James Levick (1801-1844) was born in Sheffield and baptised a Quaker.  His father was John (1774-1815), a gardener (‘not in membership’, according to the Quaker baptismal register); his mother was Rachel née Dyson (1775-1849).  In 1828, James was a merchant and ivory cutter in Bridge Street.  He was in Pinstone Street by 1833; and Coalpit Lane by 1837, when he was bankrupt.  He was reduced to selling his few shares in Sheffield New Circus & Theatre and the Fire Office, besides his future legacy in his mother’s estate (Sheffield Independent, 6 May 1837).  In the Census (1841), James was a 40-year-old ivory cutter at Bank View, Crookesmoor, living with his wife, Ann.   He was one of the few Levicks mentioned in the standard published accounts of Sheffield.  R. E. Leader in Reminiscences (1876)¹ remarked that Levick was an ivory merchant in Pinstone Street, had some involvement in local politics, frequented Coxon’s public house, and was a dahlia grower.   Levick’s obituary after his death on 29 November 1844, aged 43, also stated that he was ‘well known amongst florists as a dahlia grower’ (Sheffield Independent, 2 November 1844).  His burial has not been traced.

^1. Leader, Robert E, Reminiscences of Old Sheffield (Sheffield, 2nd edn 1876)