The brothers were George (1842-1899), William (1846-1929?), and Henry (1848-1886).  Their father was Francis (c.1814-1886) – a schoolmaster, who had been born abroad at Java – and his wife, Lizzy (c.1811-1870).  The family was living at Hollis Croft by 1841; and at Attercliffe a decade later.  George was an apprentice close silver plater; William was an apprentice fluter of ivory and pearl.  Henry became a silver finisher.  

Knight Bros, an electro-plater and silversmith in Burgess Street, was probably launched in 1872.   The brothers recruited James Hadfield (the younger) as an additional partner.  Jabez Jacks was appointed traveller at £150 a year.  However, Knight Bros was soon bankrupt, with debts of £563 against assets of £289 (Sheffield Independent, 19 July, 24 October 1873).  An auction of stock followed (Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 14 February 1874).

George Knight became an electro-plate manager (spoons and forks).  He died at Highfield on 22 January 1899, aged 57.   By 1910, William was operating a pub in Sheffield, but a decade later was a licensed victualler at Avery Street, Mayfair, London.  Henry Knight continued at Wentworth Works, Burgess Street.  He was listed in a Sheffield directory in 1876, but his enterprise then disappeared.  According to the Census (1881), he continued to work as a silver plater, living at Darnall.  He died on 3 September 1886, aged 36, and was buried at Darnall Cemetery.  The brothers’ father, Francis, died on 18 March 1886, aged 72, when he was working as a commercial clerk at a cutlery firm.  He left about £50 and was buried at Darnall Cemetery.