A Poster of Performance & A Brief History

A Brief History

Bap. 1811-1837

Bethesda Chapel, Leigh

28 Aug 1827

Edward, son of Edward and Ann (PLIMBER crossed out) PLIMMER of Westleigh, coal miner

IGI has this entry as PLIMMAN at Bethesda Independent, Leigh

1841, Harrison Fold, Bedford, Lancashire

Edward Plimmer 40 coal miner

Ann Plimmer 50

Ann Plimmer 15 silk weaver

Edward Plimmer 10

Ann Lythgoe 20 silk weaver

All born Lancashire

1851, Wallgate Street, Wigan

CUNLIFFE household

Edward Plimmer visitor unm 23 musician b. Westleigh

1853 newspaper cuttings find him located in Dublin, Ireland as a soloist on the concertina and accordion

1854 finds him still in Dublin, Ireland assisting with “the first appearance of the only Company of real Sable Harmonists in Europe…from the rice and cotton fields of South America…commanded to perform before her Majesty…1851”

m. 1855, Edward PLIMMER (Edward {of Salop} + Ann)

to Anna BEXFIELD (Thomas + Anna) Liverpool (sister of Prof. William Richard BEXFIELD, composer)

b. 1856, Anna Elizabeth PLIMMER (Edward + Anna) Strand (his daughter and only child)

1857 finds him in London were he may have met Howard ORMOND to create the “The British Minstrels” in 1858, along with his wife Anna

1859 sees them return to Dublin, Ireland and then back to London and Wilton’s Music Hall

1861, ? Lane, Chatham, Kent

GARDENER? Household

Edward PLIMMER lodger 35 musician b. Leigh

Anna PLIMMER wife 38 vocalist b. Norwich

Anna E. PLIMMER dau 4 b. London

By 1861 they appear based in Manchester and in 1862 they appear in Birmingham with “their burlesque opera and instrumental entertainments”

In 1862 they also appear to part company with Howard ORMOND, as it was announced that on the 10th November of that year, Mr E. PLIMMER and Company would introduce their daughter “Infant Anna” to the public; they remain quite active on the circuit until about 1866

1871, Frederick St, Plymouth

GILBERT household

Edward PLIMMER visitor marr 43 musician b. Westhoughton

1871 Alfred St, Preston

SEDDON household

Anna PLIMMER lodger marr ** professional musician’s wife b. Norwich

Anna E. PLIMMER dau 14 scholar b. London

I don’t find very much on Edward in the 1870s, it appears it is his wife and daughter that are doing the most performances at this time and appearing in the press

Sent via email from the late Mr Newman (had a website on performers):

Era Almanac 1879,

PLIMMER, Edward. Negro Artist aged 50 d. March 29th (1878)

Death certificate:

29th March 1878, 64 Seel Street, St George, Liverpool. Edward PLIMMER, male, 50yrs, musician. Anna PLIMMER, widow of deceased, (present) of same address.

cause: phthisis & dropsy – certified