Memoir of Grandson, mentions Michael Plaster
This letter was found in family documents and submitted to the Clark County Herald on 31 Oct 1882. It was written by James Plasters on 21 Sept 1881 in Marshall, Illinois.
I, James Plasters, wish to leave to my family an account of my ancestors. My grandfather on my father's side, Michael Plasters, was a native of Germany, being born on the River Rhine, and was called "High Dutch". He immigrated to the colonies of North America about the 1st of the year 1730 and settled in what is now known as Chester County, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. He married an English lady (note: marrried twice: Tamar Houston and then Charity Williams). My father (Henry Plaster) was born in the year 1760. In the year of 1770, my grandfather moved to Loudoun County, Virginia. At the age of 16, my father Henry Plaster, entered the army and was present and assisted in the capture of the Hessians at Trenton, New Jersey. He served in the Revolutionary Army four years. I was born June 3, 1791, and I served in the War of 1812. I witnessed the burning of the capitol by the British and was at Fort McHenry at the time it was bombarded by the British Fleet. I was married to Hannah Masey, Dec 3, 1815, in Loudoun County, Virginia, and raised a family of three sons and four daughters. We moved from Loudoun County, Virginia, to Clark County, Illinois, in the month of April 1831. In the month of August 1832, at a camp meeting held by the Cumberland Presbyterians on Big Creek, I converted and embraced religion and became a member of that denomination. Being dissatisfied with their confessions of faith, I severed my connection with said sect by letter on Christmas following day and united with the Methodisst Church at Livingston and have remained a member thereof until the present time. Was an active member of said church for thirty years, in several capacities of steward, class leader and trustee and was for a time superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sabbath School, at Livingston. And now I am calmly awaiting the summons of my master, to depart for the better world. NOTE: The deceased in his personal history, neglected to chronicle his marriage, August 2, 1876 to Mrs. Mary A Ballew, who survived him. The following of the children were still living at the time of this letter: William Plasters, resided in Missouri, aged 64 years at the time; Henry Plasters, Marshall, Illinois; Samuel Plasters, Washington Territory; Mrs. T.A. Catron in Champaign County, Illinois. The remains of James Plasters were buried at the Livingston Cemetery on Friday. Rev. McCanna nd McIntyre officiating and Isaac Wilkin, Daniel Linn, Valentine King, William B Smith, William Lockard and Robert McFarland acting as pallbearers.
Another, updated version:
The story told from James Plasters, grandson of Michael Plasters submitted to Clark County Herald on 10.31.1882.
I, James Plasters wish to leave to my family an accounty of my grandfather on my fathers side, Michael Plasters, a native of Germany. He was born near the River Rhine and was called "High Dutch". He imigrated to the colonies of North America about the 1st of the year 1730 and settled in what is now known as Chester County, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. He married an English lady first.
My father Henry Plasters was born in the year 1760. In the year of 1770 my grandfather moved to Loudoun County, Virginia. At the age of 16 my father Henry Plasters enter the Revolutionary Army and was present and assisted in the capture of the Hessians at Trenton, New Jersey. He served in the Revolutionary Army for four years.
I was born June 3, 1791 and later I served in the war of 1812. I witnessed the burning of the capital in Washington D.C. by the British and was at Fort McHenry at the time it was bombarded by the British Fleet. I was married to Hannah Masey, 12.3.1815 from Loudoun County, Virginia. We moved to Clark County, Illinios in the month of April 1831. In the month of August 1832, at a camp meeting held by the Cumberland Presbyterians on Big Creek, I converted and embraced religion and became a member of that denomination. Being dissatisfied with their confessions of faith, I later severed my connection with said sect by letter on Christmas and united with the Methodist Church at Livingston and have remained a member thereof until the present time. I was an active member of said church for thurty years and in several capacities of steward, class leader and trustee and was for a time superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sabbath School at Livingston. And now I am calmy awaiting the summons of my master to depart for the better world.
A note added by his family after is passing:
James Plasters passed away in 1882. The deceased in his personal history neglected to chronicle his marriage on 10.2.1876 to Mary A Ballew, who survived him. The following chidren were living at the time of this letter.
William Plasters who resided in Missouri
Henry Plasters of Marshall Illinios
Samuel Plasters of Washington Territory
Mrs TA Catron in Champaign County Illinios
James Plasters was buried at the Livingston Cemetery on Friday the Rev. McCanna and McIntyre officated.