Robert Hallam (bapt.1783-1864), a pen, pocket, sportsman’s knife, and razor manufacturer, was the son of Samuel (a cutler).  Robert was first listed in 1821 in Rockingham Street.  He partnered Samuel Frith in Frith & Hallam, Green Lane, but this was dissolved in 1823.  He was next a partner in Horridge & Hallam (see George Horridge), which was active from about 1825 to 1837.   Robert Hallam lived at Devonshire Street in 1833, but four years later was operating from Eyre Street (with Devonshire Street as his residential address).   During the 1840s, Hallam extended his products to include table knives and surgical instruments.  By 1849, the business had been restyled Robert Hallam & Son, Eyre Street (after Robert’s son, Charles, joined the business).   Robert lived in Ecclesall Road.  In 1851, he told the Census that fifty men worked at his factory.  In the following year, he announced his retirement and gave a dinner to his workers (some of whom had been with him nearly forty years).   They presented him with gold spectacles in an embroidered case (Sheffield Independent, 6 November 1852).  Robert and Charles formally dissolved their partnership.  

The business had relocated to Garden Street by 1852, with Charles continuing under the old style.  The firm was last listed in Duke Street in 1860 – the year Charles Hallam was declared bankrupt.  In 1861, Charles was enumerated in the Census as a cutlery manufacturer employing nine workers.  But he left Sheffield to work as a schoolmaster in Eckington.  According to the General Cemetery records, Robert Hallam died on 25 September 1864, aged 80.  He was described as a ‘gentleman’ of Fir View, Walkley.  The press reports described him as the ‘late cutlery manufacturer’.  Charles Hallam died on 23 March 1874, aged 59, at his residence Northwood House, Eckington.  

Robert Hallam’s other son, John C. Hallam, went to the USA (aged 18) as his father’s salesman.   After considering a career as a Unitarian minister, he travelled to Waterbury, Connecticut, and became a cutler (joining other Sheffielders, such as T. J. Bradley).  He later became a director of the Northfield Knife Co (see Charles Platts).   His son Robert William Hallam (born 1840) became superintendent of the Meriden Cutlery Co, Connecticut.   See Commemorative Biographical Record of New Haven County, Connecticut (vol. 1, 1902).