sumpter

plural sumpters

1. historicalThe driver of a packhorse.

   Persuade me rather to be slave and sumpter / To this detested groom.

   c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii]

2. historicalA packhorse; a beast of burden.

   the ancient vse of somers and sumpter horsses is in maner vtterlie relinquished

   1577, Raphaell Holinshed, The Firste Volume of the Chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irelande […], volume I, London: […] [Henry Bynneman] for Iohn Harrison, →OCLC

   1 more example

   The Bishop of Orange was watching carefully as men stored his papers in a cart, the King's steward and Despenser's bottler were stalking about among the wagons and sumpter horses ensuring that all was packed, while clerks of the various departments of state were hurrying about, squeaking at men who looked as though they might drop a chest or misstore a box in the wrong wagon, and generally getting in the way of everyone else while making themselves thoroughly miserable at the same time.

   2008, Michael Jecks, The Prophecy of Death

3. obsoleteA pack; a burden.

   You should have had a Sumpter , tho' 'thad cost me The laying on myself

   1626 February 13 (licensing date; Gregorian calendar), Francis Beaumont, John Fletcher, “The Noble Gentleman”, in Comedies and Tragedies […], London: […] Humphrey Robinson, […], and for Humphrey Moseley […], published 1647, →OCLC, Act V, scene i

plural Sumpters

1. countableuncountableA surname originating as an occupation.
2. A number of places in the United States:
   1. countableuncountableAn unincorporated community in Bradley County, Arkansas.
   2. countableuncountableA township in Cumberland County, Illinois.
   3. countableuncountableA township in Wayne County, Michigan.
   4. countableuncountableA minor city in Baker County, Oregon.
   5. countableuncountableA ghost town in Trinity County, Texas.
   6. countableuncountableA town in Sauk County, Wisconsin.