Joseph Garret (c.1791-1872) was born in Ecclesfield – apparently baptised on 5 June 1791, the son of James Garrett.   The family made pen and pocket knives at Birley Edge (Dyson, 2012).  Joseph Garrett was listed in a Sheffield directory (1787), using the mark ‘1765’.  Leader (1905-6)¹ recorded Freedoms for James and Joseph Garrett (sons of Joseph at Birley Edge) in 1780 and 1791, respectively.  Possibly, the Joseph baptised in 1791 was the grandson of the ‘1765’ Joseph.  In the Census (1841), Joseph was enumerated as a 50-year-old cutler at Whitley Carr, living with his wife, Sarah, and three sons.  He made Barlow knives and had worked for Samuel Barlow, and later his son (John) and grandson (Samuel).  However, in 1843 the latter sued Garrett for counterfeiting his mark.  He was fined £5, but stated that he was unable to pay: ‘I really cannot get bread for my family at the present time’ (Sheffield Independent, 15 July 1843).  Garrett testified in another Barlow court case involving Henry Mills and Luke Oates, (Sheffield Independent, 3 February 1864).  An advertisement (1871) for Joseph Garrett & Sons was circumspect – obliquely referring to an ‘improved knife’, which was ‘superior to the old original knife’.  Joseph later lived at Wood End and was buried in Ecclesfield on 2 December 1872.  He was aged 81.

^1. Leader, R E, History of the Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire in the County of York (Sheffield, 1905-6)