Joseph Brown (c.1804-1867) was born in Boston, Lincolnshire.  He moved to Sheffield, where he became a Britannia metal smith.  His first directory listing was apparently in 1833 (he lived in Walker Street).  Between 1837 and 1864, Brown was a Britannia metal and silver plated ware manufacturer in Rockingham Street.  According to Matheau-Raven (1997)¹, the firm began electro-plating in 1855.  In 1861, Brown employed three men and three boys.  George Lee became an apprentice and after Brown went bankrupt in 1864, they formed Brown & Lee at 229 Rockingham Street (where Brown lived).  Joseph Brown died on 29 September 1867, aged 74.

^1. Matheau-Raven, E R, The Identification and Dating of Sheffield Electroplated Wares 1843-1943 (London, 1997)