1833: Edward Archbold to Lucius Cross

This letter was written by attorney Edward Archbold (1803-1873), the son of James Archbold (1766-1819) and Ann Kennedy (1768-1843). He married Rachel Nichland (1803-1886). Archbold practiced law in Woodsfield, Monroe County, Ohio from the 1830’s until 1865 when he relocated to Nebraska. While in Ohio, Archbold served as a mayor of Woodsfield, and as Senator in the Ohio Assembly representing the Democratic Party. He represented the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Edward Archbold’s obituary appeared in the 29 December 1873 issue of the Daily Nebraska Press, which reads:

Edward Archbold was born in the DIstrict of Columbia on the 27th day of July, 1803, and died in the 69th year of his age. He was left an orphan at an early age — struggling with poverty and acquiring an education only by the creates industry and privations. President Monroe was once so attracted by the boy’s talents that he was selected as a cadet at the West Point Military Academy, but the design was frustrated by scrupulous friends, and young Archbold finally studied law in Clarksburg, Virginia, and settled in the practice of his profession in Wheeling, Virginia. Some years thereafter he removed to the state of Ohio, where he served two terms in the General Assembly, and was afterwards a member of the Constitutional Assembly, which remodeled the Constitution in 1849-50. His speeches, yet extant in the published reports of that distinguished body, show remarkable ability. In the year 1868 he removed to Nebraska City, and has always held a position at the bar as one of the most learned and honorable members of the profession. No man of purer life, either personal or political, ever existed; and he leaves to his aged widow and three surviving children, the legacy of an unspotted name. He was a high Masonic dignitary, and his Masonic brethren will take charge of his funeral tomorrow evening, at two o’clock, attended with ever demonstration of respect by his legal brethren and the community in general.

Archbold wrote this 1833 letter to Lucius Cross (1798-1883), a native of Hartford, Connecticut, who came to Chester, Meigs County, Ohio, from Marietta in 1822 to lands of his own, and started a tannery, built flat boats to send hay to the South, opened a store of general merchandise, erected a mill on Bowman’s run for making flour, and sawing lumber, giving employment to hundreds of men in these different enterprises.

Stampless Cover

TRANSCRIPTION

Addressed to Mr. Lucius Cross, Chester, Meigs County, Ohio

Woodsfield, [Ohio]
July 30, 1833

Dear Sir,

Page 1

I informed you immediately after last fall Court that I. Whitten had made application to the Court to be permitted to oppose your petition as far as regards the 3 acre lot. In answer to your letter of the 25th instant, I have to inform you that notwithstanding the obstacles which their opposition threw in the way, I brought the case to a hearing at June Court last past when I proved the execution of the contract of November 1817 by Mr. Stanley (by B. Wells the subscribing witness) although Whitten did not produce a little evidence to show that himself or any of his ancestors had ever been in possession of the lot. The Court continued the case under advisement until next term. The President did not sit or it would no doubt have been decided according to your wishes.

Page 2

Whitten has also, by his attorney, filed a declaration in ejectment which has not yet beed served upon the tenant in possession, but which I suppose will be served before next term (the object is to recover the 3 acre lot). Neff has sold his interest in the place to Grier and moved over the river, but if there he would not feel disposed to defend the suit. I shall, therefore, unless forbidden by you, apply on your behalf for leave to defend, which must be done next term or judgement will be given against the “casual ejector” by default, in which case the real owner loses his land.

Page 3

I will attend to the hint which you gave in your last concerning the nature of the title to be made to Neff for the 3 acre lot. I will endeavor to have the details of the decree arranged so as to meet that circumstance. In haste.

I remain your most obedient servant, — E. Archbold