By Muriel Bristol | July 20, 2025
Joseph Plummer [Jr.] was born in August 13, 1786, son of Beard and Susanna (Ham) Plummer. He was a namesake for his paternal uncle, Joseph Plummer [Sr.].
Maternal grandfather Jonathan Ham died in Rochester, NH, in 1793. Mother Susanna (Ham) Plummer died in Milton, February 20, 1803.
Father Beard Plummer and his brother, Enoch Plummer, were assessed in the Milton School District No. 1 of another brother, Joseph Plummer, in 1806 (See Milton School Districts – 1806).
[Lewis Plummer was born in Milton, June 6, 1809. (N.B. Though some have posited him to be a son of Joseph Plummer, through a first marriage to Anna “Nancy” (Cram) Plummer (1787-1814) of Newburyport, MA, she was not a first wife of this Joseph Plummer, nor the mother of Lewis Plummer)].
Joseph Plumer, Jr., married in Hampton Falls, NH, October 8, 1810, Sarah “Sally” Brown, he of Milton and she of Hampton Falls, NH. Rev. Jacob Abbott performed the ceremony. She was born 1785, daughter of Nathan and Miriam (Smith) Brown.
(The known children of Joseph and Sarah (Brown) Plummer were: Jonathan Plummer (1811-1812), Caroline Plummer (1813-1865), Enoch W. Plummer (1815-1896), Beard Plummer (1817-1902), Joseph Plummer (1820-1907), Sarah Plummer (1821-1894)).
Father-in-law Nathan Brown of Hampton Falls, NH, made his last will, November 15, 1811. He devised a one-third part of his farm and its building while she remained a widow. He directed his sons, John Brown and Josiah Brown, to provide her with as much firewood as she might need for her comfortable support, cut and hauled to her door, as well as a horse and chaise whenever she shall occasion to use them. He also bequeathed his furniture to her- excepting his clock – for her own proper use forever. Were she to remarry, she was to receive two cows and $100.
Nathan Brown bequeathed $15 each to his daughters, Sally Plummer and Nancy Berry, at his death and a further $40 each within two years. He devised other real estate to his son, Benjamin Brown, namely the farm on which he now lives (purchased of Levi Healey); the 20 acres of land situate in Exeter near Susanna Leavitt (purchased of Moses Pike); the 2 acres of land situate in Exeter, to be taken off that side adjoining Abner Sanborn, to be of equal width at both ends (purchased of O. Peabody & G. Lamson); the five acres purchased of Samuel Tilton; and the 4 acres of salt marsh in Hampton (purchase of one Folsom). He directed his son, Benjamin Brown, to pay the legacies mentioned, as well as $100 to his brother, William Brown, in part of what I owe him; and the payments and performance due to Sarah Healey as her life estate.
Nathan Brown bequeathed $150 to his eldest son, John Brown. He bequeathed all the rest and remainder in equal shares to this his eldest son, John Brown, and to his youngest son, Josiah Brown. He named those two sons, John Brown and Josiah Brown, to be his joint executors. Benjamin Sanborn, Zephaniah Brown, and Levi Lane signed as witnesses (Rockingham County Probate, 40:322).
Son Jonathan Plummer was born in Milton, November 5, 1811. He was a namesake for his great grandfather, Jonathan Ham. He died in Milton, March 21, 1812.
Father-in-law Nathan Brown died December 1, 1811, aged fifty-eight years. His is said to have died or been lost at sea while serving as chief officer of the ship Monk (Salem Gazette, May 21, 1811). His last will was proved in a Rockingham County Probate Court held in Exeter, NH, January 6, 1812 (Rockingham County Probate, 40:323).
Daughter Caroline Plummer was born in Milton, January 9, 1813. Son Enoch W. Plummer was born in Milton, April 4, 1815.
Father Beard Plumer and his brother, Joseph Plumer, signed the Milton Congregational Society petition of June 1814. (See Milton Congregational Society Petition – 1814).
Paternal grandfather Hon. John Plummer died in Rochester, NH, November 19, 1815, aged ninety-six years. (Columbian Centinel, November 29, 1815).
Beard Plumer, Esq., of Milton made his last will in Milton, October 5, 1816. He devised a life estate in a chamber and another room in his new house, along with support, to Achsah Plumer. He devised $100 to his son, Enoch Plummer; $1 to granddaughter Mary Plummer (daughter of deceased son Jonathan Plummer), and an additional $99 when she became eighteen years of age; $500 to daughter Betsy Hall (wife of Joshua G. Hall); $500 to daughter Susanna Plummer, along with $300 worth of neat stock and furniture, and two feather beds and bedding; land in Milton, and a half a pew on the “town floor” of the Milton Meeting-House, to son Joseph Plumer; $600 to son Beard Plumer when he became twenty-one years of age; and a one eighth and one-half share of a one-eighth share of Lot #120 in the Fourth Division (purchased of Joseph Plumer, Jr.), and the use of his “wall pew” in the Milton Meeting-House. He named his two sons, Joseph Plumer and John Plumer, as executors. Joseph Plumer, Ann Nutter, and Levi Jones signed as witnesses (Strafford County Probate, 17:525). (See Milton Town House – 1804).
Father Beard Plummer died in Milton, October 7, 1816, aged sixty-two years.
OBITUARY. In Milton, New Hampshire, Hon. Beard Plumer, aged 62 (Christian Disciple (Boston, MA), November 1816).
(See also Hon. Beard Plummer Autopsy – 1816).
Son Beard Plummer was born in Milton, August 16, 1817. He was a namesake for his paternal grandfather, Beard Plummer. Son Joseph Plummer was born in Milton, March 11, 1820.
Joseph Plummer, Jr, signed the Milton anti-division remonstrance of June 1820. He signed also the Milton militia division petition of November 1820. (See Milton Militia Dispute – 1820).
Benjamin Scates, Theodore C. Lyman, and Joseph Plumer, Junr, signed as witnesses to the last will of Joseph Plummer, March 12, 1821 (Strafford County Probate, 24:506).
Uncle Joseph Plummer died in Milton, April 27, 1821. His last will was proved in a Strafford County Probate Court held in Wolfeborough, NH, May 29, 1821 (Strafford County Probate, 24:509).
Daughter Sarah Plummer was born in Milton, November 18, 1821. She was a namesake or “Junior” of her mother, Sarah (Brown) Plummer.
The Milton Selectmen of 1823 were H. Hayes, H. Meserve, and Jos. Plumer.
Mother-in-law Miriam (Smith) Brown died in Epping, NH, January 16, 1824.
Uncle John Plumer died in Rochester, NH, May 13, 1824, aged sixty-two years.
Joseph Plumer of Milton, husbandman, made his last will, June 18, 1825. He devised $1,000, his horse and chaise, and his household furniture, excepting that furniture otherwise devised, to his beloved wife, Sally Plumer. He devised a life estate in a lower front room and chamber in his house to his wife, Sally Plumer, and daughters, Caroline Plumer and Sarah Plumer. He devised his real estate, excepting the rooms mentioned already, to his sons, Enoch W. Plumer and Joseph Plumer, when they reached the age of twenty-one years; and his sawmill right, when they reached the age of twenty years. He devised $3,000 to his second son, Bard Plumer. He devised $1,000 and a featherbed to his eldest daughter, Caroline Plumer, when she either married or reached the age of twenty-one years. He devised all the rest and remainder to his children, Enoch W. Plumer, Joseph Plumer, Bard Plumer, Caroline Plumer, and Sarah Plumer. He named his brother-in-law, Joshua G. Hall, as guardian of his minor children. He named his wife, Sarah Plumer, as executrix. Levi Jones, Levi Wentworth, and Joseph P. Jones signed as witnesses (Strafford County Probate, 34:24).
Joseph Plummer [Jr.] died in Milton, January 3, 1826, aged thirty-nine years. His last will was proved in a Strafford County Probate Court, January 26, 1826 (Strafford County Probate, 34:26).
DIED. In Milton, on the 3d inst., Mr. Joseph Plumer, son of Hon. Beard Plumer, aged 39. The deceased was one of the most useful and respectable inhabitants of the town. He has left an afflicted wife, a family of young children, and an extensive circle of friends and relations, to lament their loss.
Sarah [(Brown)] Plummer headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. Her household included one female aged 40-49 years [herself], one female aged 15-19 years [Caroline Plummer], one male aged 15-19 years [Enoch W. Plummer], two males aged 10-14 years [Bard Plummer, and Joseph Plummer], one female aged 5-9 years [Sarah Plummer], one male aged 20-29 years, and one female aged 20-29 years. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Levi Jones and Jos. P. Burrows.
Son Bard Plummer married (1st) in Rochester, December 5, 1839, Mary Ann C. Horlor, he of Milton and she of Rochester, NH. She was born in Bath, England, circa 1816, daughter of William and Ann Horlor.
Married. In Rochester, on the 5th inst., by Rev. Mr. Willey, Mr. Bard Plumer, of Milton, to Miss Mary Anne C. Horlor, of Rochester (Dover Enquirer, December 17, 1839).
Son Enoch W. Plummer and Thomas Chapman were the Milton Delegates to the NH State Whig Convention, which was held in Concord, NH, Tuesday, November 21, 1837 (Times & Dover Enquirer, November 28, 1837). (See Milton’s Ante-Bellum Party Affiliations).
Sarah [(Brown)] Plumer headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. Her household included one female aged 50-59 years [herself], five males aged 20-29 years [Enoch W. Plumer, Bard Plumer, and Joseph Plumer, and others], one female aged 20-29 years [Caroline Plumer], and one female aged 15-19 years [Sarah Plumer]. Five members of her household were engaged in Agriculture. Her household appeared in the enumeration between those of Benjamin Roberts and Levi Jones.
Daughter Caroline Plummer married, March 31, 1840, David Porter Wentworth. He was born in 1814.
Son E.W. Plummer and Joseph Pearl were the Milton Delegates to the NH Fifth Senatorial District Whig Convention, which was held at the Jonathan T. Dodge Hotel in Rochester, NH, January 18, 1841. The Convention selected Daniel Winkley, Esq., of Strafford, NH, as their preferred candidate (Times & Dover Enquirer, January 26, 1841). (See Milton’s Ante-Bellum Party Affiliations).
Son Bard Plummer appeared in a list of persons enrolled in the militia of Newburyport, MA, in 1842.
NH Governor Henry Hubbard appointed son Enoch W. Plummer as Colonel of the 33rd NH Militia Regiment, in June 1843. He appointed Jonathan Sanborn as Lt. Colonel, and John Churchill as Major (Dover Enquirer, July 18, 1843).
Son-in-law David Porter Wentworth died in Ossipee, NH, September 14, 1844, aged twenty-nine years.
Son Joseph Plummer married (1st) in Somersworth, NH, October 30, 1844, Adaline Frances Baker, she of Somersworth, NH. She was born in Somersworth, NH, May 24, 1820, daughter of Moses and Sarah “Sally” (Thoms) Baker.
Marriages. In Somersworth, on the 30th ult., by Rev. Mr. Willey, Mr. Joseph Plumer of Milton, to Miss Adaline F. Baker, daughter of Hon. Moses Baker of S. [Somersworth] (Dover Enquirer, November 12, 1844).
Son Bard Plummer appeared in a list of persons enrolled in the militia of Newburyport, MA, in 1845.
Son Bard Plummer [of Newburyport, MA,] was part owner of the 110-ton brig Thoosa, of Newburyport, MA, in November 1846. (In Greek mythology and the Odyssey, “Thoosa” was the sea nymph mother of the Cyclops).
THOOSA, brig, 110 tons; built Essex, 1833; length, 73 ft.; breadth 19 ft. 4½ in.; depth 8 ft. 10 in.; billet head. Reg. Jan. 13, 1845. Benjamin P. Dow, Nicholas Varina, owners; Nicholas Varina, master. Reg. Nov. 1, 1845. Benjamin P. Dow, Nicholas Varina, both of Newburyport, owners; Stephen Goodwin, master. Reg. Nov. 6, 1846. Bard Plummer, Josiah Bradley, Woodbury Masters, owners; Samuel D. Hoyt, master.
The brig Thoosa, was “cleared,” or authorized to depart, from its home port of Newburyport, MA, on its way to Havana, Cuba, in November, 1846.
HOME PORTS. NEWBURYPORT, Nov. 13 – Cld brig Thoosa, Hoyt, for Havana (New York Herald, November 16, 1846).
The brig Thoosa arrived in New Orleans, LA, on December 13, 1846, with crewmen rescued from a sinking ship.
From Havana – Seven Days Later. The brig Thoosa, arrived on the 13th from Newburyport, had on board the Captain, Mate, and six men belonging to the ship Everton, which was found leaking badly and in a sinking condition on the 28th November, in lat. 36° North, long. 629 West. The Everton experienced a severe gale on the 23d, whilst on her voyage from Boston to St. Jago, with a cargo of ice. During the gale she lost all her sails and part of her rigging (New Orleans Daily Delta (New Orleans, LA), December 26, 1846).
The brig Thoosa arrived in Charleston, SC, January 26, 1847, having traveled from Marielle, Cuba, via Havana, Cuba, with a load of molasses.
ARRIVED YESTERDAY. Brig Thoosa, Hoyt, Marielle via Havana, 7 days. Molasses. To J.M. Shackelford. Off Cape Florida spoke brig Quincy from Havana for Boston. Left at Marielle brig Sea Boor and schr. Civilian, waiting. The brig Carribee, from Frankfort, (Me.) arrived 15th inst. The brig Fawn, for Boston sailed from Marielle 14th inst. (Charleston Daily Courier (Charleston, SC), January 27, 1847).
NEW CROP WEST INDIA MOLASSES. – 118 hhds. and 14 tierces of very superior quality, cargo of brig Thoosa, from Mariel. For sale by JAMES M. SHACKELFORD, Corner Fitzsimons’ wharf and East Bay. Ja 27 (Charleston Daily Courier (Charleston, SC), January 27, 1847).
FOR NEW-YORK.– Wanted a DECK LOAD of Cotton for the Brig THOOSA, Hoyt master; to sail in a few days. Apply on board, at Exchange wharf, or to JAMES CHAPMAN, Exchange-st. Ja 29 (Charleston Daily Courier (Charleston, SC), January 29, 1847).
EXPORTS. NEW YORK – Brig Thoosa, 84 bales Upland Cotton, and 235 bbl Rice (Charleston Daily Courier (Charleston, SC), February 5, 1847).
The brig Thoosa would stop subsequently at the Delaware breakwater, Philadelphia, PA, and New York, NY, before heading south to Cuba again.
DELAWARE BREAKWATER, Feb 18 – The brig Thoosa, 17 ds fm Charleston, for N York, put in here yesterday, and remains at the anchorage in com with the vessels mentioned yesterday (NY Evening Post (New York, NY), February 20, 1847).
Son Bard Plummer [of Newburyport, MA,] was part owner also of the 98-ton schooner Gladiator, of Newburyport, MA, in 1847-48. He sold his interest in or around December 1848.
GLADIATOR, sch., 98 tons; built Duxbury, 1837; length 73 ft.; breadth 19 ft. 1 in.; depth 7 ft. 8¾ in.; billet head. Reg. Nov. 3, 1847; Woodbury Masters, of Hampton Falls, N.H., Bard Plummer, owners; Samuel D. Hoyt, master. Reg. Dec. 19, 1848. Woodbury Masters of Hampton Falls, N.H., Thomas Chase of Seabrook, N.H., Benjamin P. Dow, owners; Samuel D. Hoyt, master. Reg. Oct. 19, 1852. William Sanborn of Seabrook, N.H., Isaac H. Boardman, owners; Christopher Morey, master (Essex Institute, 1837).
Son Bard Plummer was a director of the Boston and Newburyport Mining Company in March 1849. This company was evidently formed to participate in the gold rush of 1849. They traveled to California by sea.
BOSTON AND NEWBURYPORT MINING COMPANY. Sailed from Boston, March 2, 1849, on schooner Edwin, for Chagres [Panama] to cross the Isthmus. Bard Plummer, Albert W. Goodwin, and William W. Huse, directors; George E. Allen, treasurer; G.B. Tibbets, physician; W.W. Allen, surgeon (Howe, 1923; Boston Evening Transcript, March 1, 1849).
Son Bard Plummer of Newburyport, MA, became a partner in a grocery store in San Francisco, CA, during the gold rush of 1849. Capt. George Cook, who had traveled to California by sea, and then sold his ship, met him there.
A few days after I arrived, as I was strolling along Montgomery street, carefully picking my way through the bogs, I was accosted by a person calling me by name; he was dashing along through the mud in boots that reached to his thighs, corduroy trousers, a fustian coat, hickory shirt, and a Mexican sombrero, and looked like a dismounted hussar. He was Mr. Bard Plummer, from Newburyport. He invited me down to his store. I found him engaged in the grocery business with two young men from Boston, under the style of Plummer, Kieth & Co. They had been established about seven months and had been very successful.
Their store was a rough-boarded frame building about fifteen by twenty-five feet, situated in a mud puddle near the foot of Sacramento street. In one corner of the building, a space eight feet by ten, was partitioned off with rough lumber; in it were three bunks or shelves. This was their lodging and counting room. For this miserable apology for a store they were paying a rent of $1,000 a month, and this always in advance, which at ten per cent. per month for money, makes a grand total of $25,000 per year (Cook, 1908).
Another “Forty-Niner,” also from Newburyport, MA, wrote home to his parents from San Francisco, CA, September 27, 1849. He told them that his passage from Boston had taken 170 days, which he had heard was a better than average time.
… I have seen a number of Newburyport men, Captain Bradbury, Bard Plummer, two of the House sons, John O.W. Brown, Anthony Hale. He has been sick and is getting well fast (Hendrickson, 2017).
Enoch Plumer, a farmer, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Orinda [(Ayers)] Plumer, aged thirty-three years (b. NH), John T. Plumer, aged eight years (b. NH), Joseph E. Plumer, aged seven years (b. NH), Mary B. Plumer, aged five years (b. NH), Beard Plumer, and four years (b. NH), Sarah Plumer, aged two years (b. NH), Sarah [(Brown)] Plumer, aged sixty-six years (b. NH), and Sarah Plumer, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH). Enoch Plumer had real estate valued at $6,000. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of David Wallingford, a farmer, aged forty-nine years (b. NH), and David D.A. Robinson, a shoemaker, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH).
Joseph Plumer, a farmer, aged thirty years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Adaline S. [(Baker)] Plumer. aged thirty years (b. NH), and Moses B. Plumer, aged two years (b. NH). Joseph Plumer had real estate valued at $4,000. Their household appeared in the enumeration between Nathaniel W. Burnham. overseer of the alms house, aged forty-two years (b. NH), and Nahum Tasker, a farmer, aged fifty years (b. NH).
Son Bard Plummer had one of the San Francisco, CA, merchant firms that agreed to accept Page, Bacon & Co. certificates as money in exchange for merchandise, in February 1855.
New Advertisements. SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 25th, 1855. WE, the undersigned, merchants of San Francisco, hereby agree to receive certificates of deposit on Page, Bacon & Co., at par, in payment of merchandize. Arrington & Co., Moses Ellis & Co., Pickett & Mount, J.H. Pinner, Eugene Kelley & Co., Henry Julian, Dow, McRuer Co., Loud & Hosmer, Bard Plummer, Henry Hugg & Co., Sherry, Janes & McCrea, W.C. Allen & Sawyer, Johnson & Co., Jackson McKinty, Geo. Dietz & Co., A.B. McCreery, R. McKee & Co., Haynes & Lawton, Earl & Co., Woodworth & Co., Wm. T. Coleman & Co., A.L. Edwards & Co., Hussey, Bond & Hale, Harrold, Randall & Co., Story, Redington & Co., De Long, McNiel & Co., & T.L. Horn, Lowe, Ebbets & Co., W.W. Backus. Beck & Elam. Country papers copy. [20-1m (Georgetown News (Georgetown, CA), March 1, 1855).
Daughter Sarah Plummer married in Wakefield, between April 30, 1854, and April 30, 1855, George A. Neal, she of Milton and he of Wakefield, NH. He was aged forty-one years and she was aged thirty-three years. Rev. Nathaniel Barker performed the ceremony. George A. Neal was born in Wakefield, NH, circa 1813.
Bard Plummer, a merchant, aged thirty-six years (b. NH), headed a Winchester, MA, household at the time of the First (1855) MA State Census. His household included Mary A. Plummer, aged thirty-five years (b. England), Florence L. Plummer, aged one year (b. MA), Margaret McLaughlin, a domestic, aged thirty-five years (b. Ireland), and Dorcas A. Knight, aged fifteen years (b. MA).
Daughter-in-law Mary Ann C. (Horlor) Plummer died of consumption in Winchester, MA, May 8, 1858, aged forty-two years.
DIED. In Winchester, Mass., May 8, of consumption, Mrs. Mary A.C. Plummer, wife of Mr. Bard Plummer, and daughter of Wm. Horlor, Esq., of Berwick (Union & Journal, May 21, 1858).
Daughter-in-law Adaline F. (Baker) Plummer died of neuralgia in Milton, June 30, 1858, aged thirty-eight years, one month, and six days.
E.W. Plumer, a farmer, aged forty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Orinda [(Ayers)] Plumer, aged forty-two years (b. NH), John T. Plumer, aged nineteen years (b. NH), Joseph E. Plumer, aged seventeen years (b. NH), Mary B. Plumer, aged fifteen years (b. NH), Bard B. Plumer, aged fourteen years (b. NH), Sarah Plumer, aged twelve years (b. NH), Fanny W. Plumer, aged nine years (b. NH), Susan Plumer, aged six years (b. NH), Sarah [(Brown)] Plumer, aged seventy-five years (b. NH), Caroline [(Plummer)] Wentworth, aged forty-six years (b. NH), and Thomas Wentworth, aged twenty years (b. NH). Enoch Plumer had real estate valued at $6,000 and personal estate valued at $1,500. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Joseph Plumer, a farmer, aged forty years (b. NH), and Charles Jones, a farmer, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH).
Joseph Plummer, a farmer, aged forty years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Moses B. Plummer, aged eleven years (b. NH), Joseph Plummer [III], aged eight years (b. NH), J.L. Gerrish, a farm laborer, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), Irene Gerrish, a housekeeper, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), and Charles Hammons, a boarder, aged sixty years (b. NH). Joseph Plummer had real estate valued at $6,000 and personal estate valued at $2,000. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of an unoccupied house (with Albert Nason, a farmer, aged forty-five years, just beyond), and [his brother,] E.W. Plummer, a farmer, aged forty-five years (b. NH).
George A. Neal, a clerk in store, aged forty-four years (b. NH), headed a Wakefield, NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Sarah P. [(Plummer)] Neal, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH). George A. Neal had personal estate valued at $500, and Sarah P. Neal had personal estate valued at $1,200.
Son Joseph Plummer married (2nd) in Saxonville, [Framingham,] MA, October 1, 1863. Hannah D. Clark, he of Milton and she of Framingham, MA. He was a farmer, aged forty-three years, and she was aged thirty-two years. Rev. George E. Hill performed the ceremony. She was born in Sanbornton, NH, December 18, 1830, daughter of John and Betsy (Taylor) Clark.
MARRIAGES. In Saxonville, Mass., 1st inst., Joseph Plumer, Esq., of Milton, to Miss Hannah D., daughter of John H. Clark, formerly of Sanbornton (Dover Enquirer, October 15, 1863).
Son B. [Bard] Plummer married (2nd) in Portsmouth, NH, October 13, 1863, Ellen Tarlton, he of New Orleans, LA, and she of Portsmouth, NH. He was aged forty-two years and she was aged thirty years. Rev. James D. Normandie performed the ceremony. She was born in Newcastle, NH, circa 1827, daughter of Thomas and Dorothy (Neal) Tarlton.
MARRIAGES. In Portsmouth, Mr. Bart. Plummer of New Orleans, to Ellen Tarlton, daughter of Thomas Tarlton, Esq. (Dover Enquirer, October 22, 1863).
(The riverine approaches to New Orleans had been captured by Federal forces under Admiral Farragut, in late April 1862, and the city itself had been occupied by General Butler, on May 1, 1862).
Daughter Caroline (Plummer) Wentworth died of cancer in Milton, May 31, 1865, aged fifty-one years.
Son Bard Plummer, of Plummer & Daniels, in New Orleans, LA, testified in a multilateral dispute between the Freedmen’s Bureau, in Hamburg, AR, the Harris Plantation, and its tenant agent or overseer, B.J. Adams, in December 1866.
Miss Sue Harris, owner of the Harris Plantation, complains that Adams, who has the plantation rented, is Boiling the Cotton as fast as he can preparatory to shipping it to New Orleans & selling it & thus defrauding the Negroes & her of their portion of the cotton.
Bard Plummer, Commission Merchant, New Orleans, reports to me today that by Miss Harris’ consent the cotton has been divided. That the negroes got 11 bales, 4 of which the civil officers have seized to pay for supplies sold Adams for the Negroes by Hosea & McBride. That Adams had [gone] off without settlement with either him or the Negroes. That the 4 bales of the cotton has been taken by civil officers to pay Hazard’s debt is sold & But 7 bales are left for the Freedmen. That Adams has proven himself a swindler & great rogue.
COURT NOTES. Judgement for thirteen thousand three hundred dollars was rendered in the Third District Court against Eliza S. Compton, foreclosing mortgage on a plantation in the parish of Madison. By consent of parties execution was stayed until the 1st of January, 1868. The suit was brought by Adams Daniels and Bard Plummer, holders of promissory notes in the above amount secured by mortgage (New Orleans Times (New Orleans, LA), February 2, 1867).
Sarah “Sally” (Brown) Plummer died of dropsy in Milton, July 27, 1867, aged eighty-two years. She was a widowed farmer.
Son Bard Plummer appeared in the New Orleans, LA, directory of 1869, as having his house at 46 Carondelet [street].
Son Bard Plummer was an original incorporator of the Feliciana Savings and Exchange Bank, when the Louisiana Assembly charted it in April 1870.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of of the State of Louisiana, in General Assembly convened, That following named persons, their successors and assigns, viz.: John P. Mumford, William H. Stirling, H.S. Welton, David J. Riley, T.H. Noland, William B. Cornell, Bard Plummer, Henry L. Birge, L.B. Jenks, and Carlos Wilcox, are hereby created and constituted a corporate and politic under the name and title of the “Feliciana Savings and Exchange Bank,” with all the rights and powers forth in the following articles, viz.:
Article I. The name and title of the said corporation shall be “Feliciana Savings and Exchange Bank,” and its domicile is established in the town of Bayou Sara, parish of West Feliciana, and State of Louisiana; but said corporation may establish with like powers and privileges in the towns of Jackson and Clinton, in the parish of East Feliciana, in said State. It shall exist for term of fifty (50) years from the passage of this act. It shall power to contract, sue and be sued, and shall have and use a common seal of such device as may be deemed proper … (Brandao, 1870; New Orleans Republican (New Orleans, LA), April 27, 1870).
Enoch W. Plummer, a farmer, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Orinda [(Ayers)] Plummer, keeping house, aged fifty-two years (b. NH), Mary B. Plummer, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), Bard B. Plummer, a farm laborer, aged twenty-four years (b. NH), Sarah Plummer, aged twenty-two years (b. NH), Fanny W. Plummer, aged nineteen years (b. NH), Susan Plummer, aged eleven years (b. NH), and George I. Whitehouse, a farm laborer, aged seventeen years (b. NH). Enoch Plumer had real estate valued at $6,000 and personal estate valued at $4,340. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Joseph Plummer, a farmer, aged fifty years (b. NH), and Charles Jones, a farmer, aged thirty-six years (b. NH).
Joseph Plummer, a farmer, aged fifty years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Hannah D. [(Clark)] Plummer, keeping house, aged forty years (b. NH), and Joseph Plummer, a farm laborer, aged nineteen years (b. NH). Joseph Plummer had real estate valued at $9,000 and personal estate valued at $4,240. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Enoch F. Mason, a farm laborer, aged twenty-nine years (b. NH), and [his brother,] Enoch W. Plummer, a farmer, aged fifty-five years (b. NH).
George A. Neil, a bookkeeper, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Sarah [(Plummer)] Neil, keeping house, aged forty-eight years (b. NH). George A. Neil had personal estate valued at $400.
Son Bard Plummer appeared in a list of registered voters of Newton, MA, in October 30, 1877.
Granddaughter Florence L. Plummer died of phthisis in Auburndale, [Newton,] MA, November 30, 1877, aged twenty-three years, four months. (Born in Winchester, MA, daughter of Bard Plummer (b. Milton, N.H.) and Mary A.C. Plummer (b. Bath, England)).
DEATHS. PLUMMER. – In Auburndale, 30th ult., Florence L. Plummer, only daughter of B. Plummer, 23 years, 4 months (Boston Globe, December 8, 1877).
Son Bard Plummer appeared in a list of registered voters of Newton, MA, October 24, 1879.
Enoch W. Plumer, aged sixty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Orinda [(Ayers)] Plumer, aged sixty-five years (b. NH). They shared a two-family residence with the household of Bard B. Plumer, a farmer, aged thirty-three years (b. NH). Their residence appeared between those of Joseph Plumer, a farmer, aged sixty years (b. NH), and Enoch S. Mason, a farmer, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH).
Joseph Plumer, aged sixty years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Hannah D. [(Clark)] Plumer, aged forty-nine years (b. NH), and his help, Minnie M. Langley, at house, aged fourteen years (b. NH), and Lafayette Rines, at house, aged eighteen years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Lydia Varney, keeping house, aged fifty-one years (b. NH), and Enoch W. Plumer, a farmer, aged sixty-five years (b. NH).
Bard Plummer, a merchant, aged sixty-two years (b. NH), headed a Newton, MA, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Ellen T. [(Tarlton)] Plummer, keeping house, aged forty-two years (b. NH). They resided on Hancock Street.
George A. Neal, a carpenter, aged sixty-five years (b. NH), headed a Wakefield, NH, household at the time o the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Sarah P. [Plummer)] Neal, keeping house, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH).
Son-in-law George A. Neal died November 2, 1880, aged sixty-six years.
DEATHS. In Wakefield, Nov. 2, George Neal, aged 65 yrs. (Dover Enquirer, November 4, 1880).
Bard Plummer of Newton, MA, was an agent for the Northwestern Mutual Company of Milwaukee, WI, in 1881.
Bard Plummer of this city, i.e., Boston, MA, was portrayed by artist Alfred Ordway in September 1893.
Art and Artists. Mr Alfred Ordway has just completed a fine portrait of Bard Plummer of this city. It is one of the best of Mr Ordway’s productions, being excellent in drawing, strong in color, and portraying the characteristics of the man with fidelity (Boston Globe, September 24, 1893).
Son Bard Plummer and his wife, Ellen (Tarlton) Plummer, were mentioned in a Tarlton family genealogy (of 1900) as spending more time in traveling and visiting winter resorts during his retirement.
Ellen Tarlton married Oct. 13, 1863, Bard Plummer of Milton, N.H. He went to California in 1849; was afterward interested in shipping and cotton business. He has retired from active business, and they spend some time in travel and at winter resorts. No child (Tarlton, 1900).
LOCAL MENTION. Mr. Bard Plummer, traveler, capitalist and a genial son of New Hampshire, visited Mr. Kimball at Olivewood on Sunday. He is accompanied by his wife, and after making a visit to San Francisco will return here to settle (National City Record (National City, CA), January 4, 1894).
Daughter Sarah P. (Plummer) Neal died of pneumonia in Milton, February 8, 1894, aged seventy-two years, two months, and twenty-three days. She was a widow. M.A.H. Hart, M.D., signed the death certificate.
Telegrams for the following persons are at the Western Union company’s office in this city: Leo F. Heckhouse, Bard Plummer, John Williamson (Los Angeles Herald (Los Angeles, CA), September 19, 1895).
Son Enoch W. Plumer 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.
RECENT DEATHS. … Mr. Enoch W. Plummer, one of the oldest citizens of Milton, N.H., died Thursday. He was born in the town April 4, 1813. He was identified with the Volunteer Militia, and held the commission of colonel for several years. He filled many town offices, representing the town in the New Hampshire Legislature. For over forty years he was a deacon of the Congregationalist Church, and at the date of his death the oldest Church member (Boston Evening Transcript, June 20, 1896).
AT THE HOTELS. John H. Barker of Toledo, Bard Plummer of Boston, William F. Vernier of Philadelphia, and J.C. Parkes of Galveston are at the Astor (New York Times (New York, NY), October 24, 1896).
Son Baird Plummer, a landlord, aged eighty-two years (b. NH), was a lodger in the Boston, MA, household of William Childs, a lawyer, aged fifty-one years (b. MA), at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. William Childs rented their house at 23 Claremont Park.
Lucretia Tarlton, aged eighty-five years (b. NH), headed a Portsmouth, NH, houshold at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. Her household included her sisters, Dorothy Tarlton, aged eighty-two years (b. NH), Ann Tarlton, aged seventy-four years (b. NH), Ellen [(Tarlton)] Plummer, a widow [SIC], aged seventy years (b. NH), and her niece, Emma F. Tarlton, aged forty years (b. at Sea). Lucretia Tarlton owned their house on Supervisor Street.
Joseph Plumer [Jr.], a farmer, aged eighty years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirty-seven years), Hannah B. [(Clark)] Plumer, aged sixty-nine years (b. NH). Joseph Plumer owned their farm, free-and-clear. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Bard B. Plumer, a farmer, aged fifty-three years (b. NH), and Calvin Mason, a farmer, aged fifty-three years (b. NH).
Son Bard Plummer died of a complication of diseases (including cancer) at 470 Lake Avenue in Manchester, NH, September 7, 1902, aged eighty-five years, twenty-one days. He was a married merchant.
PERSONAL MENTION. Ex-Sheriff Bard Plummer of Milton came here on the early train this morning and accompanied by the Knights Templar on their excursion (Foster’s Daily Democrat, September 9, 1902).
Son Joseph Plummer, [Jr.], died of progressive muscular atrophy at Plummer’s Ridge in Milton, March 5, 1907, aged eighty-six years, eleven months, and twenty-five days. He was a farmer and a lifelong resident of Milton. James J. Buckley, M.D., signed the death certificate.
LOCAL. Mr. Joseph Plummer of Milton, one of the most respected men of this county, has passed away at the age of eighty-five years (Farmington News, March 8, 1907).
Ann Tarlton, own income, aged eighty-nine years (b. NH), headed a Portsmouth, NH, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. Her household included her sister, Ellen T. [(Tarlton)] Plummer, own income, aged eighty years (b. NH), and her niece, Emma F. Tarlton, none, aged forty-five years (b. Bay of Bengal, India (U.S. Citizen)). Ann Tarlton owned their house on Livermore Street, free-and-clear.
Daughter-in-law Ellen (Tarlton) Plummer died of apoplexy at 46 Livermore Street in Portsmouth, NH, February 12, 1912, aged eighty-four years, six months, and eight days. She was a widow.
Mrs. Ellen T. Plummer Dead. PORTSMOUTH, N.H., Feb. 12 – Mrs. Ellen Tarlton Plummer, aged 84, widow of Bard Plummer, died today. She was the daughter of Capt. Thomas and Dorothy Tarlton and is survived by a niece, Miss Emma F. Tarlton, who has always resided with her, and by several nephews (Boston Globe, February 13, 1912).
Hannah D. (Clark) Plummer died of chronic valvular disease of heart at Plummer’s Ridge in Milton, September 2, 1912, aged eighty-one years, eight months, and fifteen days. She had resided in Milton for forty-five years, i.e., since circa 1867, with her previous residence having been in South Framingham, MA. James J. Buckley, M.D., signed the death certificate.
References:
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Milton Observer 