In 1797, George Greaves was listed as a cutler and brass founder at 15 West Street.  By 1811, the partners were John and George Greaves at the same address.  The relationship between the two men is difficult to ascertain (were they brothers, or perhaps father and son?).  It does not appear that they were related to the merchant, John Greaves & Son, at Fargate.  In 1815, John and George Greaves dissolved their partnership.  John Greaves continued as a brass founder at Portobello Street (though confusingly a pen and pocket knife manufacturer was active at West Street, c.1816-18).  The burial of George Greaves (aged 71) at St Paul’s on 20 November 1817 may be significant.

By 1821, John Greaves had joined Francis Newton in Greaves & Newton, a cutlery manufacturer/merchant and brass founder in West Street.  By the early 1830s, the address was Portobello Street.  John’s sons, Henry (1805-1835) and Edward (1807-1880), joined the firm, which also included Samuel Sikes (and was linked with Walkley Bank Tilt and George Hawksworth).  Henry died on 13 February 1835.  John Greaves was Master Cutler in 1837, when Greaves & Newton was dissolved.   John Greaves & Son was launched as a brass founder in Portobello and Holland Street.   In 1838, the business was relocated to South Street, where the partners intended to operate a brass foundry and convert and refine steel.  John Greaves died at Ramsay, Isle of Man, on 30 June 1849 (Sheffield Independent, 7 July 1849).  Edward inherited the brass foundry.  He died on 15 February 1880, leaving under £5,000.  His unconsecrated burial was at the General Cemetery.   The firm adopted limited liability in 1898 (capital £1,000), but was wound up in 1904.