John Thickett (c.1834-1906) was born in Penistone, the son of John and his wife, Sarah.  His father farmed at New Lodge, or Thickett’s Folly Farm, but after working as a coal dealer and grocer became insolvent in 1847.   His son, John, became an apprentice silver smith and later established a silver-plate business with Horatio Booth.  In 1859, this partnership ended and Thickett started an enterprise at Livingstone Works, Hermitage Street.  He advertised in 1860, but his business was small-scale (in 1861, the only employee was one boy).  Between 1865 and 1872, Thickett was based at 41 Arundel Street.  He was later a silver solder manufacturer and glue dealer in Charles Street.  He died there on 8 February 1906, aged 72, leaving £1,017 to his wife Hannah.