Michael PLASTER

  General Notes:

Will recorded Franklin Co. 12/5/1803.

The Plaster surname is Anglicized from the German name "Platsher". German derivations of the name include Pflaster, Pflasterer, Plaesterer, etc. It is speculated that Plasters originally founded in Plaris (as in Plaster of Paris) where they started a craftsman commune or syndicate specializing in plaster art crafts, such as ceilings and walls. This was in about the 9th century in the Kingdom of Normandy in France before France had a single king. This skill gave them the ability to travel and make a good living as artisans. Thus, Plasters are found in other areas of Europe, such as England, Italy and Germany. Most Plasters in the United States derive from the German Plasters, most believe to have been three of four brothers, Michael, Henry, Conrad and or Abraham. Michael to Virginia, Henry and Conrad to Pennsylvania, and Abraham to North Carolina. The father of our Plaster line is Michel Platscher, born before 1728, who came to Chester County, PA, from Germany (perhaps through Amsterdam in 1742). Michel arrived at Port Philadelphia, PA, on September 21, 1742 (age 14+) under the name Michel Platscher (with a.. or umlaut over the “a” indicating a long "a" as in plate. He arrived aboard the ship Francis and Elizabeth, George North, Master from Rotterdam, last from Deal, England. Marriage records of Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church in Wilmington, DE, shows Michel marrying Thamar Hewston, original records in Swedish. Michel and Tamar Houston had three children. There has also been an asserted family connection between Michael Plastcher's first wife, Tamar Houston and Sam Houston. Chester Co. tax list from 1765 to 1769 lists Michel Plaster as owning various personal property. The 1766 list states that Michel was an "inmate" with no property. The 1769 lists Michel as owning 100 acres of land, 2 horses, 2 cows, and 3 sheep. Michel is not listed in the 1771 Chester Co., PA Tax List. In 1788, Michel was listed in a Henry Co., VA document where he renounced allegiance to Great Britain and swore allegiance to the Commonwealth of Virginia. In 1785 Michel signed the Petition of Residens of Bedford and Henry Counties opposed to the formation of a new county, Franklin. The 1787 tax list for Franklin Co. (formerly Henry Co.)indicated that he and his second wife, Charity, owned three horses and 8 cows. There was also one white male age 16-21 years in residence. Michael PLASTER and Thamer HEWSTON were married on 22 Nov 1756 in Holy Trinity Church, Wilmington, Delaware.

Michael married Thamer HEWSTON, daughter of John HOUSTON and Unknown, on 22 Nov 1756 in Holy Trinity Church, Wilmington, Delaware. (Thamer HEWSTON was born in 1732 in England.)