Is this the same man?

[annabel]

This is the signature of William Archer, at the marriages of two of his children and his supposed brother Richard. Do you think it's possible they are the same man? I don't have any other evidence to say they may be the same William to link to the brother, so far. The middle one was his brother's in 1769, the bottom 1787 and top 1802 when he was 60

 

[Daft Bat]

I would say not.

Although the W is similar in that there is a curl at the start of the letter, the A of Archer looked to be formed differently:

and

 

[kernowmaid]

Purely guesswork you understand:

Looking only at the "Archer", I would guess that top & bottom are the same man, but the "A" in the middle sample is not the same style.

Jane

You beat me to it Jan!

 

[AnnB]

Looking only at the "Archer", I would guess that top & bottom are the same man, but the "A" in the middle sample is not the same style.

I agree

 

[annabel]

Drat! William and Richard were having children at the same time in Watford, and a Richard, a less common name, can be found having a brother William born the right time of 1740 for his age at death. They are the only two of those names in the Watford militia rolls, unless my William was somehow not fitting the criteria but he would be the right age. It looks good for them to be brothers, apart from this.

 

[Archie's Mum]

However. William’s W in #1 is the same as the W in #2. The W in #3 is completely different…but Archer in #1 and #3 are the same. I think he just fancied up the A in #2. I think and others will disagree that he is one and the same, the last one showing his age or illness. My signature has aged along with me as well

 

[Libby]

He may have used both forms of the capital A. I have admit that I use both forms at random.

 

[annabel]

Interesting, thank you everyone