James M. Palmer

Biographical Data

Places of Residence

• Walker-Palmer House in Hillsborough, NC, between 1846 and July 30, 1865 [1].
• Wayne County, NC, from July 30, 1865 [1].

Occupations

• Hillsborough Town Commissioner, from 1835. James M. Palmer was popular and well-liked in the Hillsborough community. He was chosen as a Town Commissioner in 1835 and held various positions of trust [1].
• Newspaper publisher, from 1843. James M. Palmer seemed to have a talent for losing money in ill-started ventures. One of these, a newspaper scheme, started in 1843 when he announced plans to publish an area newspaper called the Orange Democrat. After 250 subscribers were secured, no record of the newspaper ever appeared [1].
• Postmaster, between August 27, 1853 and September 16, 1857 [1].
• Mayor, between May 1, 1856 and June 2, 1857 [1].

Relatives

• Parent: Mary A. Palmer (d. 1840) [1]. Interestingly, her tombstone in St. Matthew's Churchyard bears only one line,  "Mother of J.M. Palmer."
• Spouse: Sophia Lutterloh [1]. They had one daughter, Eliza Palmer  [1].
• Siblings: two brothers, Nathaniel J. Palmer (d. 1854) [1] and [unknown] Palmer.
• Other: Charles Lutterloh (father-in-law) [1].

References

1. Mary Claire Engstrom. The Book of Burwell Students: Lives of Educated Women in the Antebellum South. (Hillsborough: Hillsborough Historic Commission, 2007).