People of Note
George Platt (1700-1743)
George PLATT, architect and designer, was born in Lyme Park, Cheshire, son of Edmund and Alice Platt.
He left Lyme Park and settled in Rotherham where in 1727 he married at Conisbrough to Elizabeth HICKARD. They lived at the
Red House in Woodlaithes. His most noted work was the designing and building of Cusworth Hall for William Wrightson, MP in
1740-1741. George died of TB in 1743 and was buried in the Rotherham churchyard. His widow, with the help of son
John, carried on the business until John was of age.
Children of George PLATT and Elizabeth (Nee HICKARD):
- b.1728 John at Conisbro m. Anne Fitzgerald
- b.1737 Jane Rotherham
- b.1739 George Rotherham
- b.1741 Edmund Rotherham
John PLATT (1728-1810)
John PLATT had a very successful career as a builder, architect and mason. He was involved with the black marble quarries in Ashford near Bakewell, Derbyshire and those of grey marble at Richow Dale near Monyash. In 1765 he founded pottery works, which he later sold to his partner, iron master Samuel Walker. Platt was involved in masonry work at Wentworth Castle, Wentworth Woodhouse, Aston Hall and Clifton Hall.
In 1757 John had married, in Doncaster, Anne Fitzgerald, the illegitimate daughter of a member of the Buck family of Rotherham. They had 10 children, born at Rotherham:
- b.1759 Elizabeth
- b.1761 George
- (1763-1832) John joined the Navy, m. Mary Clarke of Hellaby Hall
- b.1765 Edmund
- b.1768 Ann
- b.1770 Thomas
- (1770-1817) Charles joined the Army and fought in the Napoleonic Wars
- b.1772 Jane
- (1775-1811) William became an engraver, lost his sight, committed suicide
- (1779-1850) George Edmund joined the Army and fought in the Peninsular War
The father, John Platt died at Halifax in 1810 and was buried in the Rotherham churchyard.
The Platts were involved in work at various buildings in and close to Rotherham:
- Wortley Hall from about 1749 to 1789
- Thunderclife Grange
- Clough House for Coal owner John Hirst
- Moorgate Hall - for Samuel Tooker
- Canklow House - for J. Taylor
- House on Westgate, Rotherham - Dr. James Wilkinson
- Ferham House, Rotherham - marble staircase for Jonathan Walker
- House on Westgate, Rotherham - for himself
- Feoffees' Charity School and House, Crofts
- The Market House, Rotherham
- Rotherham Brewery (later Mappins)
