William Plaskett Jr. — The Plaskett Family

William Plaskett Jr., son of William Plaskett (d. 1748) and Margaret Lucas Plaskett, born in Trenton, NJ between 1735-1748. Occupation: tailor.

Married Elizabeth [surname unknown] before March 1775. The Chesterfield Monthly Meeting of Friends noted in March 1775 that “William Plascot hath married and neglects to make satisfaction.” In September 1775 he was disowned for “training and bearing arms” (Revolutionary War service), “marrying contrary thereto and not one of our society.”

REVOLUTIONARY WAR SERVICE: Per his son’s 1845 letter to Draper, William participated in the Battle of Monmouth but “was not in Trenton when that place was attacked.” He served in the Artillery Company of Hunterdon - election records from 1780 list him as clerk alongside Wm Robinson (who married his niece).

On 9 July 1779, “William Plaskett, taylor, of Trenton, Hunterdon Co., heir of William Plaskett deceased, and his wife Elizabeth” sold property to Captain Joseph Clunn for £2000.

LEFT TRENTON November 1789. Family spent 18 months in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, where they “raised a crop of corn and built a boat to descend the rivers.”

OHIO RIVER VOYAGE: 18 March 1791 - Departed with wife Elizabeth, six children (one born in PA), Daniel Light (neighbor), and William Hubbell. Picked up passengers including Capt. John Ray, John Stoner, and Mr. Tucker (Methodist preacher) bound for Limestone, KY.

23 March 1791 - Attacked by Shawnee Indians in three pirogues near Scioto River. Captain Greathouse’s accompanying boat was captured; all killed or taken captive. Plaskett’s boat fought off attack. Wounded: Daniel Light, German passenger, Tucker (died that day), John Stoner (died 2 days later), son Joseph. Francis Kirkpatrick killed. They reached Columbia, Ohio safely.

Received land deed from John Cleves Symmes, 15 August 1795, for half section in third township east of Great Miami River, Hamilton County, Ohio.

DEATH: William and son Joseph drowned during hunting trip, before 27 October 1796 when widow Elizabeth filed estate bond.