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Plumer Family Collection

 File
Identifier: MS.2018.026

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of various materials spanning several generations of the Plumer family, including notes and letters of Thomas Plumer (1711-1781), a Latin exercise book of his brother, Joseph (1716-1747), and a manuscript notebook of Tamil translations written by Thomas's son, Hall Plumer (1751-1820). The majority of Thomas' letters are addressed to his wife Nancy, though he also writes to his sister-in-law, Betsy, and a Reverand Mr. Hazeland of Tottenham, to whom he has entrusted the education of his two sons.

Other materials in the collection include an 18th c. epitaph and religious poem presumably written by Thomas, a record of the Hall family (Alice Hall was Thomas' mother), legal wills of Thomas Plumer and Rev. Francis Plumer, a marriage settlement, financial accounts of Susanna Plumer, notes on the history of local castles, and letters from various Plumer relations.

Dates

  • Creation: 1730-1882

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Biographical / Historical

Thomas Plumer (1711-1781) of Lilling Hall in North Riding, Yorkshire, was a London wine merchant and father to five children, including two sons, Hall (1751-1820) and Thomas (1753-1824). The former was a civil servant and public works contractor who owned a 43-acre estate called 'The Pantheon' in what is now Chennai, India. The estate, sold in 1793, eventually became the Chennai Museum. Hall's brother, Thomas, was a judge, politican and Master of the Rolls.

Extent

.5 Linear feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Collection of manuscript notebooks, letters, and documents from 18th-19th c., spanning several generations of the Plumer family and their distant relations. Multiple items have been annotated in 1858 by a likely relative, Thomas C. Price, Vicar of St. Augustine, Bristol.

Provenance

Clark Library purchase, Dean Cooke, 2018.

Processing Information

Collection processed and described by Sacha Schneider, 2020.

Title
Plumer Family Collection
Author
Finding aid by Sacha Schneider
Date
2020
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library Repository

Contact:
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