By Muriel Bristol | May 7, 2023
Lewis Plumer was born in Milton, June 6, 1809, a supposed son of Joseph Plumer.
(Some analysts posit him as an only child of a supposed first wife of Joseph Plumer (1786-1826), and, if so, he would have been an elder half-sibling of Enoch W. Plummer (1815-1896) (and others). There would seem to have been some connection between them. He and Enoch W. Plummer would become eventually partners in a Milton sawmill).
Joseph Plumer headed a Milton household at the time of the Third (1810) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 45-plus years [Joseph Plumer], one female aged 45-plus years, one male aged 26-44 years, two females aged 26-44 years, one male aged 16-25 years, one female aged 16-25 years, three males aged 10-15 years, one female aged 10-15 years, one male aged under-10 years [Lewis Plumer]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Widow Betsy [(Twombly)] Hayes and Beard Plumer.
Purported father Joseph Plumer died in Milton, in 1826. (His last will devised to his children but did not mention supposed son Lewis Plumer).
Lewis Plumer married in Somersworth, NH, March 3, 1836, Lydia Chamberlain, he of Milton and she of Rochester, NH. Rev. Eleazar Smith performed the ceremony. She was born in Rochester, NH, August 12, 1811, daughter of Samuel and Susan (Tebbetts) Chamberlain.
(The known children of Lewis and Lydia (Chamberlain) Plumer were: Charles A. Plumer (1836–1930), Abigail A. “Abbie” Plumer (1839–1922), Hannah K. Plumer (1842–1866), Lydia A. Plumer (1843–1843), and George L. Plumer (1846–1935)).
Son Charles A. Plumer was born in Milton, November 13, 1836. Daughter Abigail A. “Abbie” Plumer was born in Milton, November 15, 1839.
Lewis Plumer was the head of a Milton household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 30-39 years [himself], one female aged 20-29 years [Elizabeth (Chamberlain) Plumer], one male aged under-5 years [Charles A. Plumer], and one female aged under-5 years [Abby A. Plumer]. One member of his household was engaged in Agriculture. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of William Moulton and William Adams.
Daughter Hannah K. Plumer was born in Milton in 1842. Daughter Lydia A. Plumer was born in Milton, April 15, 1843. She died in Milton, April 17, 1843. Son George L. Plumer was born in Milton, March 10, 1846.
Lewis Plumer, a farmer, aged forty years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Lydia [(Chamberlain)] Plumer, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH), Charles A. Plumer, aged thirteen years (b. NH), Abigail Plumer, aged ten years (b. NH), Hannah F. Plumer, aged seven years (b. NH), and George L. Plumer, aged four years (b. NH). Lewis Plumer had real estate valued at $3,000. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Robert Clark, a farmer, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), and John Mills, a farmer, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH).
Mother-in-law Susan (Tebbetts) Chamberlain died in Rochester, NH, February 9, 1848. Father-in-law Samuel Chamberlain died in Rochester, NH, January 15, 1853. His last will bequeathed property to his daughter, Lydia Plumer (among other children).
The Milton Selectmen of 1854 were J.S. Hersey, J.N. Witham, and Lewis Plummer. The Milton Selectmen of 1855 were Jos. Sayward, Lewis Plummer, and J.C. Wentworth.
Milton sent Lewis Plumer, and Luther Hayes, to Concord, NH, as its NH State Representatives for the 1857-58 biennium. The NH House Committee on Mileage reported his round-trip mileage to the legislature, as well as that of the other Milton representative, Lewis Plumer, as being eighty miles. (They likely boarded in the capitol, Concord, NH, during the legislative season rather travel that distance daily).
In June 1857, Rep. Bryant moved that NH House vote upon “an act in relation to railroads and railroad bonds.” Rep. Stevens of Laconia, NH, put forward an amendment that would have capped the voting power of railroad shareholders who owned more than fifty voting shares.
SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That every stockholder in any railroad corporation in this State shall be limited to fifty votes as the greatest number he shall be entitled to cast in any annual or other meeting of such corporation (NH General Court, 1857).
Rep. Plumer of Milton and Rep. Hayes voted against that amendment, which failed with 108 representatives (39.7%) voting in favor and 164 representatives (60.3%) voting against the amendment.
Lewis Plumer was one of the first officers of the Unity Lodge, No. 62, of Masons when it was established in 1857. He served as both treasurer and chaplain.
Unity Lodge, No. 62, A.F. and A.M., of Union. …The first officers were James Tucker, Worshipful Master; Charles C. Hayes, S.W.; Oliver Seavey, J.W.; William B. Reynolds, secretary; Lewis Plumer, treasurer; Herbert F. Stevens, S.D.; Alvah Runnells, J.D.; Lewis Plumer, chaplain; A.D. Merrow, S.S.; A.J. Lord, J.S.; Hosea Runnells, tyler (Merrill, ).
Lewis Plumer, a farmer, aged fifty-one years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills P.O.”) household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Lydia [(Chamberlain)] Plumer, aged forty-nine years (b. NH), Charles A. Plumer, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), Abba A. Plumer, aged twenty years (b. NH), Hannah K. Plumer, aged seventeen years (b. NH), George L. Plumer, aged fourteen years (b. NH), Samuel S. Colby, a farm laborer, aged forty-four years (b. NH), and Betsey [(Jenness)] Colby, aged sixty-two years (b. NH). Lewis Plumer had real estate valued at $5,000 and personal estate valued at $2,000. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Richard I. Clarke, a farmer, aged sixty-nine years (b. NH), and Betsy Adams, aged sixty-five years (b. NH).
Daughter Hannah K. Plumer died of consumption in Milton, February 9, 1866, aged twenty-three years, four months.
Lewis Plumer paid a $10 tax for his manufacturer’s license in the U.S. Excise Tax of May 1866.
Lewis Plumer & Son for many years after the war did an extensive lumber business at the Hayes mills (Scales, 1914).
Son George L. Plumer married in Milton, November 12, 1868, Abbie J. Rhines. She was born in Milton, in 1848, daughter of Samuel F. and Susan (Remick) Rhines.
In addition to farming, he [Enoch W. Plummer] also was owner of a half interest in a saw mill, his partner being Lewis Plummer (Scales, 1914).
Lewis Plummer, a farmer, aged sixty-one years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Lydia [(Chamberlain)] Plummer, keeping house, aged fifty-nine years (b. NH), Charles A. Plummer, a farm laborer, aged thirty-three years (b. NH), and Abba A. Plummer, at home, aged thirty years (b. NH). Lewis Plumer had real estate valued at $5,000 and personal estate valued at $1,240. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Albert Jenness, works in shoe factory, aged forty-eight years (b. NH), and [his son,] George L. Plummer, works in saw mill, aged twenty-four years (b. NH).
George L. Plummer, works in saw mill, aged twenty-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Abbie J. [(Rhines)] Plummer, keeping house, aged twenty-one years (b. NH). George L. Plummer had personal estate valued at $800. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of [his father,] Lewis Plummer, a farmer, aged sixty-one years (b. NH), and Luther D. Trefren, works for shoe factory, aged fifty-three years (b. NH).
Abbie J. (Rhines) Plumer died of consumption in Milton, June 27, 1870, aged twenty-two years.
A NH Board of Agriculture Report of November 1870 identified some of principal Agricultural men of Milton as being J.S. Applebee, Edwin Hunt, S.G. Chamberlin, Joseph Plumer, Charles Jones, Lewis Plumer, George Lyman, E.W. Plumer, Luther Hayes, and Joseph Cook. It said that the specialties to which they gave their attention were general farming, stock raising, and fruit (NH Dept. of Agriculture, 1871).
Lewis Plumer appeared in the Milton business directories of 1871, 1873, 1874, 1875, and 1876, as a Milton lumber manufacturer (P.O. Address Union).
Son George L. Plumer married (2nd) in Milton, November 21, 1872, Ada Estella Burroughs, both of Milton. He was a widowed millman, aged twenty-six years, and she was aged eighteen years. Joseph Mathes, J.P., performed the ceremony. She was born in Milton, April 28, 1855, daughter of James B. and Lorania (Blaisdell) Burroughs.
Lewis Plumer, a farmer & runs sawmill, aged seventy years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Lydia [(Chamberlain)] Plumer, aged sixty-nine years (b. NH), and his children, Chas. A. Plumer, at home, aged forty-three years (b. NH), and Abby A. Plumer, at home, aged forty years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of James Burroughs, a farmer, aged fifty years (b. ME), and Susan R. Jones, keeping house, aged sixty-five years (b. ME).
George L. Plumer, a farmer & runs sawmill, aged thirty-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Ada E. [(Burroughs)] Plumer, keeping house, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), and his children, Agnes H. Plumer, aged six years (b. NH), Minnie R. Plumer, aged three years (b. NH), and Etta A. Plumer, aged two months (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Edward E. Hart, a farmer, aged sixty-eight years (b. NH), and Aaron Prescott, a farmer, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH).
UNION. Messrs. Lewis Plummer & Sons have had a massive granite monument erected on their lot in the cemetery (Farmington News, August 19, 1887).
Daughter Abby A. Plumer married in Woburn, MA, January 24, 1888, John Smith Huse, both of Woburn, MA. She was at home, aged forty years, and he was a shoe stock[er], aged forty years. Rev. M. Emory Wright performed the ceremony. Huse was born in Haverhill, MA, circa 1848, son of Edwin E. and Ruth A. (Harrington) Huse.
Son-in-law John S. Huse died of tuberculosis in Woburn, MA, March 31, 1889, aged forty-one years, eighteen months, and twenty-six days.
Lydia (Chamberlain) Plumer died in Milton, March 31, 1892.
Lewis Plumer, a farmer, aged ninety years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his son, Charles A. Plumer, a farmer, aged sixty-three years (b. NH), his daughter, Abby A. [(Plumer)] Huse, a widow, aged sixty years (b. NH), and his [step-] grandson, Raymond H. Huse, a school teacher, aged nineteen years (b. MA). Charles A. Plumer owned their farm, free-and-clear. Abby A. Huse was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Fred W. Miller, woolen miller, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), and Albion F. Varney, a farmer, aged forty-five years (b. ME).
George L. Plumer, a lumberman, runs sawmill, aged fifty-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-seven years), Ada E. [(Burroughs)] Plumer, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), his children, Agnes H. Plumer, aged twenty-six years (b. NH), Minnie R. Plumer, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), and Esther A. Plumer, aged twenty years (b. NH), and Helen Plumer, aged eight years (b. NH), and his mother-in-law Lorania Burrows, aged seventy-one years (b. NH). George L. Plumer owned their farm, free-and-clear. Ada E. Plumer was the mother of four children, of whom four were still living. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Albion F. Varney, a farmer, aged forty-five years (b. ME), and Charles H. Wentworth, a farmer, aged sixty-two years (b. NH).
Lewis Plumer died of senility in Milton, April 13, 1903, aged ninety-three years, ten months, and seven days. He was a farmer and lifelong resident of Milton.
Charles A. Plumer, a farmer (general farm), aged seventy-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his niece, Agnes H. Plumer, aged thirty-six years (b. NH). Charles A. Plumer owned their farm, free-and-clear. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of George W. Morrill, a shoe factory trimmer, aged forty-nine years (b. NH), and [his brother,] George L. Plumer, a farmer (general farm), aged sixty-four years (b. NH).
Ramond H. Huse, clergy (Methodist), aged twenty-nine years (b. MA), headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household include his wife (of four years), Mabel H. [(Ridgeway)] Huse, aged twenty-seven years (b. MA), and his [step-] mother, Abbie [(Plumer)] Huse, aged seventy years (b. NH). Raymond H. Huse rented their house at 17 Hough Street.
George L. Plumer, a farmer (general farm), aged sixty-four years, headed a Milton household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirty-eight years), Ada E. [(Burroughs)] Plumer, aged fifty-five years, his children, Minnie R. Plumer, aged thirty-three years, Etta A. Plumer, aged thirty years, Hellen L. Plumer, aged eighteen years, and his mother-in-law, Lorenia Burrows, aged eighty-two years. George L. Plumer owned their farm, free-and-clear. Ada E. Plumer was the mother of four children, of whom four were still living. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of [his brother,] Charles A. Plumer, a farmer (general farm), aged seventy-three years (b. NH), and Edwin R. Jenness, an odd jobs laborer, aged fifty-two years (b. NH).
UNION. A few friends met at the house of Mrs. George Plumer, Monday, it being the occasion of the 83rd birthday of her mother, Mrs. James Burroughs, who resides with her. Mrs. Burroughs is very active for one of her years, and still does very fine needlework. Among her presents was a gold thimble which no doubt she will enjoy using. May she live to enjoy many more such days (Farmington News, July 15, 1910).
Lorania (Blaisdell) Burroughs died of acute nephritis in Milton, October 1, 1910, aged eighty-three years, two months, and twenty days.
UNION. Mrs. Loraine Burroughs, widow of James Burroughs who died Oct. 30, ’99, passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. George Plumer, Oct 1., aged 83 years. Mrs. Burroughs was the daughter of Rev. Benjamin Blaisdell, a Free will Baptist minister of Lebanon, Me., and Zubia Mathes of Thomaston, Me. She was born in Parsonsfield, Me., July 11, 1827; she lived in Middleton until about five years of age when she went to Dovor where she resided until a few years after her marriage. They then came to the bouse now occupied by Joseph Mitchell, where they remained until the death of the husband, when Mrs. Burroughs came to live with her only daughter. The deceased was a devoted wife and a loving mother. In her last illness, of about two months’ duration, she freely expressed her faith in Christ, and spoke of her tender feeling for everyone. Funeral services were held Tuesday conducted by Rev. E.C. Sargent, with Undertaker Fox of Milton in charge. Singing was by C.J. Jackson. The floral offerings were many and beautiful (Farmington News, October 7, 1910).
Charles A. Plumer, aged eighty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his niece, Agnes H. Plumer, aged forty-six years (b. NH). Charles A. Plumer owned their farm on the Union Road. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of [his brother,] George L. Plumer, a lumberman (owner), aged seventy-three years (b. NH), and George W. Morrill, a shoe shop trimmer, aged fifty-six years (b. NH).
Raymond H. Huse, a Methodist Episcopal clergyman, aged thirty-nine years (b. MA), headed a Concord, NH, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Mabel H. [(Ridgeway)] Huse, aged thirty-six years (b. MA), and his [step-] mother, Abbie A. [(Plumer)] Huse, aged eighty years (b. NH). Raymond H. Huse owned their house at 8 Green Street, free-and-clear.
George L. Plumer, a lumberman (owner), aged seventy-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Ada E. [(Burroughs)] Plumer, aged sixty-four years (b. NH), and his daughters, Etta A. Plumer, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH), and Helen A. Plumer, a high school teacher, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH). George L. Plumer owned their farm on the Union Road. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Margaret A. [(Philbrick)] Shaw, a widow, aged forty-nine years (b. NH), a lumberman (owner), aged seventy-three years (b. NH), and [his brother,] Charles A. Plumer, aged eighty-three years (b. NH).
Daughter Abbie A. (Plumer) Huse died of La Grippe and chronic enteritis at 8 Green Street in Concord, NH, February 23, 1922, aged eighty-two years, three months, and eight days. She had resided in Concord, NH, for six years, and five months, i.e., since circa September 1915, with her previous residence having been in Dover, NH. She was a widow. S.G. Morrill, M.D., signed the death certificate.
Son Charles A. Plumer died of arteriosclerosis on the State Road (near Union), January 1, 1930, aged ninety-three years, one month, and seventeen days. He was a farmer and lifelong resident.
George L. Plumer, a farmer (general farming), aged eighty-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of fifty-seven years), Ada E. [(Burroughs)] Plumer, aged seventy-four years (b. NH), and his daughter, Etta A. Plumer, aged fifty years (b. NH). George L. Plumer owned their farm on the Union Road. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of [his daughter] Agnes H. Plumer, aged fifty-six years (b. NH), and Lewis McDonald, aged seventy-six years (b. NH).
Daughter-in-law Ada E. (Burroughs) Plumer died of angina pectoris in Milton, January 2, 1931, aged seventy-five years, eight months, and four days. H.E. Anderson, M.D., signed the death certificate.
Son George L. Plumer died of arteriosclerosis on the Union Road in Milton, January 5, 1935, aged eighty-eight years, nine months, and twenty-five days. He was a widowed, retired lumber operator and lifelong resident of Milton. P.A. Kimball, M.D., signed the death certificate.
References:
Find a Grave. (2012, June 18). Samuel Chamberlain. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/92133999/samuel-chamberlin
Find a Grave. (2018, April 23). Abbie A. Plumer Huse. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/189103410/abbie-a-huse
Find a Grave. (2020, June 10). John Smith Huse. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/211168099/john-smith-huse
Find a Grave. (2018, April 23). Charles A. Plumer. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/189104725/charles-a-plumer
Find a Grave. (2018, April 23). George L. Plumer. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/189104155/george-l-plumer
Find a Grave. (2018, April 23). Hannah K. Plumer. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/189104668/hannah-k-plumer
Find a Grave. 2021, (November 8). Joseph Plumer. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/233852590/joseph-plumer
Find a Grave. (2018, April 23). Lewis Plumer. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/189103452/lewis-plumer
Find a Grave. (2018, April 23). Lydia A. Chamberlain Plumer. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/189104628/lydia-a-plumer
Find a Grave. (2018, April 23). Lydia Chamberlain Plumer. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/189103467/lydia-plumer
Merrill, Georgia D. (1889). History of Carroll County. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=nQE2AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA196
NH Department of Agriculture. (1871). First Annual Report of the Board of Agriculture. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=dJUZAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA48
NH General Court. (1857). Journals of the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the State of New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=Jd43AAAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA458
Scales, John. (1914). History of Strafford County, New Hampshire and Representative Citizens. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=nGsjAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA525
Milton Observer 