PLUMMER-Gateshead

[samgibbons56]

Hello all,
I wonder if anyone can help with a little background info at all?
I have a Matthew Plummer bn Thormanby NRY, he died at Sheriff Hill House in 1856 the house no longer exists though.
He was quite a business man in Gateshead and left a substantial amount of money in his will, (which I have been unable to locate thus far) and his 2 sons were involved in a Chancery case a couple of years later.
My question is:- is there any connection with various buildings in Gateshead ie: Plummer tower? I had noticed the name but did not know if it was simply co-incidental.
Any help with locating his will would be wonderful.
Thanks in advance
Sam

[Angelaj]

Hi,
Have you tried contacting Durham Records Office? Googling 'Gateshead history' gets quite a few hits that could be useful.British History Online has quite good coverage of the history of the area.

[samgibbons56]

Hi,
Have you tried contacting Durham Records Office? Googling 'Gateshead history' gets quite a few hits that could be useful.British History Online has quite good coverage of the history of the area.

Thanks Angelaj,
I'll have a look for that, maybe it'll shed some light.
Sam

[Henry451]

Hello Sam,
I can't help you with your query but you may be able to help with mine.
In 1952 Francis Plummer donated a stained glass window to St. Mary's Parish Church in Thormanby; "to commemorate the close connection of his family with Thormanby Church for the last three centuries". It is a three light window; in the centre light is a monk with a halo who may be St. Cuthbert, in the left light is the coat of arms of the Caley family, and in the right light is the coat of arms of the Dagnia family. The Caley family were granted their baronetcy in 1661 when Sir William Caley was rewarded for Royalist services in the Civil War. The Dagnia family came from Venice to South Shields in 1684 and started a glass-making business. So far I have been unable to find the connection between Francis Plummer and these two families; if you could shed light here I would be grateful.
Best wishes,
Henry451
(P.S. I know there was an inventor called Plummer living in Newcastle in the mid 19th century; he designed machinery for processing flax)

[samgibbons56]

Hi Henry,
Sorry for delay in replying to your message.
I have seen a photo of the window at Thormanby, but so far have found no connection to the families you mention.
The early records from Thormanby show the family there around the 1660's but I have not seen any marriage connections during my searches.
Sorry I can't be more help.
Regards
Sam