Sheffield knife firm died out after owner retired

The gatepost with the number 37 affixed to it can be seen on Victoria Road, Broomhall.
The gatepost of number 37 Victoria Road, BroomhallThe gatepost of number 37 Victoria Road, Broomhall
The gatepost of number 37 Victoria Road, Broomhall

In 1876, it was the home of Edmund Priestman.

He was born in Sutton, Yorkshire in 1852.He was the son of an owner of land and houses, so it is fair to say he was already well off to be living in the Victoria Road property.

William Singleton, Edmund’s partner, was born and bred in the town. His father was a tailor.

37 Victoria Road, Broomhall37 Victoria Road, Broomhall
37 Victoria Road, Broomhall
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In the 1841 census William Singleton was living on Jehu Lane along with his family, parents Samuel and Jane, both aged 35, brothers Henry, 12, 10-year-old John, Samuel junior, five and three-year-old Thomas, and sister Ann, aged one.

Sadly, Jane died on June 17, 1844, aged just 38, when William was 14.

The loss of a wife and mother was a great sorrow in the family especially for the children.

William may have already been working when he lost his mother.

The Albert Works on Sidney Street, Sheffield city centreThe Albert Works on Sidney Street, Sheffield city centre
The Albert Works on Sidney Street, Sheffield city centre
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He is listed as a warehouseman, he then progressed to spring knife manager.

By 1865, he ventured out on his own as a manufacturer of pen & pocket knives, table knives and sportsman’s knives. He also produced scissors.

He rented out a couple of shops on the upper floors of Mappin`s Queens Cutlery Works which stood on the corner of Pond Street and Bakers Hill.

By the 1870s, because of his full order book, his workforce swelled to 53 men, boys, women and girls.

A Singleton & Priestman Pearl handle knife/fork.A Singleton & Priestman Pearl handle knife/fork.
A Singleton & Priestman Pearl handle knife/fork.

In about 1874, Edmund joined William in a partnership.

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William died suddenly at his home Edge Mount, 40 Edge Hill Road – the Edge and Hill were brought together by some fool later – on May 1, 1892, aged 67.

His death certificate cited the cause of death as apoplexy – for the medically minded today its known as a stroke.

He was laid to rest in the churchyard of All Saints’ Church, Ecclesall.

He left just £5,600 in his will, but it was a tidy sum at the time.

Edmund took over the business.

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By 1896, the company had been given an silver mark for the Pond Street works.

Besides sterling silver products, the company also produced a range of electro-plated goods and household cutlery.

Edmund set up a London office on New Broad Street and he also had an agent in New York.

In 1910, we find the business was working out of premises on Arundel Lane in Sheffied city centre.

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This short lane has been changed out of all recognition since the 1970s – it is now bland and horrible.

The year 1922 saw the firm becoming ‘Ltd’, run by Edmund and his daughter Barbara as directors along with WT Montford and GW Womersley.

In 1925, the firm moved to the Albert Works at 77 Sidney Street in the city centre.

Thankfully this building is still standing.

The firm was still manufacturing its popular lines, pocket, table, tea and pruning knives for the discernible gardener, they now specialised in gift and advertising knives.

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At this time, Singleton & Priestman Ltd put its unique trademark on all its wares.

It consisted of two arrowheads with the word Razor Steel between them.

In the year 1931, the firm was based on Carver Street in the city centre.

The business was last listed in directories in 1936.

Edmund had retired from the business and he died in Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, in 1939, aged 87.

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Further to the Queen’s Cutlery Works, this cutlery firm was owned by the Mappin Brothers, John Newton and Frederick Thorpe.

It was John who became a successful brewer and in his will left money for the building of the Mappin Art Gallery.

His nephew Frederick Thorpe succeeded his father in 1841 as head of a firm that produced a variety of knives and razors.

He had worked with his father from the age of 14 as a partner.

He also took charge of his three younger brothers.

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In 1851, the brothers opened the Queens Plate & Cutlery Works which stood on Flat Street, facing on Bakers Hill and Pond Street – the old General Post Office now stands in its place.

More than 500 workers were employed at this cutlery works, although looking at the insurance map the works wasn’t just one big building it was a a collection of separate buildings linked by courtyards.

Disputes began to emerge among the brothers which resulted in Frederick leaving the firm in 1859.

John Newton also left the firm to start his own cutlery and plated goods firm which became known the world over as Mappin & Webb.

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Mappin & Webb merged with Elkington and Walker & Hall in 1963, the merged company being named British Silverware.

In 1973, Mappin & Webb was bought by Sears Holdings.

After a brief spell in the Asprey Garrard group, the company now forms part of the retail group Aurum Holdings.

Mappin & Webb continues to produce classic silverware and fine jewellery collections.

Frederick Mappin became a partner in the engineering firm of Thomas Turton & Sons.

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He was also the chairman of the Sheffield Gas Company, a director of the Midland Railways, a Liberal MP for Bassetlaw, mayor of Sheffield and a Baronet in 1886.

He was appointed an honorary Freeman of the City of Sheffield in 1900.

He was a generous benefactor of the emerging University of Sheffield and on his death on March 19, 1910, he left £1 million in his will.

Between 1864-65, he had Thornbury built as his home on Ranmoor Road, Fulwood.

Now, as most people know its now a private hospital caring for the needs of people both medical and surgical.

Thanks to Geoff Tweedale for the information.

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