Benjamin Williamson was born in Sheffield in 1789 and baptised in the Cathedral on 7 June, the son of Jonathan, a cutler and Hannah / Ann, his wife (nee Gaskin). He was apprenticed to his father in 1803 and was at least the 3rd generation of cutlers as both of his grandfathers (Benjamin Williamson, 1731 - 1767 and Charles Gaskin, c1746 - 1821) were also cutlers.

Benjamin married Elizabeth Simpson in October 1807 in Rotherham Minster and had at least one child, Charles, in 1808. Charles in turn married Frances Maria Smith in December 1825 at St Mary, Handsworth and they had 8 children. Charles became the fourth generation of table knife cutlers.

In 1841, Benjamin was living with his wife in Kenyon Alley and in 1851 at 34 Charlotte Street with Charles and his family. According to various Directories, Benjamin was resident at 15 Holly Street in 1822, and Orchard Lane in 1825 and 1828.

Benjamin appears to have got into debt as he is recorded as a prisoner in Sheffield Gaol when he appeared at Wakefield Courthouse in 1822 and again in 1834. The latter entry records he was: formerly of Orchard Lane, afterwards of West Street, then Carver Street, then Allen Street and late of Radford Street.

An excavation of a site near Kelham Island in 2016 refers to “19th-century back-to-back housing and courts and the Kenyon Cutlery Works at the site of the Stephenson Blake-Type Foundry, Upper Allen Street, Kenyon Alley and Edward Street, Sheffield”. It is likely that Benjamin was employed in the Kenyon Cutlery Works together with several other cutlers listed in the above 1841 census, and may have lived on site.

We have no example of his knives in our Collection.  If you have any further information, please share it with us via enquiries@hawleytoolcollection.com.