The history of this cutlery family dates from at least the early eighteenth century. According to the records of the Company of Cutlers, Joseph Antt (or Ant) was apprenticed to his father (also named Joseph) and was granted his Freedom in 1750. His mark as a knife maker was +L. This mark was found on a knife blade – made from cementation steel – that was excavated from a recent archaeological dig of the Riverside Exchange, close to the River Don. A directory in 1787 listed Joseph Antt & Son as merchants in Lambert Street/Croft.
The son was Joseph Parlibien Antt (baptised 3 March 1758), who was apprenticed to his father, and granted his Freedom in 1800. Joseph Antt, Broad Lane, died in that year on 13 February and was buried in St Peter’s churchyard. His age was not recorded. Joseph P. Antt, ‘gentleman’ was buried in the same graveyard on 12 March 1819. He was aged 61. The +L mark may have been acquired by Benjamin Fenton.