=Archibald, Abram Newcomb=, was born in Stewiacke, Nova Scotia, June 2nd, 1849, and died in Halifax, November 27, 1883. He was the seventh son of Daniel Archibald, J.P., and Rebecca Newcombe, his wife, both of whom are still living (December, 1886). Daniel Archibald is a great grandson of Samuel Archibald, the second of four brothers from Londonderry, Ireland, who settled in Colchester county, in 1762. This family has produced many distinguished men, including among others the late S. G. W. Archibald, Master of the Rolls, and his two sons, Sir Thomas D. and Sir Edward M. Archibald, Sir Adams G. Archibald and Senator T. D. Archibald. Mr. Archibald attended the schools of his native place in his boyhood, and subsequently pursued his classical studies for a couple of years under the tuition of his brother, the Rev. E. N. Archibald, M.A. In 1867 he took charge of the public school at Musquodoboit, Halifax county; in May, 1876, he was appointed principal of Richmond School, Halifax city; and in November, 1879, principal of Albro School. He resigned this latter position in July, 1881, on his appointment to the office of secretary and superintendent, of colportage for the British American Book and Tract Society, with headquarters in Halifax. In the discharge of his new duties, Mr. Archibald visited all the centres of population in the lower provinces and addressed public meetings. Early in 1883 he proceeded to Britain, on business connected with the society, and to present its claims to the British public, being accompanied on this tour by his wife and son. Mr. Archibald was invited to speak in many of the principal churches in Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as before the United Presbyterian Synod and the Free Church Assembly, which met in Edinburgh in May. He was also present by invitation and spoke at the annual missionary breakfast of the Religious Tract Society, held in the Cannon Street Hotel, London. The interest awakened by Mr. Archibald’s addresses was very gratifying, and resulted in his obtaining liberal subscriptions to the funds of the society. On his return to Halifax in the autumn, Mr. Archibald was able to present a most satisfactory report of his mission, and received the warmest thanks of the committee. Shortly after resuming his work in Nova Scotia, he was seized with typhoid fever, and although a very strong man, he finally succumbed to the attack. Many public bodies, as well as private individuals on both sides of the Atlantic, gave formal expression to their deep sense of the loss sustained in his death. Mr. Archibald was a ready and persuasive speaker and a good writer. Many of his essays and addresses have been published. He always took a leading part in educational, temperance, Sabbath-school and all religious work. As president of the Halifax Sunday-school Union, he occupied the chair at the great centenary meeting held in Halifax, July 3rd, 1880; and at the time of his death he was a member of the executive committee of the Young Men’s Christian Association of Halifax. Mr. Archibald married, December 14th, 1874, Mary Mellish, third daughter of James L. Mellish, of Pownal, P.E.I. They had one son, Raymond Clare, born October 8th, 1875. Mrs. Archibald was re-appointed chief preceptress of Mount Allison Ladies’ College, Sackville, N.B., in 1885, having held that position previous to her marriage.
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A Cyclopaedia of Canadian Biography: Being Chiefly Men of the Time — Part 193
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