Finding my roots and not just names and date of ancestors. Storifying our ancestor with a backward glance into our family history with Frances Archer.
Frances Archer was born in 1704 in Chesterfield, Virginia
Her parents were John Archer and Martha Elizabeth Field.
What was Virginia like when Frances was born?
In the year 1704, Virginia was a British colony located on the eastern coast of North America. It was a diverse and vibrant place, with a mix of Native American tribes, African slaves, and European settlers. The colony’s capital was Williamsburg, a bustling town with a population of around 2,000 people.
Virginia’s population was made up of various ethnicities and cultures.
Native American tribes such as the Powhatan, Pamunkey, and Chickahominy lived in the region for centuries before European settlement. African slaves, brought to Virginia to work on tobacco plantations, also formed a significant part of the population. European settlers, primarily of English descent in this area, established farms and plantations.
The Economy and Agriculture in early 1700s
Tobacco was the main cash crop in Virginia during this time. The colony’s economy revolved around the tobacco trade, with tobacco being exported to Europe in exchange for goods and supplies.
Early 1700s Government and Society
Virginia was a royal colony, meaning it was under the direct control of the British Crown. The colony had its own government, with a governor appointed by the King of England. The Anglican Church was the established religion, but there were also other religious groups, such as Baptists and Quakers, who faced some restrictions.
Frances Archer married Alexander William Trent in Cumberland, Virginia, in 1720 when she was 16 years old.
They had five children.
Early European settlers in Virginia, primarily of English descent, followed customs similar to those in England. Midwives, often experienced older women, played a crucial role in assisting with childbirth. After the baby’s arrival, a christening ceremony would be held, where the child would be given a Christian name and baptized. This ceremony marked the child’s entry into the Christian community.
We conclude our backward glance into our family history with Frances Archer for now. Frances Archer Trent died as a young mother in 1734 at the age of 30, but no ancestor should be forgotten. Even a small memorial such as this is worthwhile.
To find out more about this ancestor go to Frances Archer on Ancestry.com
GENEALOGY DISCLOSURE:
Although I’ve been involove in research for many years and have helped with several family history books, I do not consider myself a Genealogy expert. I am also not a professional genealogist, so, whatever you find here is probably worth about the same as what you’re paying for it.
On another note, while this site was created to help others with their family search, we do invite family historians to use it (even Northerners) if you find it helpful.
Afterall, our ancestors are from all walks of life… not just the South.
*NOTE: Remember, this section of the website is for the purpose of sharing information that I have found.
It is NOT to be thought of or used as a TRUE RESOURCE due to some descrepancies that I also found.
As with many Family History and Local History Books…You should verify the info before accepting it as a fact.
Discover where you came from. Get to know who you are! Know your roots! [Link to Ancestry.com]
Don’t forget to track your dead! You might not be able to visit each cemetery or graveyard personally, but Findagrave.com is a great source of information.
Another tip…Don’t forget to organize your information and add it to FamilySearch.org. This allows you to carry your info wherever you go.
Now, go have some fun and enjoy yourself, because family history really is fun, exciting, detective work.
And it can be filled with great blessings too!