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The Dead and Beautiful Rest (Cont.): Platypus Travels Part LXVII

Henry E. Plumb (1824-1906) was a citizen of Monroe Connecticut and inventor of a new hay elevator and carrier.  This isn't surprising since the 1880 census records his occupation as "Farmer".  The witness to his patent, David Wells, is buried in the same cemetery (East Village Cemetery).  There is an interesting significance here to be teased out since the businessman who endowed the local library was named David Wells Plumb (1808-1892).  David Wells Plumb's mother was Urania Wells (1784-1862).  Given the location and the names, there must be some connection between Henry E. Plumb the farmer who ended up wealthy enough to afford a set of rather elaborate tombstones for himself and his second wife (his first wife, Catherine Elijah d. 1854 aged 29 years, is also buried elsewhere in the cemetery) and David Wells Plumb. the businessman whose dream it was for Shelton to have its own public library.  I haven't been able to find it so far, but if you discover it, please let me know.

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