Rufford Abbey and its Gardens in the 17th and 18th Centuries

Patrician Landscapes and the Picturesque in Nottinghamshire c.1750–c.1850

“…His son, another George, purchased land in adjacent areas -Ollerton, Boughton, Kirton and Egmanton being purchased from the Markham family for £22,000 during the mid-1740s -and enclosed a large quantity of common land, which was used to cultivate new crops (notably hops). 37 In 1758, John Platt of Rotherham was employed to landscape the park to the east and south of the house, including the provision of a lake with islands and a boat house on the west bank. The lake was dammed at the north end of the estate stream in order to power the estate's corn mill.…”