William Plumer was an American senator from New Hampshire.
Background
He was born on June 25, 1759 at Newburyport, Massachussets, United States, the eldest of the six children of Samuel and Mary (Dole) Plumer and the descendant of Francis Plumer who emigrated from England and settled at Newbury in 1634. His father removed in 1768 to a farm in Epping, New Hampshire, where William's childhood was spent.
Education
He obtained a scanty schooling in Epping. Later he began the study of law under Joshua Atherton.
Career
When about twenty years old he passed through a period of religious fervor, became a Baptist exhorter, and conducted revival services in the outlying settlements.
His political career began with his election as selectman in 1783. But he soon returned to the farm and, owing to various interruptions, was not admitted to the bar until November 1787. He began practice in Epping. He took part in the suppression of the insurrectionary disturbances of this troubled era and supported the adoption of the federal Constitution, although defeated for membership in the ratifying convention.
He served in the legislature, 1785-86, 1788, 1790, 1791, and from 1797-1800. He was speaker of the House in 1791 and 1797 and was regarded in the state as one of the ablest members of the Federalist party, being largely responsible for its efficient organization and campaign methods. He also was a member of the constitutional convention of 1791-92. He served in the United States Senate from June 17, 1802, to March 3, 1807, and declined to be a candidate for reelection.
His career in the Senate was not conspicuous, and he seldom spoke. During his tenure he kept a diary of the Senate proceedings, which is an important but seldom used historical source. He served as president of the state Senate in 1810 and 1811, and in 1812 was elected governor in a close and acrimonious campaign, when the popular vote was so close that final choice was made by the legislature. As governor he made stirring pleas for support of the Madison administration and the preservation of the Union. His loyal compliance with the president's requisitions for troops was in striking contrast to the opposition of several other New England governors. A candidate for the same office in the three succeeding years, he was defeated by narrow majorities in campaigns of extraordinary bitterness. With the restoration of peace he was elected and served as governor from 1816 to 1819.
He performed his last official service in 1820, when as presidential elector he cast the only vote against the choice of James Monroe. He wrote for the press for many years following his retirement and began a history of the United States, a project he had discussed with Jefferson while in the Senate (part of manuscript in Library of Congress).
He retained his faculties to an advanced age, his physical and mental strength declining gradually until his death at his old home in Epping.
Achievements
Religion
He rejected Calvinism, supported religious freedom.
Politics
He followed the orthodox Federalist course in politics, and his letters show that he had most of the prejudices but not the social intolerance of his party. For Jefferson he appears to have had a certain partiality, which later developed into friendship and admiration.
The foreign difficulties of Jefferson's second administration had changed his attitude, and his statement in 1806 that he was no longer a fervent party man was followed by his repudiation of Federalism and his support of Madison in 1808. He was soon active in the Republican party
Membership
He was elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1815.
Personality
Quotes from others about the person
"I wish French politics were as good as his French wines; but to me, at least, they have by no means so exquisite a flavor, " he wrote in 1802.
Connections
He became engaged to Sally Fowler of New Market, to whom he was married on February 12, 1788. They had six children.