Samuel Hirst was born in Sheffield on 6 November 1817, the son of Samuel (a cutler) and Eliza.  He married Mary Ann Dungworth in 1839 and by 1841 they lived in Newcastle Street.  In the Census, Samuel was a scale cutter.  In the directory (1841), he was listed as a scale and spring maker in Bailey lane.  Later in the 1840s, he moved his works address to Carver Street; then by 1852 to Eldon Street, from where he advertised in 1852 as a brass and silver founder and dealer in scales, springs, and razor backs.  In 1861, he employed two men and six boys.  Mary Ann died in 1876 (aged 56).  Samuel Hirst, Cemetery Road, died on 20 October 1886, aged 69, leaving £2,940.  He was buried in Ecclesall.