William Crookes (c.1799-1868) was a spring-knife cutler.  By 1851, he was living in Blue Boy Street (off Allen Street), with his wife, Mary Ann.   Nearby in Trinity Street was George Butler & Co, where Crookes worked.   He died on 3 October 1868, aged 69, and was buried in St Philip’s churchyard.  The Sheffield Independent, 6 October 1868, stated that he had worked at Butler’s for over forty years and ‘evinced great practical genius during a long life consecrated to an unfaltering devotion to duty, and was characterised for his true obedience, great industry, and unswerving devotion to duty’.  His son, William, died on 12 April 1889 (aged 61), after 47 years at Butler’s.