Proctor Family - Cutlers

[Stuart0742]

Received this by email, can anybody add anything

Thank you for all you help.

I am looking for any makers marks and information on a group/family of

cutlers, named Proctor, prior to 1787.

On www.sheffieldrecordsonline.org.uk I found five apprentices who

appear to all have the same father (Jonathan Proctor). Their fathers

profession is listed as a cutler. Behind the names below are the years

that they received their freedom from apprenticeship, though it does

not indicate who their master was (I assumed it was their father).

John Proctor (1738)

Benjamin Proctor(1748)

Charles Proctor(1760)

Luke Proctor(1765)

Thomas Proctor(1774)

In the book "REMINISCENCES OF OLD SHEFFIELD" it is written, "Luke and

Charles Proctor, natives of the town [sheffield], and originally

makers, if not actually grinders, of lancets."

Gales & Martin's "Directory of Sheffield" 1787 lists Charles and Luke

Proctor as " pen and pocket knife"makers on Milk St. However, they are

no longer listed in the 1797 directory.

[vox]

I've got this from here

Brass fleam marked Coach no.2 1801 and Proctor on the case and an unusual stamp on the blade. This was probably used for horses on a coach or fire-team.The Proctors were Sheffield cutlers. Charles and Luke Proctor who entered their first silver mark in 1773, they are said originally to have been makers of lancets but also made scales, weights, hunters' knives and forks, and medals. It is thought that silver production was very subsidiary to other business activities. Later Luke or his nephew, Charles's son, was a partner in Thomas Pasmore & Co. and Luke Proctor & Co. from 1784 to 1795. A new silver mark was entered in June 1792 for Proctor & Beilby. A third mark was entered in April 1795 by Charles Proctor & Thomas Beilby as a result of the departure of Luke Proctor from the firm. William Proctor who entered in March 1817 may have been Charles's son.

This could possibly be the same family. Date is right.

[vox]

Some more

Proctor & Beelby was another company, working from 1781-1798. They were opticians, spectacle and telescope makers. They were located on Milk St., Sheffield, from 1781-1787, and then moved in 1797 to 11 Market St. in Sheffield. Charles & Luke Proctor were the names of the businessmen. Any relationship between Proctor & Beilby of Birmingham, and Proctor & Beelby of Sheffield, is unknown. However, Sheffield is only 40 miles northeast of Birmingham and 60 miles northwest of Denton, so perhaps they are related to the Todd Telescope in some fashion.

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