By Muriel Bristol | October 10, 2021

Bard B. Plummer was born in the family farmstead on Plummer’s Ridge in Milton, June 18, 1846, son of Enoch W. and Orinda (Ayers) Plummer. (Bard B. Plummer’s great-grandfather, the Hon. Bard [or Beard] Plummer (1754-1816), a revolutionary soldier and one of Milton’s founders, had the same name, as did several of the current subject’s uncles and cousins).
Bard B. Plummer, after leaving the common schools, attended the Wakefield Academy and the Maine State College. When his education was completed he returned to the homestead, and he has since given his attention to general farming. He owns five hundred acres of excellent land, which is desirably located; and he makes it a point to avail himself of modern improvements in the practice of agriculture (Biographical Review, 1897).
Bard B. Plummer was an A.F. & A.M. Mason as early as 1870. A NH Grand Lodge abstract had him as secretary of Unity Lodge, of [Union,] Wakefield, NH, as of May 1870. A.M. Brackett was its Worshipful Master. The lodge had 75 members, who paid a total of $15.50 in dues. Their meetings took place on Thursdays on or before F.M. (the First Monday). (NH Grand Lodge, 1870).
In Masonry Mr. Plummer is [i.e., would be by 1897] well advanced, being a Past Master of Unity Lodge, A.F. & A.M., of Union, N.H., of which he was Secretary for nineteen years; a member of Columbia Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Farmington, N.H., and of St. Paul Commandery, Knights Templar, of Dover, N.H. He is also Past Dictator of Love [Lowell] Lodge, Knights of Honor [Husbandry], of Union (Biographical Review, 1897).
Bard Burge Plummer married in Milton, October 15, 1875, Eliza Dixwell Wentworth, both of Milton. He was a farmer, aged twenty-nine years, and she was aged twenty-four years. Rev. James Doldt performed the ceremony. She was born in Jamaica Plain, MA, December 13, 1851, daughter of John J. and Elizabeth (Currant) Wentworth.
Mr. Plummer married Eliza D. Wentworth, daughter of John J. Wentworth, of Jamaica Plain, Mass. They have four children, namely: Lucia C., Fanny W., Bard B., who is attending Durham College, and Orinda (Biographical Review, 1897).
B.B. Plummer appeared in the Milton business directories of 1875, 1876, and 1880, as a Milton justice-of-the-peace.
Daughter Lucia C. Plummer was born in Milton, May 18, 1877. Daughter Fanny W. Plummer was born in Milton, July 28, 1878.
The Milton Board of Education for 1879 was J.V. [J.P.] Bickford, I.N. Lowell, and B.B. Plummer. (Jesse P. Bickford (1844-1910) was principal of the Milton Classical Institute; and John N. Lowell (1846-1903) was a Congregational minister).
UNITY LODGE, NO. 62, at Union Village, is my home Lodge. I have attended all of its communications for a long time, with very few exceptions. Formerly this Lodge had the reputation of closely adhering to all the proprieties of Masonry, and I hope it is not without its merits at the present time. Until recently the Lodge has had but little work to do so it was about impossible to make rapid progress in everything commendable, but now we have work and interest sufficient for perfecting ourselves, and if we are not as we should be, we have no good excuse. We are pleased to receive visits from any of the Craft, and invite criticism upon our proficiency. At our regular communication of May 1st, 1879, District Grand Lecturer, Brother L.M. Nute, visited our Lodge, and in his usual agreeable and impressive manner conferred the third degree which was much enjoyed by the brethren. Brother Nute paid us a compliment, by saying our work was the best he had witnessed for a long time. Our records are fully and properly kept by Brother B.B. PLUMMER, our Secretary of long standing. Financially, we are comfortably situated, having quite a fund at interest with monthly accumulations. … Respectfully submitted, CHARLES A. VARNEY, D.D.G.M. (NH Grand Lodge, 1879).
Son Bard B. Plummer, Jr., was born in Milton, October 22, 1879.
UNION. The following officers of Unity No. 62 A.F.A. Masons were publicly installed by Right Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master, Charles A. Varney, assisted by Daniel S. Burley, as Grand Marshal, on Thursday evening last: Asa M. Brackett, W.M.; Chas. W. Horne, S.W.; John E. Scruton, E.W.; Chaplain L. Smith, Treas.; Bard B. Plummer, Sec.; Frank B. Drew, S.D.; Fred E. Stevens, J.D.; Rev. Geo. O. Jenness, Chap.; Jacob S. Adams, Mar.; A.H. Chamberlain, S.S.; G.B. Corson, J.S.; James W. Nutter, Organist; Geo. W. Dicey, Tyler; Charles C. Hayes, Rep to the G.L. At the close of the installation ceremonies, a supper and ball were in order, and a very pleasant time was enjoyed by all. The members of this Lodge have recently re-furnished their lodge room with a set of solid black walnut furniture, at an expense of nearly two hundred dollars which adds very much to the beauty of the room (Farmington News, March 5, 1880).
Bard B. Plumer, a farmer, aged thirty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Eliza D. Plumer, keeping house, aged twenty-eight years (b. MA), and his children, Lucia C. Plumer, at house, aged three years (b. NH), Fannie W. Plumer, at house, aged one year (b. NH), and Bard B. Plumer, at house, aged seven months (b. NH (October [1879])). They shared a two-family residence with the household of [his father,] Enoch W. Plummer, a farmer, aged sixty-five years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Joseph Plummer, aged sixty years (b. NH) and Enoch S. Mason, a farmer, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH).
B.B. Plummer appeared in the Milton business directories of 1881, 1882, 1884, 1887, and 1889, as a Milton justice-of-the-peace. He appeared also on the Board of Education in 1889; and as a manufacturer of mowing machines, horse rakes &c in 1887 and 1889.
UNION. On Thursday eve, Feb. 24th, the officers of Unity Lodge, No. 62 A.F. and Accepted Masons, were installed by Charles A. Varney, D.D.G. Master, as follows: W.M., Asa M. Brackett; S.W., Leroy J. Cooper; J.W., George W. Burleigh; Treasurer, Jacob S. Adams; Secretary, Bard B. Plummer; Marshal, Frank B. Drew; S.D., Charles A. Varney; J.D., Daniel S. Burleigh; S.S., Thomas C. Burleigh. The Chaplain, J.S., and Tyler were installed by proxy. The installation was a public one and was well attended. A supper was furnished by the fraternity at the close (Farmington News, March 4, 1881).
Plummer belonged also to the National Grange of the Order of Patrons [or Knights] of Husbandry. The Grange was an agriculturally-oriented social organization that sought also to promote farm interests. Its offices were patterned, or at least named, after those of a medieval English grange or farm estate.
UNION. Officers elect of Lowell Lodge, No. 1185, K. of H., are as follows: Dictator, C.W. Horne; A.D., J.E. Hayes; V.D., Geo. E. Drawbridge; Reporter, Frank B. Drew; Fin. Rep., Edwin W. Jenkins; Treas., John E. Scruton; Guide, Horace H. Moulton; Chap., Bard B. Plummer, Rep. to Grand Lodge, Chas. W. Horne; Alternate, Frank B. Drew (Farmington News, January 23, 1885).
Daughter Orinda Plummer was born in Milton, June 9, 1886. She was a namesake for her paternal grandmother, Orinda (Ayers) Plummer.
This [Unity Lodge, No. 62, A.F. and A.M. of Union] lodge has been instituted nearly thirty-two years, yet all of its past masters are living, and only two of the charter members have died, Dr. William B. Reynolds and Joseph Sharpe. The membership is now one hundred and twenty-five. Bro. Bard B. Plummer has held the office of secretary for seventeen years, and Charles W. Horne has filled more chairs than any other member, having held every office except secretary, treasurer, and marshal. Brothers Asa M. Brackett and Charles A. Varney have each served several terms as district deputy grand lecturer, and as district deputy grand master for this (No. 6) district (Merrill, 1889).
As an active supporter of the Republican party he has figured conspicuously in public affairs. For five years he was a member of the School Board (Biographical Review, 1897).
The Milton Board of Education for 1889 was B.B. Plummer, Charles D. Jones, and William E. Pillsbury. (Charles D. Jones (1863-1908); and William E. Pillsbury (1845-1907) were both physicians).
UNION. The following officers of Unity Lodge, No. 63, A.F. & A.M., were installed by Past D.D. Grand Master, Asa M. Brackett, on Thursday evening: W.M., J. Frank Farnham; S.W., Frank H. Moore; J.W., Myran L. Johnson; treasurer, Fred E. Stevens; secretary, Bard B. Plummer; marshal, Frank B. Drew; chaplain, Charles W. Horne; S.D., Geo. W. Burleigh, J.D., John C. Penney; S.S., Joseph L. Johnson; J.S., A.H. Chamberlain; tyler, J.F. Moore; representative to grand lodge, Frank B. Drew (Farmington News, February 14, 1890).
The Milton Board of Education for 1890 was W.E. Pillsbury, Rev. Frank Haley, and B.B. Plummer. (William E. Pillsbury (1845-1907) was a physician; and Rev. Frank Haley (1835-1904) was a Congregational minister and husband of Plummer’s sister, Sarah (Plummer) Haley (1846-1931)).
The Milton Board of Education for 1891 was W.E. Pillsbury, B.B. Plummer, and I.A. Cook. (William E. Pillsbury (1845-1907) was a physician; and Ira A. Cook (1843-1898) was a farmer).
Bard B. Plummer ran in the election for Strafford County Sheriff in November 1892.
He was Sheriff of Strafford County from 1892 to 1894, during which time he had charge of the jail in Dover, and was appointed Deputy Sheriff by his successor, James E. Hayes (Biographical Review, 1897).
MILTON. Bard B. Plummer was elected sheriff by the republicans of Strafford county (Farmington News, November 18, 1892).
The NH Grange’s Worthy Secretary reported to its Worthy Master that twenty-six grange chapters had been organized during the year ending September 30, 1892. The Lewis W. Nute Grange (No. 193) in Milton was one of them. It was formed with Bard B. Plummer as Master, and thirty charter members. W.K. Norton was its Lecturer, and William A. Jones was its Secretary (NH General Court, 1893). (Plummer’s son, Bard B. Plummer, Jr., would be Master in his turn in or before 1905).
The office of Master corresponded roughly with that of a president in other organizations, the overseer with a vice-president, and the gatekeeper with a sergeant-at-arms. Lecturers were instructors and Stewards were responsible for a Grange’s property and effects.
MILTON. Lewis W. Nute grange organized Friday night, twenty-six members, by Frank P. Wentworth of Rochester. Officers elected and installed: B.B. Plummer, master; Fred P. Jones, overseer; C.A. Jones, secretary; Dr. M.A.H. Hart, treasurer; W.K. Norton, lecturer; Miss F.A. Ober, assistant lecturer; Miss Birdie B. Harte, chaplain; S.E. Twombly, steward; R.H. Shaw, assistant steward; Miss Sarah L. Benson, lady assistant steward; Mrs. B.B. Plummer, Ceres; Mrs. W.K. Norton, Pomona; Miss Minnie Woodman, Flora; L.C. Hayes, gatekeeper (Farmington News, December 23, 1892).
The female Grange offices of Ceres, Pomona, and Flora symbolized the mythological three Graces. The Ceres was responsible for ceremonially draping the Grange’s charter, and the other two for decorating with fruit and flowers, respectively. They sat at the head table with the other principal officers. (One might note that, in some cases at least, they were the wives of those principal officers).
Plummer won the November 1892 Sheriff election with 4,468 votes (50.2%), while William S. Hayes received 4,269 votes (48.0%), Alfred W. Jones received 162 votes (1.8%), and John G. Johnston received 1 vote (0.0%) (Farmington News, January 13, 1893).
THE OFFICIAL VOTE. The last official returns of the election for Strafford county officers was made to the county clerk Dec. 6 and he read them at the Law term the following day. The vote in the county was: For solicitor – Wm. F. Nason, 4533; Samuel D. Felker, 4266; Geo. W. Benn, 137; Geo. R. Renn, 8. For sheriff – Bard B. Plummer, 4468; Wm. S. Hayes, 4269; Alfred W. Jones, 162; John G. Johnson, 1. For treasurer – Geo. D. Nowell, 4390; Geo G. Nowell, 39; Ichabod B. Berry, 4228; Joseph P. Swasey, 149. For register of deeds – Frank S. Tompkins, 4797; Michael R. Sullivan, 3972; Wm. H. Courser, 110. For register of probate – Wm. W. Martin, 4379; Charles S. Clifford, 4284; John A. Fall, 126. For county commissioners – Wm. W. Cushman, 4510; John N. Haines, 4379; John B. Philbrick, 4462; Frank P. Reeve, 4111; John P. Hall, 4096; Henry J. Grimes, 4158; John Bartlett, 138; Nathan O. Sanborn, 122; Frederick R.S. Mildon, 125 ; F.R.S., Meldon, 3 (Farmington News, January 13, 1893).
One may note that Geo. W. Benn and Geo. R. Renn were alternate spellings of the same name, the second being a misspelling. The same was the case also with Geo. D. Nowell and Geo. G. Nowell; and with Frederick R.S. Mildon and F.R.S. Meldon.
UNION. At the annual meeting of Unity Lodge the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: W.M., Bard B. Plummer; S.W., Myron L. Johnson; J.W., William M. Lord; treasurer, Fred E. Stevens; secretary, J. Frank Farnham; representative to grand lodge, J. Frank Farnham. Bard B. Plummer, the master elect, has faithfully served the lodge as secretary for the past nineteen years, and he is well worthy of this promotion. The lodge has also done well in selecting the retiring master to succeed Mr. Plummer as secretary. The officers will be publicly installed Feb. 16 (Farmington News, February 3, 1893).
The following apprehension of a murder suspect sounded initially like a hopeful development for Sheriff Plummer but turned out to be a case of mistaken identity. (The forensic use of fingerprints, although on the horizon, lay still in the future).
HELD FOR HORSE STEALING. Man Arrested in Pulaski, Tenn., Who Is Believed to Be Julius H. McArthur, a New Hampshire Murderer. DOVER, N.H., Oct 22- Sheriff Bard D. Plummer of Milton has received a letter from the sheriff of Pulaski, Tenn., asking what reward was offered for the capture of Julius H. McArthur, alias Simpson, alias Dorsey, who murdered Deputy Sheriff Charles H. Smith of Barrington in Strafford, May 6, 1891. Gov. John B. Smith also has received a letter from J.M. McDonald, chief of police of Pulaski, Tenn., which gives an exact description of the much-wanted criminal. The letters are now in the possession of Atty. Gen. Edwin G. Eastman, who is in communication with the officials of Pulaski. Mr. Eastman has telegraphed the officials there to hold the man and to send him a photograph of the prisoner at once. The man is under arrest at Pulaski for horse stealing, under the name of Dorsey, and the attorney general is of the opinion, from the description received, that the man is McArthur. The McArthur ease was one of the most celebrated, and certainly one of the most sensational ever brought before a justice in New Hampshire. On May 5, 1591, Julius McArthur stole a team from near Rochester, owned by J.W. Kendall of Enosburg Falls, Vt. On the following day a posse was organized, and, headed by Deputy Sheriff Charles H. Smith, they followed the track of the thief into the town of Strafford, about seven miles from Rochester. Smith caught sight of McArthur, and immediately grappled with him, but not so effectually as to prevent McArthur from drawing a revolver, with which he fatally wounded the deputy sheriff with a bullet in the side. Smith, in spite of his wound, hung on to McArthur, and he was finally overpowered by the posse, and lodged in the Dover jail. The next day after his arrest McArthur tried to commit suicide by opening a vein in his right arm. The jailor discovered the attempt just in time to save the man’s life. The prisoner refused to eat his food, and appeared to be a very sick man. McArthur was then removed from the prison to the hospital. On the evening of July 7, 1891, a little while after jailer Libby had gone away in search of a physician for another prisoner. Mrs. Libby sent his little girl to McArthur’s cell to carry him an evening paper, when it was discovered that he had sprung the lock to the door and escaped. Telegrams were scattered broadcast throughout New England, and a reward of $100 was offered for his capture (Boston Globe, October 23, 1894).
B.B. Plummer appeared in the Milton business directories of 1894, and 1898, as a Milton justice-of-the-peace. He appeared also as a manufacturer of mowing machines, horse rakes &c in 1894 and 1898.
MILTON. Miss May Smart of Ossipee Centre is visiting Fannie Plummer (Farmington News, August 17, 1894).
Mr. and Mrs. Bard B. Plummer were raised or promoted to the NH Grange’s Sixth Degree at White’s Opera House in Concord, NH, on the second day of its convention there, December 19, 1894 (NH State Grange, 1894).
LOCALS. The following is the full list of deputy sheriffs, as appointed by Sheriff Hayes: George W. Parker and James H. Davis of Dover, Bard B. Plummer of Milton, Henry F. Walker and Frank I. Smith of Rochester, James S. McDaniel of Somersworth, and Jabez Stevens of Durham. … Sheriff James E. Hayes took charge of affairs at the jail at Dover, Monday. Saturday there was a revolt against Jailor Scales among a portion of the prisoners, which continued up to the time Sheriff Hayes took charge of affairs. He took the handcuffs from the prisoners, gave them something to eat, and soon had them on their good behavior (Farmington News, April 5, 1895).
Mother Orinda P. (Ayers) Plummer died of a liver abscess in Milton, April 18, 1895, aged seventy-seven years, eight months, and twelve days. M.A.H. Hart, M.D., signed the death certificate.
MILTON. The funeral of Mrs. Enoch Plumer occurred Saturday afternoon. She leaves a husband and five children (Farmington News, [Friday,] April 26, 1895).
Father Enoch W. Plummer died of cirrhosis of the liver in Milton, June 18, 1896, aged eighty-one years, two months, and fourteen days. M.A.H. Hart, M.D., signed the death certificate.
HERE AND THERE. Mr. and Mrs. John S. Roberts attended on Sunday the funeral of deacon Enoch W. Plumer of Milton, who was a citizen truly well known (Farmington News, June 26, 1896).
John S. Roberts’ first wife had been Enoch W. Plummer’s youngest daughter, Susan (Plummer) Roberts (1854-1878). (He married (2nd) in Farmington, NH, December 26, 1883, [Mary] Ella Pearl [(1848-1905)], both of Farmington, NH).
MILTON NEWS-LETTER. Misses Lucy and Fannie Plummer of Plummer’s ridge are entertaining their friends Misses Marion and Martha Ober of South Natick, Mass. … A pleasant social gathering of young people occurred at the house of B.B. Plummer, Monday evening (Farmington News, August 20, 1897).
He is [in 1897] a member of the Board of Trustees of the Nute High School of Milton (Biographical Review, 1897).
NH Governor Frank W. Rollins invented and promoted Old Home Week reunion celebrations throughout New Hampshire in 1899. B.B. Plummer was president of Milton’s committee and C.H. Cole was its secretary (NH Department of Agriculture, 1901). (Charles H. Cole (1852-1936) appeared in the Milton directory of 1900, as a shoe burnisher, with his house on So. Main street, at its corner with Toppan street).
Bard B. Plummer, a farmer, aged fifty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-four years), Eliza D. Plummer, aged fifty-one years (b. MA), his children, Lucia C. Plummer, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), Fannie W. Plummer, aged twenty-one years (b. NH), Bard B. Plummer, Jr., aged twenty years (b. NH), and Orinda Plummer, at school, aged twelve years (b. NH), and his boarder, Christie L. Jones, a farm laborer, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH). Bard B. Plummer owned their farm, free-and-clear. Eliza D. Plummer was the mother of four children, of whom four were still living. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Fred P. Jones, a farmer, aged forty years (b. NH), and Joseph Plummer, a farmer, aged eighty years (b. NH).
WEST MILTON. Miss Elfrida Peacock is spending the week at Milton Ridge, as the guest of her friend Miss Orinda Plummer. Miss Peacock, a graduate this June of Nute high school, expects to take an extended course at a Normal school this fall (Farmington News, July 20, 1900).
B.B. Plummer appeared in the Milton business directories of 1901, 1904, 1905-06, and 1909, as a Milton justice-of-the-peace. He appeared also as a manufacturer of mowing machines, horse rakes &c in those same years.
Mrs. B.B. Plummer donated $1.00 to the Pennsylvania Prison Society, at sometime between March 1, 1902, and February 28, 1903 (Pennsylvania Prison Society, 1903).
Milton sent Bard B. Plummer as its delegate to New Hampshire’s Eighth Constitutional Convention, which met in Concord, NH, December 2, 1902. The convention drafted ten proposed amendments to the NH Constitution, which then went on the statewide ballot for approval. Four of them were passed in 1904 by the electorate at large, while six of them were rejected. The summary titles of the proposed amendments were: 1) Educational qualifications for voting, 2) Examination of military officers, 3) Appointment of Commissary General (rejected), 4) Extension of taxation, 5) Extension of police court jurisdiction (rejected), 6) Elimination of “Protestant,” etc., from Bill of Rights (rejected), 7) Woman’s suffrage (rejected), 8) Regulation of trusts, 9) Reduction of legislature (rejected), and 10) Voting precincts (rejected) (NH Constitutional Convention, 1918).
B.B. Plummer was one of the “promoters” of the Milton & Lebanon Building Association, when it was incorporated in February 1904.
Maine Corporations. Milton & Lebanon Building Association, Lebanon – Capital, $10,000. Promoters, F.H. Thayer, Boston; Joseph H. Avery, B.B. Plummer, J. Gardner Alden, Milton; Ira W. Jones, Lebanon (Boston Globe, February 29, 1904).
B.B. Plummer of Milton bought a thoroughbred Guernsey bull named Johnnie Bull (H.R. No. 9013) from Montgomery Rollins in 1904 (American Guernsey Cattle Club, 1904). This was perhaps the beginning of the stock farm he ran in 1917. Montgomery Rollins was a Boston banker, with his house at Chestnut Hill.
MILTON. Miss Lucia C. Plummer is in Boston, Mass., for a visit (Farmington News, April 1, 1904).
Lewis W. Nute Grange. A special meeting of Lewis W. Nute grange, Milton, was held June 18. A very interesting entertainment was given by the children under the direction of Mrs. Annie O. Willey, Miss Fanny W. Plummer and Mrs. Catherine Dove. At the regular meeting of the grange, June 22, the third and fourth degrees were conferred upon two candidates (Farmington News, July 2, 1904).
Lewis W. Nute Grange. A very instructive as well as entertaining meeting was held Aug. 10. The subject was New Hampshire. The various natural features of the state were taken up by essays, as was also its noted men and musicians. Selections were read from New Hampshire poets, and the music composed by New Hampshire composers was rendered (New England Farmer (Boston, MA), August 27, 1904).
MILTON. Miss Orinda Plummer has accepted a position in the office of Spaulding Bros. (Farmington News, September 16, 1904).
The Milton selectmen of 1906 were J.H. Avery, B.B. Plummer, and E.A. Wentworth. (Joseph H. Avery (1844-1937) was then postmaster; and Edgar A. Wentworth (1856-1932) was a teamster).
Son Bard B. Plummer, Jr., married in Sanbornton, NH, August 20, 1906, Ruth L. Fall, both of Milton. He was a farmer, aged twenty-six years, and she was a teacher, aged nineteen years. Rev. Elisha H. Wright performed the ceremony. (Rev. Wright would be elected to the NH House of Representatives several months later (Hartford Courant (Hartford, CT), November 8, 1906)). She was born in Milton, circa 1886, daughter of George G. and Lizzie (Lyman) Fall.
PERSONAL. Hearty good wishes attend the marriage, on August 19th, of Miss Ruth Lyman Fall to Bard B. Plummer, Jr., both of Milton (Farmington News, August 31, 1906).
MIDDLETON. Mr. and Mrs. Bard B. Plummer gave a reception last Saturday evening from 8 until 10 o’clock at their home in Milton, in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Bard B. Plummer, Jr., who were recently married. The house was filled to overflowing, and the young bride looked very lovely in her bridal gown. They were the recipients of many beautiful presents. Punch was served in the dining room throughout the evening and refreshments of cake and ice cream were served at the close of the reception. Guests were present from Milton, Milton Mills, Brookfield, Wakefield, Union, Middleton, Dover, Massachusetts and other places. The evening was much enjoyed by all (Farmington News, [Friday,] September 21, 1906).
Daughter Lucia C. Plummer married in Milton, September 20, 1906, George E. Fox, she of Milton and he of Acton, ME. He was a widowed farmer, aged thirty-seven years, and she was a teacher, aged twenty-nine years. Rev. Myron P. Dickey performed the ceremony. George E. Fox was born in Acton, ME, circa 1870, son of Henry L. and Sarah A. (Moulton) Fox.
The Milton selectmen of 1907 were B.B. Plummer, E.A. Wentworth, and H. Plummer. (Edgar A. Wentworth (1856-1932) was a teamster; and Hazen Plummer (1866-1935) was an inspector for the United Shoe Machinery Company).
B.B. Plummer of Milton bought Holstein-Frisian stock from Ashton Rollins in 1909 (Houghton, 1909).
Bard B. Plummer, a general farm farmer, aged sixty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Eliza D. Plummer, aged fifty-eight years (b. MA), his son, Bard B. Plummer, Jr., a home farm farmer, aged thirty years (b. NH), his daughter-in-law, Ruth L. Plummer, aged twenty-four years (b. NH), his daughter, Orinda Plummer, aged twenty-four years (b. NH), his granddaughter, Elizabeth Plummer, aged one year (b. NH), his sister-in-law, Fannie Littlefield, aged sixty-two years (b. MA), his nephew, Roscoe Littlefield, aged thirty-four years (b. CA), and his servant, John M. Smith, a general farm laborer, aged twenty-two years (b. VT).
In March 1911, the NH General Court approved the incorporation of the Nute Charitable Association (as set forth in the last will of Lewis W. Nute.
Section 1. That Everett F. Fox, Charles A. Jones, M.A.H. Hart, Harry L. Avery, Walter E. Looney, Charles D. Fox, Moses G. Chamberlain, and their successors are hereby made a body corporate by the name of the Nute Charitable Association, and shall have and enjoy all the powers and privileges and be subject to all the liabilities incident to corporations of a similar nature, and by that name may sue and be sued. Harry L. Avery or Charles A. Jones may call the first meeting of said association by letter mailed to each member of said association at least seven days prior to the date set for said first meeting (NH General Court, 1911a).
Section 1 was amended by the NH Senate to add the names Bard B. Plummer, and Joseph H. Avery after the name Harry L. Avery (NH General Court, 1911b).
B.B. Plummer appeared in the Milton business directories of 1912, and 1917, as a Milton justice-of-the-peace. He appeared also as a selectman in 1912, manufacturer of agricultural implements in 1912 and 1917, and proprietor of a stock farm in 1917.
Personal. Mr. and Mrs. Carl Thomas and Mrs. and Mrs. Leo Gilman motored to Milton Three Ponds Monday night and attended the dance given by the “Three of Us” club of that town. The Misses Susan Haley, Maud Carter and Orinda Plummer were hostesses (Farmington News, August 16, 1912).
WEST MILTON. The town went substantially republican in spite of a small vote. Selectmen elected were: Forest T. [L.] Marsh, Milton Mills, Bard B. Plummer, Milton, Fred Reynolds, West Milton; Everett F. Fox, town treasurer; Harry L. Avery, town clerk; Robert Page, member of school board for three years (Farmington News, March 16, 1917).
WEST MILTON. The town meeting at Milton drew out a big vote as the result of the sharp contest for the selection of the third selectman. The old board was re-elected, as follows: Selectmen, Forrest L. Marsh, Bard B. Plummer, James F. Reynolds; town clerk, Harry L. Avery; treasurer, Everett F. Fox. School meeting was held at the close of town meeting and Dr. M.A.H. Hart and Everett F. Fox were unanimously re-elected as member of the board of education and school treasurer, respectively (Farmington News, March 18, 1918).
Daughter Fanny W. Plummer married in Oakland, CA, January 4, 1919, Burge P. Littlefield. Rev. F.G. Van Horn performed the ceremony. Littlefield was born in CA, October 12, 1878, son of Charles A. and Mary F. (Wentworth) Littlefield. (His very name, Burge Plummer Littlefield, certainly suggests some prior connection to the Plummer family).
LOCAL. At the annual meeting Tuesday, the town of Milton unanimously elected a republican board of officers, as follows: Selectmen, Bard B. Plummer, Forrest L. Marsh, Fred Chamberlin; town clerk, Harry L. Avery, town treasurer, Everett F. Fox (Farmington News, March 14, 1919).
Bard B. Plummer died of lobar pneumonia on Plummer’s Ridge in Milton, October 22, 1919, aged seventy-three years, four months, and four days. James J. Buckley, M.D., signed the death certificate.
LOCAL. Deep regret is expressed throughout this community over the death of Bard B. Plummer, Sr., which occurred at his home on Plummer’s Ridge, Milton, Wednesday evening, following an attack of pneumonia. He was a native and lifelong resident of the town where his death occurred, having been born there 73 years ago. During his lifetime he was active and influential in the affairs of his community and had held and discharged honorably and faithfully the duties of most of the offices within the gift of his townspeople. The deceased was prominent in Masonic circles and possessed a wide and devoted acquaintance throughout the state. Sympathy from all quarters is tendered the bereaved widow, three daughters and one son, who survive. For many years the deceased was a member and deacon of the Congregational church at Milton. Funeral will be held from the home Saturday afternoon at two o’clock (Farmington News, October 24, 1919).
Daughter Orinda Plummer married in Manhattan, New York, NY, April 19, 1921, William G. Lyttle. He was born in Killoran, Sligo, Ireland, December 15, 1877, son of Robert and Frances “Fanny” (Burns) Lyttle. (He died in Rochester, NY, January 3, 1925).
Orinda P. [(Plummer)] Little, an electrical bookkeeper, aged forty-three years (b. NH), headed a Sharon, MA, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. Her household included her twin sons, William G. Little, aged eight years (b. MA), and Robert A. Little, aged eight years (b. MA), her mother, Eliza D. [(Wentworth)] Plummer, retired, aged seventy-eight years (b. MA), and her sister, Fanny W. [(Plummer)] Littlefield, a private family housekeeper, aged fifty-one years (b. NH). Orinda P. Little owned their house at 11 Crest Road, which was valued at $8,500. They did not have a radio set. All three women were widows, Orinda P. Little having married at thirty-four years of age, Eliza D. Plummer at twenty-three years of age, and Fanny W. Littlefield at forty years of age.
Eliza D. (Wentworth) Plummer died in Sharon, MA, March 12, 1931, aged seventy-nine years.
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