Hawksworth and Eyre & Company

[Edmund]

The precursor firm to Hawksworth and Eyre were established in 1796 and bought out in 1833 by Charles Hawksworth and John Eyre. Charles Hawksworth died aged 78 in March 1874 and the White Rails factory with 10 attached dwellings were sold, as was his residence at Rock Rise, Pitsmoor (109 Burngreave Road, corner with Rock Street). Mr Hawksworth had been a member of the first Town Council and had been Guardian of the Poor. In 1872 the partnership between James Bembridge, Thomas Hall and George Woolhouse (trading as Hawksworth and Eyre) was dissolved following Hall and Woolhouses' retirement. Under Bembridge's guidance the firm became a limited liability company in 1873. In 1875 the firm moved to 60 Rockingham Street. Originally they made Old Sheffield Plate but progressed into high class silver and electro-plate, including candelabras, candlesticks, tea service, cake baskets, bowls etc. Most of their holloware was sold in London.

Hawksworth and Eyre exhibited at the 1930 "Sheffield Industries Week" held at Cole Brothers, but they ceased trading in November 1932 due to the Depression.

 

[Heartshome]

Hi Edmund. What an interesting find! A very nice newspaper write-up and most informative.

Your footnote is also most enlightening on the historical details.               Thank you Heartshome.

[tozzin]

From Geoff Tweedale's Directory of Sheffield Cutlery Manufacturers.

[Heartshome]

Thanks tozzin! for further detailed info which is most interesting.

The company certainly went through a few changes during it's existence.

                                     Regards Heartshome.