The partners were James Hawksley (bapt.1768-1834) and John Wreaks (bapt.1771-1861).  The former was apparently the son of Joseph, a file smith; the latter was the son of John, a factor.  James Hawksley and John Wreaks Jun. became factors and merchants.  The first appearance in a directory was in 1797, when they operated at Surrey Street.  John Wreaks may have been involved with the silver plater, John Rowbotham & Co.  By 1811, Hawksley, Wreaks was based at Norfolk; but two years later the partnership was dissolved.   James Hawksley left Sheffield and operated as a merchant at Birmingham.  He was bankrupt in 1822, when he auctioned various freehold premises at Howard Street and Eyre Street (Sheffield Independent, 21 September 1822).   He died after a few day’s illness at Small Heath, Birmingham, on 28 September 1834, aged 66.  His burial was at St Paul’s churchyard, Birmingham.

Wreaks continued to trade as a merchant at Norfolk Street, but during the 1820s he apparently retired.  He moved to Norton and became assistant secretary to the Sheffield Fire Office.  In the Census (1861), he was a retired merchant.   He died on 29 October 1861 at his residence at Paxton Place, Clarkehouse Road.  He was buried at Ecclesall, leaving under £100.   His wife, Rayne née Brailsford (1773-1859), whom he had married in 1795, predeceased him.