About Michael Plaster 1728
Michael Plaster was born about 1728 in Franklin co, VA.
He died about 1803 in Franklin Co. VA.
Michael married Tamar Houston on 22 Nov 1756 in Wilmington, Delaware.
The Plaster surname is Anglicized from the German name "Platsher". German derivations of the name includ Pflaster, Pflasteerer, Plaesterer, etc. It is speculated that Plasters originally founded in Paris (as in Plaster of Paris) where they started a craftman commune or syndicate specializing in plaster arts crafts, such as ceilings and walls. This was in about the 9th century in the Kingdom of Normandy in France before France had a 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 or Abraham. Michaael to Virginia, Henry and Conrad to Pennsylvania, and Abraham to North Carolina.
Michael Plaster here was born before 1728 and came to Chester County, PA from Germany, perhaps through Amsterdam.
Michael arrived at Port Philadelphia, PA Sept 21 1742 at age 14 under the name Michael Platscher with an omlaut over the "a". He arrived aboard the ship "Francis and Elizabeth" with George North, the Master from Rotterdam, last from Deal, England.
Marriage records of Holy Trinity (Old Sweden) Church in Wilmington Del shows Michael marrying Tamar (or Thamar) Hewston (Houston)...not clear. Other records from family do show that he married an "English Lady" (no name).
There has also been an asserted family connection between Michael Plaster's wife, Tamar Houston and Sam Houston.
Chester County tax list from 1765 to 1769 list Michael Plaster as owning various person property.
However, in 1769 the list show Michael as an inmate with no property.
The 1769 lists later shows Michael owning 100 acres of land, 2 horses, 2 cows, and 3 sheep.
Michael is not listed in the 1771 Chester Co, PA Tax List.
In 1788 Michael was listed in Henry Co, VA document where he renounced allegiance to Great Britain and swore allegiance to the Commonwealth of Virginia.
In 1785 Michael signed the Petition of Residens of Bedford and Henry Counties opposed to the formation of a new county of 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 their residence.
Note: Family lore has it that the Plaster were in Wales prior to entering the United States.
Tamar Houston and Michael Plaster had three children: John Plaster born 1756 and died 1820; Henry Plaster Sr born 7 Feb 1760 and died 12 Oct 1852 and Mary Plaster.
Also, from another source:
The Plasters 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 synidicate specializingin 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 or 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 Plasters line is Michael Platscher born before 1728, who came to Chester County, PA, from Germany (perhaps through Amsterdam in 1742). Michael Plaster with a or umlaut over the "a" indicating a long "a" as in the word plate.