Samuel Walker & Co, a silver plater in Burgess Street, registered a silver mark in 1836.  The owner died in London on 17 November 1840, aged 44.  In December 1840, Walker, Knowles & Co, Burgess Street, registered a silver mark (WK&Co) and also used an orb mark.  The partners were John Knowles (born c.1812) in Sheffield and Henry Greaves Walker (c.1796-1878) in London, where the firm had an office at Beaufort Buildings in the Strand.  Thomas Underdown was briefly a partner until 1841.  In the early 1850s, Walker, Knowles began electro-plating, but the partnership was dissolved in 1860.   Henry Greaves Walker continued to live in London, where he died at Hyde House, Edmonton, on 13 December 1878 (aged 82).  He was a wealthy property owner, who left nearly £70,000.   

Meanwhile, John Knowles & Son registered a silver mark in Sheffield in 1859.   In the Census (1861), John Knowles, aged 49, was living in Endcliffe Crescent, with his wife Elizabeth.  He employed 38 workmen and a dozen women.  In the directory, Charles Knowles (besides John) was listed as a partner in London.  In 1871, John’s son, Francis, appeared as partner.  In 1871, Knowles’ tools and stock were sold, including ‘3,000 costly and exquisite cut dies’ (Sheffield Independent, 26 August 1871).   John Knowles may have died or moved to London (unfortunately his death has not been traced).  In 1876, F. Knowles & Co was listed at Surrey Works, Granville Street.   This was presumably operated by Francis, but he died at Winter Street on 27 May 1876, aged 34, and was buried in Fulwood.