The 18th Century

George Platt

1700 - 1743

He was the father of John Platt. George was an architect and builder in his own right. He worked on Cusworth Hall. He was described as "a man of great abilities in his profession and strictest integrity in his dealings".

Joseph Foljambe

of Eastwood

On 7th November 1730 patented his invention, the Rotherham Plough. This was to become the standard plough of Britain for the next 180 years or so, until the horse was superceded by the tractor.

Jonathan Smith

of Ravenfield

He was a millwright in the 18th century. In 1741 he bought a share in the Lowwood Colliery. He was described as "...having a peculiar Talent in making Machines for mines..."

Samuel Walker 15th November 1715 - 12th May 1782 Born at Hilltop in Ecclesfield In 1746 Samuel Walker leased land at the Holmes from the Earl of Effingham. This was the beginning of one of the largest iron and steel businesses in the Europe of its day.

William Fenton

1719? - 1774

In 1758, with his brother Thomas he took out a lease on the Bassingthorpe Colliery (later this was the Greasbrough Colliery). An early waggonway was built from the pit to the Don Navigation near Eastwood Lock.

Swinton Pottery

1745 - 1842

The early earthenware factory came under the ownership of the Brameld family and patronage of the 2nd Earl Fitzwilliam in 1806 and became The Rockingham Works, makers of the world famous Rockingham porcelain.

Elizabeth Butler

Probably born in Swinton

She ran the Swinton Pottery from 1755 with her husband Edward. When he died she took over the management of the business which she sold to William Malpass in 1765.

John Cutforthay

1715 -15th February 1780

Born in Rotherham

He was probably the town's "greatest" burgess: at 6 feet 3 inches tall and 40 stones in weight. He was an agile and athletic man in spite of his size. He was a surgeon and wine merchant. His gravestone is in the parish church.

John Carr

1723 - 1807

Born in York

He was a well known architect. Many of the buildings he designed are in Yorkshire. He was the architect on three Rotherham houses: Clifton House, Aston Hall and Eastwood House. He worked with John Platt. He was also Surveyor of Bridges.

John Platt

9th March 1728 - 1810

Born in Thrybergh

He was an architect and mason. He worked on several important buildings in Rotherham: Clifton House, Feoffees School, Aston, Thundercliffe, Ferham House, Wentworth Castle....

John Brameld

24th June 1741 - 12th June 1819

Probably born in Swinton

He served his apprenticeship at the Swinton pottery in the time of Edward & Elizabeth Butler. He took over the pottery in 1806. This ensured its continuation as a pot factory.

Cast Iron Industry

1746 to mid 20th century Rotherham cast iron was internationally famous. Stove grates, kitchen ranges and decorative castings were produced by many different foundries.

Thomas Howard

3rd Earl of Effingham

13.1.1746 - 15.11.1791

Built Boston Castle to commemorate the 'Boston Tea Party' of 16.12.1773. He resigned his commission in the army rather than fight in an unjust war with the American colonists.

Tom Paine 1737 - 1809 Born in Thetford He was an important political thinker and writer. He fought with the American colonists against the British. After the War he worked at the Walker Ironworks designing bridges.

Iron Bridges

These were one of the large scale products of the iron and engineering works in the town. The Walkers built several iron bridges. This is what brought Tom Paine to the town. These stamps show the bridge in Spanish Town, Jamaica. Built in 1801 it must be one of the first iron structures in the New World

Charles Watson-Wentworth 13th May 1730 - 1st July 1782 The 2nd Marquis of Rockingham lived at Wentworth Woodhouse. He was leader of the Whigs, and Prime Minister twice - once in 1765 and again 1782.

Edmund Burke

1729 - 1797

Born in Dublin

A writer - "he ranks as one of the foremost political thinkers of England". In 1765 he was private secretary to Charles, Marquis of Rockingham, so he spent much of his time at Wentworth Woodhouse.

Keppel's Column built 1773 - 1780 It was was to have been a 50m high folly but was altered to 34m. It was dedicated to Admiral Keppel after he was acquitted at his court marshall. The monument was paid for by Keppel's great friend the Marquis of Rockingham.

John Flaxman

1755 - 1826

Born in York

John was a sculptor. He was a student of the Royal Academy, and later the first Professor of Sculpture there. He worked for Wedgwood. A sculpture of his is in All Saints Church - a memorial to Samuel Buck