Isaac Barnes, pen and pocket knife maker, was listed in 1774, 1787 and 1797 in Campo Lane, using the mark ‘BARNES’.  Leader (1876)¹ described him as ‘one of the old school of manufacturers’ and one of the oldest spring-knife makers, with a residence and workshop at the corner of Campo Lane and Lee Croft.  A ground plan has survived from 1784, which showed a property of 240 square yards, near Josephus Parkin.   Isaac was active into the 1790s.   A dissolution notice for Isaac Barnes Sen. and Jun., cutlers and factors, was posted in 1810.  However, few other details have been found.   However, the burial registers of the parish church (St Peter & St Paul) recorded the burial of Isaac Barnes, cutler of Campo Lane, on 8 June 1815 (aged 83); and Isaac Barnes, also a cutler in Campo Lane, on 29 January 1817 (aged 31).

Certainly, Isaac had a son named George.   The latter continued as a factor, pen and pruning knife maker in Campo Lane.  He was listed in directories after 1816 and eventually built a residence in Ranmoor.  Sheffield Local Register noted the death of George Barnes Sen., Upper Hallam, Ranmoor, on 12 March 1849.  He was described as late of Bee Hive Works, Campo Lane.  He was buried in St Paul’s churchyard.

^1. Leader, Robert E, Reminiscences of Old Sheffield (Sheffield, 2nd edn 1876)