In April 1767, Jonathan Plowman was part of a mission of mercy. French citizens living in the town of Fredrick town and having been neutral during the French and Indian War now found themselves persecuted by their British neighbors. The 200 men, women and mostly children wanted to leave for French settlements on the Mississippi River. They did not have the means to pay for the trip. The ships "Virgin" and "Pocomoke" owned by Jonathan Plowman and Peter Hulbert were used on the voyage to transport the 200 passengers and baggage. The voyage was publicly funded as a mission of mercy. The text does not identify which ship belonged to Jonathan Plowman and which to Peter Hulbert.