Gilbert Platt

• BIRTH 1620 England
• DEATH May 1692 (aged 71–72) Henrico County, Virginia, USA
• BURIAL Burial Details Unknown
• MEMORIAL ID 193297398

Gilbert Platt was born in England about 1620. Elizabeth Parker, a widow, brought him to Virginia before 1635 to work as a servant. He may have remained in a low capacity for forty years until 1677 when he married the well-to-do widow, Mary Tanner. Gilbert became the guardian of the four Tanner children on 20 August 1677. Mary had an Indian girl named Moll when she got married and gave her to her son-in-law William Ligon [1760] in April 1679. [5]

Based on an account in the Henrico County records, the marriage of Mary Browne (Tanner) and Gilbert Platt appears to have been unsatisfactory for both. First Gilbert and Mary were in court 'at variance... over a portion of Gilbert’s own estate which by deed... [he] had made over to her.' Then Gilbert had a run-in with Mary’s eldest son, Joseph, who threw some sticks in his direction. When Gilbert brought the matter to his wife’s attention, she promptly called him a liar. She explained that she had raised her children properly and none could ever be guilty of that conduct. Joseph, overhearing the accusations, charged Gilbert of slandering him and knocked Gilbert out with a 'tobacco stick'. The matter went back to the courts. On 28 March 1681, Gilbert resigned his rights to the plantation and left the presence of his wife and her children for good. [6]

When Gilbert Platt died in Henrico County in the spring of 1692 (will dated 10 April 1692 , proved 1 June 1692), he left his property to Tabitha Osborne, and her husband, Edward Osborne Sr. because they cared for him when he was sick. To Mary Browne (Tanner) Platt, he left one shilling. Some have concluded that Tabitha Osborne was Gilbert’s daughter, by a previous marriage. Yet others believe Platt was simply expressing his appreciation for their kindness. [7]

Parents
Richard Platt & Mary

Spouse

1. Mary (unknown) Tanner Platt unknown–1700

Children

1. Tabitha Platt Osborne 1660–1692 m. Edward Osborne III 1646-1697

References

• [1] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/193297398/gilbert-platt
• [2] Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Oct 10 2018, 2:38:46 UTC
• [3] http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=lynxlady8... (dead link)
• [4] Ancestry tree

Sources

[5 Henrico county, VA Deeds and Wills 1677-1692, p.87
[6] Henrico county, VA Deeds and Wills 1677-1692, p.142
[7] Oct08lynxlady80.GED