My great great grandfather John Orchard (Archer) was born at Fernham/Longcot, Berkshire on the 27th of April 1827 and baptised on the 29th of April 1827 at Chiseldon, Wiltshire. Son of Joseph and Ann Orchard, nee Bland (Romany Gypsies). He was the youngest of Joseph and Ann’s nine children. John was a chimney sweep like his father and older brothers. He specialised in sweeping chimneys and cleaning flues in large country houses and village churches. When he retired from sweeping in later life he passed the business on to his son Phineas (My great grandfather). In his younger days he was a bare-fist boxer (prizefighter). I was told by my grandfather Jack Archer that he had won many fights. The following is an extract from the book Highworth & Round About by P. J. Archer (Jack Archer). Bare-fist fighting took place in a small paddock at the bottom of Grove Hill, Highworth and sometimes in the vicinity of Hampton. This was against the law, perhaps something was done to attract the Constable elsewhere, or, he may have partaken of some very strong Highworth ale. My grandfather (John Archer) told me that very often the fighters fought for sixty rounds, or until one of them fell down exhausted. A great deal of money was won and lost, the betting being very heavy at times. He said he fought a man by the name of Haines from Faringdon, and after fifty three rounds they both fell down and could no longer fight, an argument started about who had won because of the betting, and a free fight ensued, the blood flowing freely.
My grandfather (Jack Archer) also told me that John would carry a gold sovereign under his tongue.
The Archer/Orchard’s were also basket makers, agricultural labourers and hawkers. More recently poultry farmers, market gardeners, general gardeners and estate workers. When not traveling the family lived at Queens Arms Yard, Coxwell Street, Faringdon, Berkshire.
7 March 1846 – Prisoner. A report in the Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette – 5 March 1846.
COMMITTED TO MARLBOROUGH BRIDEWELL.
James Orchard, Thomas Orchard and John Orchard, for trial, charged with stealing 30 bushels of ashes, the property of Broome Witts at Aldbourn. Sentenced to four months imprisonment with older brother Thomas.
1851 – Prisoner. Sentenced to six months imprisonment at Reading Gaol for stealing a sack of sawdust at Lambourn, Berkshire. Older brothers James and Thomas Orchard were acquitted.
11 April 1851 – Daughter Angelina Orchard was born at the Union Workhouse, Faringdon, Berkshire. Mother’s name Sarah Ann Butler. Father’s name was left blank on the birth certificate. John was in Reading Gaol at the time of Angelina’s birth.
8 November 1852 – John married Sarah Ann Butler at the parish church Faringdon, Berkshire.
5 December 1852 – Daughter Sarah Ann Orchard – born Faringdon, Berkshire.
5 December 1852 – Daughter Rosina Archer – born Faringdon, Berkshire.
Sarah Ann and Rosina are both recorded as being born on the 5th of December 1852. I believe they are the same person. I have seen reference to a daughter Sarah Ann in newspaper reports. Census records etc are recorded as Rosina, Roseanner, Rose Ann, Rose. They could be twins but I haven’t found any evidence to prove this beyond the birth record.
1854 – Son Arthur Adolphus Archer – born Faringdon, Berkshire.
circa 1855 moved to Westrop, Highworth, Wiltshire.
1856 – Daughter Tryphena Archer – born Westrop, Highworth, Wiltshire.
1858 – Daughter Blanch Selina Archer – born Westrop, Highworth, Wiltshire.
1860 – Son Lemuel Joseph Butler Archer – born Westrop, Highworth, Wiltshire.
1863 – Son Ernest Butler Archer – born Westrop, Highworth, Wiltshire.
1865 – Son Ardrest Archer – born Westrop, Highworth, Wiltshire.
1866 – Son Herbert Archer – born Westrop, Highworth, Wiltshire.
1868 – Son Phineas Archer – born Westrop, Highworth, Wiltshire.
June 1868 – John Archer of Highworth, sweep, charged with stealing five cabbages, the property of neighbour George Smith. Archer told the police constable that the cabbages were given to him by a man from Swindon but it was later proved that he had stolen them. The cabbages were discovered in a hovel at the back of the garden covered over by an old sack with dew and sooty fingerprints on them.
August 1868 – John Archer, Angelina Archer and Rosina Archer (Daughters) were charged by Amelia Smith with having assaulted her following a row which took place between them whilst out leasing corn. The Bench ordered each defendant to pay a fine of 1s. and 4s. 4d. costs, altogether 16s.
May 1869 – John Archer of Highworth, sweep, charged with stealing several stakes from Mr. Pedley’s orchard. William Walgrove, a carter said he saw the prisoner go across Mr. Pedley’s orchard, having nothing in his arms and return a few minutes later carrying half a dozen stakes. The prisoners house was searched but no stakes were found. In his defence the prisoner said the stakes Walgrove saw him with were the rods of his machine. After a prolonged private consultation, The Bench said that though there could be no moral doubt of the prisoner having stolen the stakes, there was a legal doubt, and they would give him the benefit of the doubt, and discharged him.
1875 – Advertisement in the Swindon Advertiser. John Archer, Chimney Sweeper, Highworth.
Begs to inform the Public that all orders received by him at his residence, Highworth, will obtain immediate attention, and to caution them against persons calling at their houses and soliciting orders in his name.
1881 – An extract from the book The Villages and Highworth by P. J. Archer.
John Archer carried a sack of corn of about two hundred weight from Botany Farm to Bydemill for a bet of five gold sovereigns. He was allowed to rest only once, which he did at a stile near the hamlet of Hampton. On reaching the mill he carried the sack up a ladder into a loft, which was witnessed by two umpires and several others. On collecting the sovereigns they all proceeded to the inn at Hannington to celebrate.
1884 – Advertisement in the North Wilts Herald. John Archer, Chimney Sweep, Highworth.
Begs to thank the Gentry and Public generally of Highworth and neighborhood for 26 miles round for their kind support during the past 30 years, and by their continuance of the same would remind them that all orders entrusted to him shall receive his personal attendance. He hopes by strict attention to business, combined with the use of good materials and strictly moderate charges, to meet a still larger amount of support, and to caution them against persons calling at houses soliciting orders in his name.
1888 – Advertisement in the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard. Rose Villa, Highworth. John Archer, Chimney Sweep.
In returning his best thanks to the Inhabitants of Highworth and Neighbourhood for past favours during the 35 years he has been in business, assures them that it will be his constant endeavour to merit a continuance of the same by strict attention to all orders entrusted to his care, and to caution them against persons calling at their houses and soliciting orders in his name.
2 January 1921 – John Archer died at the age of 93. He is buried at Highworth Cemetery.
Headstone inscription reads –
IN LOVING MEMORY OF JOHN ARCHER OF WESTROP, HIGHWORTH. WHO PASSED AWAY JAN 2ND 1921. AGED 93 YEARS. SLEEP ON DEAR FATHER, THY LAST LONG SLEEP, THY WEARY HEART’S AT REST. THE DAY WILL COME WHEN LOVED ONES ALL WILL MEET AMONG THE BLEST.
The Archer Family Tree 