Details of the early life of Joseph Cutts are sketchy, but this business had its roots in the 1840s in the industrial suburb of Little Sheffield, where Joseph was a silversmith (and manufacturer of Britannia metal spoons) and where his sons – Joseph Henry, George, John Oldale, and Charles – became involved in the trade.   The family also manufactured ‘improved’ gas meters in Hermitage Street.  By 1849, Joseph was based in Matilda Street at Truro Works, which was a three/four-storey building bounded by Matilda Street and Mortimer Street.  Apparently, Cutts’s son, Joseph (born 1812), was buried in St George’s churchyard, Portobello, on 29 May 1842 (aged 29).  His wife, Elizabeth, died on 23 July 1845 (aged 60) and was buried in St Mary’s churchyard, Bramall.  Joseph Cutts himself died in Leadmill Street on 4 May 1853 and was buried in a St Mary’s grave.  He was aged 69.  In that year, Truro Works was occupied by Atkin Bros.