The 18th Century
George Platt
George was born around 1700 - 1743 and was the father of John Platt. He was an architect and builder in his own right and worked on Cusworth Hall. He was described as "a man of great abilities in his profession and strictest integrity in his dealings".
Joseph Foljambe
On 7th November 1730 Joseph (of Eastwood) patented his invention, the Rotherham Plough. This was to become the standard plough of Britain for the next 180 years or more, until the horse was superceded by the tractor.
Jonathan Smith
Jonathan (of Ravenfield) was a millwright. 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
Samuel was born at Hilltop in Ecclesfield on 15th November 1715 and died on 12th May 1782.
In 1746 he leased land at the Holmes from the Earl of Effingham. This was the beginning of one of the largest iron and steel businesses of its day in Europe.
William Fenton
William was born sometime around 1719 and died in 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
Elizabeth was probably born in Swinton and ran 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
John was born in Rotherham in 1715 and died on 15th February 1780.
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
John was born in York in 1723 and died in 1807.
He was a well known architect. Many of the buildings he designed are in Yorkshire and 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
John was born in Thrybergh on 9th March 1728 and died in 1810.
He was an architect and mason and worked on several important buildings in Rotherham: Clifton House, Feoffees School, Aston, Thundercliffe, Ferham House and Wentworth Castle.
John Brameld
John was probably born in Swinton on 24th June 1741 and died on 12th June 1819.
He served his apprenticeship at Swinton Pottery in the time of Edward and Elizabeth Butler and took over the pottery in 1806. This ensured its continuation as a pot factory.
Cast Iron Industry
From 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
Thomas, who was the 3rd Earl of Effingham, was born on 13th January 1746 and died on 15th November 1791.
He built Boston Castle to commemorate the 'Boston Tea Party' of 16th December 1773. He resigned his commission in the army rather than fight in an unjust war with the American colonists.
Tom Paine
Tom was born in Thetford and lived between 1737 - 1809.
He was an important political thinker and writer and 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. 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
Charles was born on 13th May 1730 and died on 1st July 1782. He was the 2nd Marquis of Rockingham and lived at Wentworth Woodhouse. He was leader of the Whigs, and Prime Minister twice - once in 1765 and again 1782.
Edmund Burke
Edmund was born in Dublin and lived between 1729 - 1797. 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
It was built in 1773 - 1780 and 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
John was born in York and lived between 1755 and 1826.
He was a sculptor and was a student of the Royal Academy, and later the first Professor of Sculpture there. He worked for Wedgwood. A sculpture of his can be found in All Saints Church - a memorial to Samuel Buck.