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Alexander Archer and Ann Gapes © Baptized on the 21 August 1797, in St Mary the Virgin the Parish Church in Newport, Essex, Alexander was the son of John Archer and wife Elizabeth (nee Chafer)6, 7 &8. On the 5th August, 1820, by Banns, Alexander married Ann Gapes in St Mary the Virgin Parish Church, Newport2. Alexander was a Bachelor and Anne a Spinster, both made their mark and both were from the Parish. The Officiating Minister was Thomas Bell and the witnesses were: John Hollingnorth; Jane Cane; Anne Gayler; and Mary Gapes, Mary was possibly Ann’s sister. Ann, the daughter of Thomas & Elizabeth Gapes, was baptized in St Mary the Virgin the Parish Church in Newport, Essex on 13th May, 17981. An Index of the Parish Register of Newport3 shows that Alexander and Ann had six children, all baptized in the Parish Church Newport: James 1821-1821; Eliza 1822; Jane 1824, she married Stephen Savill 1854; Mercy 1826-1861; Alexander 1828-1872 and Sarah 1831. Alexander and Anne, along with their children: Eliza, Jane; Mercy; and Alexander, and Alexander’s mother Elizabeth have been located on an 1830 List of Inhabitants of Newport Essex4. This record indicates they all attended church on a regular basis. Ann Archer died on the 28th June, 1838, at Newport5. Age 42, she was recorded as the wife of Alexander Archer, the cause of death recorded as Consumption. The Informant was Rebecca Cain, who was present at the death. Ann was buried on the 1st July, 18386, in the Parish Churchyard, Newport. Consumption, or Tuberculosis, was a major cause of death in the mid-19th Century7 with approximately 90% of the population infected with the bacillus, and nearly 80% of these infected actually developing an active form of the disease. Many labourers lived a very basic existence and their families often accommodated in poorly ventilated and crowded homes which usually meant the disease spread rapidly, also ignorance and the lack of adequate medical care added to the high death rate. To-date, Alexander has not been located on the 1841 Census8, although his children Jane, Mercy, Alexander and Sarah have been found living in the High Street, Newport at the time of the Census. It doesn't appear that Alexander Snr was living with them, but it is recorded that the father was an Agricultural Labourer. Maybe he was away from home at the time the Census was taken, or was just missed when the Census was taken, or his name overlooked as the enumerator copied the information into the Census book using the forms filled in by the family. Alexander Archer, age 75, died on the 3rd October, 1868, in the Saffron Walden Workhouse5. Cause of death was given as Old Age, his occupation as Farm Labourer. The Informant is recorded as James Bray. It is not clear if James was an official or another workhouse inmate. Alexander was laid to rest a few days later, on the 7th October, in the Parish Churchyard, Newport6.
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