Advertisement from 1895. Image courtesy of Geoff Tweedale
Verdon Henry Shaw Barnes was apparently born on 15 January 1830 and baptised at the parish church. In the register, his mother was Hannah, a ‘spinster’, but no father was recorded. In 1841, Verdon was living with a working cutler in Little Pond Street. He became a table knife hafter and apparently founded his own business in 1859. He was listed as a table knife manufacturer (and sometimes hosier) in Arundel Street. In the 1881 Census, he was enumerated as a table knife manufacturer, employing two boys, and living in Washington Road. He was later joined by his son, Albert, who travelled for his father. On 27 January 1900, however, Albert (aged 44) was found dead in bed at Gower House Hotel, Euston Road. He had died from an overdose of laudanum, probably accidental. The inquest recorded an ‘open verdict’ (Sheffield Independent, 31 January 1900). Verdon Barnes, 3 Court, No. 6 House, Hanover Street, died on 24 October 1913, aged 83, and was buried in the unconsecrated section of the General Cemetery. He left £147.