William Plumer
William Plumer | |
---|---|
John T. Gilman | |
Succeeded by | Samuel Bell |
Member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives | |
In office 1788 1790–1791 1797–1800 | |
Personal details | |
Born | William Plumer, Jr. | June 25, 1759
Residence | Epping, New Hampshire |
Alma mater | Newburyport South Writing School |
Profession | Attorney |
William Plumer (June 25, 1759 – December 22, 1850) was an American lawyer,
Early life
Plumer was born in Newburyport, Province of Massachusetts Bay on June 25, 1759, the son of farmer and merchant Samuel Plumer and Mary (Dole) Plumer. His family moved to Epping, New Hampshire, in 1768, and he was raised at his father's farm on Epping's Red Oak Hill. Plumer attended the Red Oak Hill School until he was 17.
Frequent ill health left him unsuited for military service during the American Revolution or life as a farmer, and after a religious conversion experience in his late teens, Plumer was trained as a Baptist exhorter (a lay preacher). For several years he traveled throughout the state to deliver sermons to Baptist churches and revival meetings. He briefly considered a career as a doctor, and began to study medicine. Later deciding on a legal career, he studied law with attorneys Joshua Atherton of Amherst and John Prentice of Londonderry. While studying under Atherton, his fellow law clerks included William Coleman, who remained a lifelong friend. Plumer attained admission to the bar in 1787, and began to practice in Epping.
Early career
In addition to practicing law, Plumer was active in local politics and government. He held several town offices, including
US Senate
Plumer was elected to the
In 1803, Plumer was one of several New England Federalists to propose secession from the United States because of the lack of power by Federalists, the rising influence of Jeffersonian Democrats, and the diminished influence of the North since the Louisiana Purchase. Recalling his involvement in the secession scheme in 1827, Plumer said, "This was, I think, the greatest political error of my life: & would, had it been reduced to practise [sic], instead of releiving [sic], destroyed New England.... Fortunately for my own reputation the erroneous opinion I formed produced no bitter fruits to myself or my country."[1]
New Hampshire Senate
Plumer served in the New Hampshire Senate in 1810 and 1811, and was chosen in both years to serve as the Senate's president.
Governor
By now a Democratic-Republican, in 1812, Plumer was the party's successful nominee for Governor of New Hampshire, and he served until 1813. He returned to office in 1816, and served until 1819.
Presidential elector, 1820
In the
Other activities
Plumer was a founder and the first president of the New Hampshire Historical Society. He was elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1815.[3]
Death and burial
Plumer died in Epping on December 22, 1850, and was buried at the Plumer Family Cemetery in Epping.
Family
In 1788, Plumer married Sarah "Sally" Fowler of Newmarket, New Hampshire. They were the parents of six children—William, Sally, Samuel, George Washington, John Jay, and Quintus. William Plumer Jr. was an author and attorney who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1819 to 1825.
See also
References
- ^ Lynn W. Turner. William Plumer of New Hampshire, 1759–1850. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press, 1962, p. 150.
- ^ "Daniel D. Tompkins, 6th Vice President (1817–1825)" United States Senate web site.
- ^ American Antiquarian Society Members Directory
External links
- Works by William Plumer at Project Gutenberg
- Works by or about William Plumer at Internet Archive
- A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns, 1787–1825
- United States Congress. "William Plumer (id: P000393)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- William Plumer at Find a Grave
- William Plumer at National Governors Association
- Memoir of William Plumer, Senior, by Albert Harrison Hoyt. 1871.