Jonathan1 Platts was a cousin of Samuel Platts and "son of a Godly father, member of a Congregational Church in England, had by his wife (a woman of good conversation & well esteemed, yet not a member-in-full-communion), children whom he desired might be baptized," 19 Dec., 1667 (Ch. R.). He married, 6 Dec., 1655, Elizabeth Johnson, sister of Capt. John Johnson. She was mentioned in the will of Thomas Barker and called "cousin" in the will of Gershom Lambert. She had been one of Mr. Rogers' maids and probably she was under age at the time Jonathan began his courtship, as in Mar., 1655, "Jonathan Platts indevoring to draw awaye the afections of mr his mayd is Judged to haue broke the Law and is fined 5li" (Ct. R.). It is not improbable Mr. Rogers had this case in mind when he wrote, in 1657, to his friend Rev. Zechariah Symms of Charlestown: "Much ado I have with my own family; hard to get a servant that is glad of catechising, for family duties. I had a rare blessing of servants in Yorkshire; and those I brought over were a blessing; but the young brood doth much afflict me." The name Jonathan Platts first appears on Rowley Record, 21 Apr., 1653, as keeper of the cows at the east end of the town. His signature appears on Rowley Record under date of 1655. He was buried 18 (?) July, 1680. His will, dated 24 July, 1680, proved 28 Sept., 1680, mentions wife (unnamed), sons John and Jonathan; the "rest of my children"; and "Cusen Samewell Plats, sener" (Essex Probate, 22100; Essex Deeds, 4 Ips.: 367). His widow, Elizabeth, died 16 Nov., 1721.
