Edward Gillbee (1801-1852) was the son of a vicar in Barby, Northamptonshire.  He was a merchant in Sheffield by the early 1830s.  In 1832, a partnership with Robert Cantrell as a table knife and scissors manufacturer was dissolved.  In 1833, Gillbee was listed as a manufacturer of table, pen, and pocket knives, razors and scissors at Arundel Works, Arundel Street.  In 1841, he lived in Western Bank, with his wife Hannah.  By 1849, Gillbee was in partnership with Michael Hunter at Talbot Works, Andrew Street.  The firm was styled Hunter, Son & Gillbee and was listed in 1852 as a merchant, cutlery manufacturer, and steel converter.  However, Gillbee died on 5 June 1852, aged 50, and was buried in the General Cemetery.