferson County, Kansas.^[7] The couple moved to a farm in Rock Creek Township, near Meriden, Jefferson County, Kansas, where they were enumerated with their five children in the 1895 Kansas state census.^[8] The family is enumerated in the 1900 U.S. census in Rock Creek Township, Meriden, Jefferson County, Kansas.^[9]

Sylvester Archer died Feb. 10, 1920, in Meriden, Jefferson County, Kansas. He is buried in Meriden Cemetery.^[10]

Occupations

• 1900^[2]: Day laborer
• 1880^[1]: Store porter
• 1863^[11]: Farmer

Residences

• 1900: Rock Creek, Kansas with his wife Addie and children^[2]
• 1880: 40 Second Street, Salina, Kansas with his wife Liza^[1]
• 1863: Binghampton, New York (military enlistment)^[11]

Military Service

During the Civil War, he served as a Private in Company F of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry of the Union Army, the second^[12] regiment in the United States made up entirely of enlisted men of color. He was about 20 years old, married and working as a farmer when he enlisted on 8 April 1863 from Binghampton, New York. Mustered out 27 October 1865 from Boston, Massachusetts.^[11]

Archer spent most of the Civil War working as a nurse in U.S. General Hospital No. 6 in Beaufort, South Carolina. It primarily served “Contraband” escapees from slavery. From March through July 1865, Archer was listed as a patient in the hospital where he worked. In a disability claim, he later stated that he had contracted scurvy and rheumatism during his hospital service.

In August 1867, he enlisted as a Private in the 10th U.S. Cavalry, the Buffalo Soldiers. He served with the 10th in Company C in Kansas and Indian Territory (Oklahoma) for five years. He was discharged at the end of his enlistment at Camp Supply, Indian Territory.

Pension

On Nov. 14, 1896, the Meriden Ledger reported: "Sylvester Archer, living on the Limeburner farm, who has been trying to secure his pension since 1890, this week received $601 back pay and hereafter will get $8 per month. He put his claim in the hands of Capt. P.H. Coney, of Topeka, less than 60 days ago."^[13]

Archer's first wife, Sarah Patra Archer, applied for a widow's pension in 1902. Her application was granted. Abbie Jackson Green Archer's pension application was rejected, because she had not obtained a divorce from her first husband.^[14]

Race

• 1880^[1], 1900^[2]: Black

Death

He passed away in 1902 and is buried at Meriden Cemetery in Meriden, Kansas.^[15]

Descendant Surnames

Clark

His daughter Henrietta married (first husband) George Clark.

Bryant

His daughter Henrietta married (second husband) Curtis Bryant.

English

His daughter Gertrude married Roy English.

Stice

His daughter Martha married Elmer Stice.

Hysten

His daughter Zephyr married Fred Clifford Hysten.

Brown

His granddaughter Victoria, Zephyr's daughter, married a Mr. Brown.

Fisher

His granddaughter Evelyn, Zephyr's daughter, married Herman H. Fisher.

Newman

His granddaughter Edith, Zephyr's daughter, married Arthur G. Newman.

Research Notes

Possible census match?

Year: 1850; Census Place: Florence, Erie, Ohio; Roll: M432_676; Page: 415A; Image: 91

Sylvester Archer / b. abt. 1833 New York / son of Adaline Archer (This is probably a different person of the same name.)

Sylvester Archer was said to be about 20 years old when he joined the 54th Massachusetts in 1863. His first wife, Sarah Patra Archer, said they were both about 20 years old when they were married in 1862. His age on the 1880 U.S. Census is listed as 38. This information would make his birth year about 1842. However, the application for his head stone gives his birth year as 1831.^[16]

Projects

• 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry

Sources

• 1880 United States Federal Census Salina, Saline, Kansas; Roll: 396; Page: 211A; Enumeration District: 301
• 1900 United States Federal Census Rock Creek, Jefferson, Kansas; Page: 4; Enumeration District: 0078
• Emilio, Luis Fenollosa. History of the Fifty-Fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, 1863-1865, Boston, Massachusetts: Boston Book Co., 1891 (1st ed.) and 1894 (2nd ed.)
• NARA: Archer, Sylvester, enlistment records
• Find a Grave, database and images (accessed 22 August 2020), memorial page for Pvt Sylvester Archer (19 Jan 1831–10 Feb 1902), Find A Grave: Memorial #25524528, citing Meriden Cemetery, Meriden, Jefferson County, Kansas, USA ; Maintained by Raymond Riley (contributor 47701938)
• The Saline County journal. Salina, Kansas: 26 July 1877. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5} 1880 federal census
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} 1900 federal census
3. ↑ National Archives and Records Administration, Veterans’ Service Records
4. ↑ Washington, D.C.; National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), U.S., Buffalo Soldiers, Returns From Regular Army Cavalry Regiments, 1866-1916: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1934/images/32008_076502-00077?pId=161658 : accessed 20 Nov 2022
5. ↑ The Saline Journal, 26 July 1877; see also Images
6. ↑ National Archives and Records Administration, Veterans’ Service Records
7. ↑ 1885 Kansas State Census: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1088/images/ks1885_61-0003?pId=300799 : accessed 20 Nov 2022
8. ↑ 1895 Kansas State Census: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1088/images/ksv115_64-0581?pId=6842918 : accessed 20 Nov 2022
9. ↑ 1900 United States Federal Census: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7602/images/4120148_00675?pId=16812487 : accessed 20 Nov 2022
10. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/25524528/sylvester-archer: accessed 20 November 2022), memorial page for Pvt Sylvester Archer (19 Jan 1831–10 Feb 1902), Find a Grave Memorial ID 25524528, citing Meriden Cemetery, Meriden, Jefferson County, Kansas, USA; Maintained by Desert Rose (contributor 50689564) .
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1 11.2} Emilio, McKay Roster
12. ↑ and the first with federal recognition; the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry regiment was against the wishes of the Secretary of War and filled only six companies, but did see action a full year before the 54th
13. ↑ The Meriden Ledger, Meriden, Kansas, 14 Nov 1896, Sat, Page 5: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108222377/sylvester-archer-pension-1896/ : accessed 24 Aug 2022
14. ↑ National Archives and Records Administration, Veterans’ Service Records
15. ↑ Find a Grave memorial
16. ↑ National Archives at St. Louis, MO; St. Louis, MO, USA; Applications for Headstones, 1/1/1925 - 6/30/1970; NAID: NAID 596118; Record Group Number: 92; Record Group Title: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2375/images/2375_02_00001-00283?pId=2333244 : accessed 20 Nov 2022