Robert Hounam (bapt.1786-1849) was baptised at Queen Street Independent Chapel, the son of George and Elizabeth.   Robert, who had apparently once been a soldier, worked as a pen knife maker in Edward Street in the 1820s and 1840s.  His wife, Mary née Bailey, died in 1843.  In 1846, at Mount Zion Chapel, Robert married Elizabeth, the ‘relict’ of George Steer.   He died of ‘decay of nature’ at Upper Edward Street, aged 63, on 12 April 1849.  Joseph Hounam (1809-1877) – Robert’s son – continued to manufacture spring knives in Edward Street.  In 1861, he employed a man and a boy.   Joseph and his wife, Mary, had four sons: George, Edward, John, and Henry Robert.   By 1871, Joseph was at Sheaf Island Works, Pond Hill.  He died at Gleadless Road, Heeley, on 13 December 1877.  In 1878, the business became Joseph Hounam & Sons, with Joseph’s widow, Mary, as the owner and John and Henry as managers.  According to the Census (1881), Mary lived in Shoreham Street and employed 12 men and three boys.  Her son, Edward, was also in Shoreham Street and was a cutlery manufacturer (apparently in his own right) employing four men and two boys.   Mary died on 1 May 1882, leaving £172.   

John and Henry established J. & H. R. Hounam, manufacturers of pen, pocket, farriers’ and sporting knives, at Sheaf Island Works.  John Hounam, Woodbank Crescent, Meersbrook, died (aged 52) on 15 June 1894, leaving £285.  Henry continued the business – possibly helped by his brother Edward (listed as a ‘cutlery manager’ in directories).  Edward Hounam, Woodland Road, died on 25 July 1904, aged 67.   In 1902, Henry partnered Joseph Allen and J. & H. R. Hounam’s address became Ecclesall Works, Rockingham Street (Allen’s address).  Henry was a director of both companies until about 1921.   He died on 18 January 1925 (aged about 71) at his residence, Wingrove, Totley Brook Road.  Most of the Hounams had been buried in unconsecrated graves in the General Cemetery.  But Henry was interred at City Road (Intake) Cemetery, after a service at Millhouses Wesleyan Church.  He left £3,082.  Hounam’s was listed in Rockingham Street until about 1949.