The Colley family was involved in scissors making in the St Philip’s district.  William Colley and Joseph Colley were scissors manufacturer in Pea Croft between about 1825 and 1841.  In the early nineteenth century, two other family groups were active: the Allen Street Colleys, who operated Colley Bros; and Thomas and Joseph Colley, who were based in St Philip’s Road.  The relationship between these various Colleys is not always easy to discern, though some were Quakers.  One Sheffield cutler, Thomas Colley (1742-1812), went to America as a Quaker missionary.  Thomas Colley (c.1810-1874) was a scissors manufacturer and shopkeeper in Scotland Street in 1849.  His business had apparently started in 1840.  Interestingly, he was born in North America.  

By 1852, Thomas had moved to 48 St Philip’s Road, where he continued as a scissors maker and grocer (though later he concentrated on scissors).  By 1871, he was living at Fir Spring House, Fir Street, Walkley.  He employed nine men, four women, and a boy.  Thomas’s wife, Elizabeth, died in 1873; he died on 17 May 1874, aged 64.   He was ‘found drowned’ (an apparent suicide) in a reservoir at Crookes.   His burial (unconsecrated) was in the General Cemetery.   He left under £1,000.  His son, Joseph, took over the business.  He died on 23 February 1878 (aged 43) and was also interred in the General Cemetery.  His estate was under £300.  W. J. Ramsbottom acquired the business.