The 17th Century

Glass Industry

Glass making in Rotherham probably dates back to the Roman Fort at Templeborough. Industrial glass making began in the 17th century. The Catcliffe glass cone was built in about 1740 and is an important memorial to the early glass workers. Beatson Clark's has a history back to 1783.

Robert Sanderson

Robert was born at Guilthwaite Hall on 19th September 1587 and died in 1663.

He was educated at Rotherham Grammar school and was Professor of Divinity at Oxford. In 1631 he was Chaplain to Charles I. He became Bishop of Lincoln in 1660. He wrote the 2nd preface to the Prayer Book.

Thomas Wentworth

Thomas was  born in London in 1593 and died in 1641.

In 1632 he was the despotic lord deputy of Ireland. Later he was Charles I's chief adviser, Earl of Strafford, and Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland. Abandoned by Charles, he was beheaded, and secretly buried on the family estate at Wentworth.

John Shaw

John was born in Bradfield on 23rd June 1608 and died on 19th April 1672.

He was a student at Cambridge at the same time as John Milton. He was a Puritan and in 1639, became Vicar of Rotherham. During the Civil War he was an influential religious thinker for Parliament.

Richard Mounteney

Richard was born in Rotherham and died in 1669.

He was a barrister and conveyancer. In 1627 he was living in the best private house in Rotherham. He took sides with Charles I during the Civil War. He was in action in Rotherham and Tickhill.

Luke Clayton

Luke was born in Rotherham and died on 15th June 1674.

He was the Vicar of Rotherham from 1644 to 1662. He had supported Parliament during the Civil War, and lost his job on the Restoration. He took action against poverty and tried to encourage trade in the town.

Thomas Osborne

Thomas was raised in Kiveton Park and lived from 1631-1712.  He was the first Duke of Leeds.

In 1673 he was Lord High Treasurer and Prime Minister. He was one of the seven men who invited William of Orange to take the English crown in 1688.

William Aislabie

William was born in Rotherham and lived from 1653 - 1731.

He was a solicitor. He attended the Committee of Parliament which was dealing with the improvement of the Don Navigation. He was nicknamed "Great Nose" according to J.H. Cockburn.

Thomas Hollis

Thomas was born in Rotherham in September 1634 and died on 4th September 1718.

He paid for the Hollis Chapel schools in Rotherham and Sheffield. His son, of the same name, founded professorships at Harvard College, Boston, New England.