Edward Parkin (1816-1878) was the son of scissorsmith, Joseph (c.1792-1860), and his wife, Martha.  In the Census (1841), Edward was a scissorsmith in Allen Street, living with his son, Joseph (1838-1890).  Apparently, Edward’s wife, Ann née Denton – whom he had married in 1837 – had died (possibly in 1840).  Edward was listed in 1849 as a scissors maker in Hicks Lane.  The Census (1851), he was at Hicks Lane, with Joseph (an apprentice) and his second wife, Mary.  In the 1850s and 1860s, Edward’s works address was Spring Street/Workhouse Lane, where he manufactured (according to an advertisement for Edward Parkin & Son in 1861) fine scissors, with silver and gold electro-plated shanks, and tailors’ shears.  He employed four men, two boys, and three girls.  He was in Spring Street in 1871, when he was also a publican at the Blue Pig Inn.  By 1876, Edward Parkin & Son was in Paradise Square.  He was ‘rattened’ by the theft of six grinding bands from Townsend’s Wheel, Solly Street, because of a dispute over arrears of his trade union dues or ‘natty money’ (Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 15 February 1876).  Edward died on 15 October 1878, aged 61, leaving under £200.  His burial was at Burngreave.  

The firm continued at Solly Street under his widow Mary, who had a workforce of ten men and two boys.  She died in 1888 and was buried at Burngreave on 14 March.  Edward’s son, Joseph, died on 18 February 1890, aged 52, and was buried at Wardsend Cemetery.  He left a widow, Elizabeth (1839-1912), and a son, Harry Robert Parkin (1863-1914).  They continued Edward Parkin & Son as a manufacturer of fine scissors and tailors’ shears at 260 Solly Street.  Elizabeth died on 30 January 1912, aged 73, and was buried at Wardsend; Harry Robert was buried at Burngreave on 10 October 1914, aged 51.   The firm ceased trading during the First World War.