As I mentioned in my last post, my 5th ggf and ggf, William Plummer and Elizabeth Kemp, were the parents of at least two sons, Kemp Thomas Plummer and George William Plummer. Some sources refer to the second son only as William Plummer. At any rate, it seems that he was born sometime between 1721 and 1730 at Mobjack Bay, near Gloucester, and was a planter, like his father. Most of the written records for his life concern his time spent in service during the Revolutionary War where he was a member of Thoedorick Bland’s Light Dragoons. We also know from the Kingston Parish Vestry Book that he served as vestryman from 1756-1771, and married Mary Cecelia Elizabeth Hayes in August 25, 1768 at Kingston Parish.
Mary was the daughter of Col. Richard Hayes, Jr and Mary Buckner. She was born about 1725, probably also in Gloucester, where the family continued to live until about 1779 when Captain Plummer died.
Soon after his death, Mary and the children took the 16,000 pounds that George had left them and moved south, just into North Carolina in Warren County where they purchased 300 acres for 800 pounds. The land lay on the southwest side of Possum Quarter Creek.
Some sources cite George’s mother, Elizabeth Kemp, as dying in Warren Co., NC, which is possible if she moved with George’s widow Mary and the children. Mary’s date of death is listed as 1800 in most sources which would mean she died soon after the family moved. But by this time, the children were all old enough to be on their own, so it is possible. Her name is on the land transaction papers, so we know she moved with the children.
Speaking of children, Mary and George are the parents of 2 sons and 4 daughters. Of course, there is some disagreement on their dates of birth, but I think these dates are in the ballpark. The only thing we are sure of is that they were all born in Gloucester.
The first born is George William, Jr, who is often confused with his father. He was born about 1747 and died about 1809 in Tennessee. He married Elizabeth “Betsy” Jones Ransom (1766-1814). I will post more about them later, since he is my 3rd ggf.
Mary Hayes, born in 1749 is the second child. She married John Austin Willis, and died Oct 12 1824.
The third child is Elizabeth, born 1751 and married to Major William Weldon (1755-1785). She dies May 4, 1853.
The fourth child, Anne, is the one we know least about. Sometimes her name is listed as Anne “Nancy” with a birth date of 1755 and a death date of 1843. It is unclear if she married or had any children.
The best known girl, Hannah, is the fifth child. She was born Aug 25 1760 and was married to the Hon. Nathaniel Macon (1758-1837). She died as a young age, on Jan 11 1790. There is much written about both of them, but I will add a bit more later.
The best known son is the last, Kemp Plummer. He was born in 1767 and married Susanna Martin in 1794. They are the parents of 13 children, many of whom are well known. Kemp was an important citizen of Warren County when he died Jan 19 1826. I will write another post about him, or include him in a post about his siblings. His most famous descendant is Kemp Plummer Battle.
The Best and the Brightest 