Archibald Wager

Archibald Wager was an 18th-century civil servant in colonial Virginia. Wager served as the Clerk of Court for three counties: Hampshire County (1755–1757), Brunswick County (1757–1760), and Frederick County (1760–1762). Following his service as a Clerk of Court, Wager managed the construction of public roads in Frederick County in 1763.

Political career Following the creation of Hampshire County in 1754, Archibald Wager was appointed to serve as the county's inaugural Clerk of Court in 1755 according to records of the court from June 11 of that year. While Wager was mentioned as the first Clerk of Court, it is unknown where the first county court was held; however, it is known that Thomas Bryan Martin, nephew of Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, was the county's first appointed justice. Under the act establishing Hampshire County, the county's court was to be held in June 1754; however, it was not until 1757 that formal record keeping was actualized in Hampshire County, due in part to the ongoing French and Indian War and repeated Native American attacks. Even though Wager was likely the first appointed Clerk of Court for Hampshire County, his successor Jones was the first operational appointee to serve in the position. Wager's commission to the post was qualified on April 26, 1757 and he remained in that position for three years until February 5, 1760. Col. Wood's nineteen-year-old son James Wood, later a Governor of Virginia, was appointed to serve as Wager's deputy clerk on May 7, 1760. The reasons for Wager's termination from the position are not known.

Personal life In 1761, Wager produced 200 pounds of tobacco, which was received and certified by Secretary Nelson and Wager's Deputy Clerk of Court Wood on January 2, 1762.

Wager was a practicing Anglican. According to Frederick County Parish records, Wager's signature was listed among those who participated in the Eucharist between 1761 and 1763.