Archibald Blair (burgess)

{{Infobox officeholder
, name = Archibald Blair
, image =
, image_size =
, caption =
, office= Member of the House of Burgesses from Jamestown, Colony of Virginia
, term = 1728-1733
, predecessor =
, successor = John Blair Sr.
, office1= Member of the House of Burgesses from James City County, Colony of Virginia, term1 = 1720-1726
, predecessor1=
, successor1 =
, office2= Member of the House of Burgesses from Jamestown, Colony of Virginia

, term2 = 1718
, predecessor2 =
, successor2 =
, birth_date = {{c., {{birth year, 1665
, birth_place = Scotland
, death_date = {{Death date and age, 1733, 03, 04, 1665, , , mf=yes
, death_place = Williamsburg, Virginia
, nationality =
, alma_mater = University of Edinburg
, occupation = physician, merchant, politician
, known_for =
, spouse =
, resting_place = Bruton Parish
, children = 10, including John Blair, Jr.
, relatives = James Blair (brother); John Blair Sr. (brother)

Archibald Blair (c. 1665 – March 4, 1733) was a physician, merchant and politician of the colony of Virginia, who served in the Virginia House of Burgesses.

Early and family life

The youngest of three sons of Rev. Peter Blair, rector of Jedburgh parish in Roxborough, Scotland. His father had previously served at St. Cuthbert's parish in Edinburgh, where in 1654 he married Mary Hamilton. His eldest brother, Rev. James Blair had followed their father's career path, studying to become a minister at the University of Edinburgh and becoming ordained, but his career became derailed during Scotland's religious strife, when he refused to sign a loyalty oath. Rev. Blair instead emigrated to the Virginia colony, where in addition to his religious duties he founded the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg. The middle brother, John Blair (ca. 1662-after 1689) remained in Scotland where he became an apothecary in Edinburgh, a burgess of that city in 1683 and Scotland's postmaster general in 1689. Only one of their sisters (Christian Blair (1665-1725)) would also emigrate to Virginia (after marrying Rev. John Munroe, who accepted a post at St. John's Parish in King William County). Archibald Blair also graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1685 but studied medicine.

Career in Virginia

He immigrated with his son to the Virginia colony in the 1690s, possibly following his wife's death, since no re record exists of her emigration. Due to unhealthy circumstances at Jamestown, particularly during summers, Williamsburg was established as a trading center, and the colony's government offices relocated there. He remarried twice, first to Sarah Archer Fowler, a widow who probably bore the rest of his children, including Archibald Blair (1753-1824) who became clerk of the Virginia Governor's Council in 1776 and served for more than 25 years. Other children included Sarah Blair who married Wiilson Cary, Ann Blair who married Peter Whiting, Elizabeth Blair who married John Bolling and later Richard Bland, and Harrison blair who became the third wife of Dr. George Gilmer. Due to unhealthy circumstances at Jamestown, particularly during summers, Williamsburg was established as a trading center, and the colony's government offices relocated there. Archibald also practiced as a doctor and operated an apothecary shop in Williamsburg.

Blair was a vestryman of Bruton parish from 1718 until at least 1721,, and also collected tithes for the parish between 1722 and 1732. He directed the city of Williamsburg soon after its founding and was one of its original aldermen.

He also served in the House of Burgesses.Cynthia Miller Leonard, The Virginia General Assembly 1619-1978 (Richmond: Virginia State Library 1978) pp. 69, 70, 72, 74