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 Paris (as in Plaster of Paris) where they started a craftsman commune or syndicate specializing in plaster art craft, 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 or four brothers, Michael, Henry, Conrad and/or Abraham. Michael went to Virginia, Henry and Conrad to Pennsylvania, and Abraham to North Carolina.

The father of our Plaster line is Micael Platscher, born before 1728, who came to Chester County, Penn from Germany - perhaps through Amsterdam in 1742. Michael arrived at Port Philadelphia, PA on Sept 21, 1742 at age 14 under the name of Michel Platscher (with an umlaut over the "a" indicating a long "a" sound) He arrived aboard the ship "Francis and Elizabeth" with George North, Master from Rotterdam, last from Deal, England.

Marriage records of Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church in Wilmington, Delaware shows Michael marrying Thamar Hewston (or Tamar Houston).  The original records are in Swedish. Michael and Tamar Houston had three children.  There has also been an asserted family connection between Michael Plaster's wife Tamar Houston was the niece of Sam Houston, General of Texas though records are not clear about this.

Chester County tax lists from 1765 to 1769 lists Michael Plaster as owning various personal property.

The 1766 list states that Michael was an "inmate" with no property however this is not proved.

The 1769 lists shows Michael as owning 100 acres of land, 2 horses, 2 cows, and 3 sheep.

Michael is not listed in the 1771 Chester County, Penn Tax list.

In 1788 Michael was listed in a Henry County Virginia document where he renounced allegiance to Great Britain and swore allegigance to the Commonwealth of Virginia.

In 1785 Michael signed the Petition of Residense of Bedford and Henry Counties opposed to the formation of a new county, Franklin.

The 1787 tax list for Franklin County (formerly Henry County) indicated that he and his second wife, Charity Williams, owned 3 horses and 8 cows. There was also one white male age 16-21 years at their residence.  Family lore has it that the Plasters were from Wales prior to entering the United States.

Tamar Houston married Michael Plaster on 22 Nov 1756 in Wilmington, Delaware.

Their children were:

• John Plaster born 1756 and died 1820
• Henry Plaster Sr born 7 Feb 1760 and died 12 Oct 1852
• Mary Plaster - no birth or death date.

Source: http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/13956133/person/26175337/mediax/1?pgnum=1