Founded in 1854, this partnership involved John Maxfield (1831-1906) and his brother Joshua (1835-1900). They were the sons of John Maxfield (1801-1881) and his wife, Matilda. John Maxfield Sen. was a die sinker and japanner: first in George Lane, Little Sheffield, and then in Eyre Street.  John Maxfield Sen. died 7 January 1881, aged 79, and was buried in the General Cemetery. He left £81. Matilda died in 1886, also aged 79. 

J. & J. Maxfield was launched in Eyre Street, but by 1864 the firm was based in Eldon Street. In 1870, it had moved to larger premises (Enterprise Works) in Arundel Street.  At first, the company was listed as stampers and piercers; later as a manufacturer of spoons and forks in silver and electro-plate. The trade mark was a beaver (word and picture).  J. &. J. Maxfield registered silver marks in Sheffield in 1891 and 1898. Maxfield’s also had a showroom in Upper John Street, Soho, London, from where in 1898 they registered silver marks as Maxfield & Sons in Sheffield and London.  John Maxfield, who had been educated privately, was said to have had an ‘intimate knowledge of mechanics [which] enabled him to effect important changes and improvements in the manufacture of electro-plate’ (Addy and Pike, 1901¹).  A Congregationalist, he had a taste for local politics and was elected a Liberal Town Councillor. Joshua apparently became the chief partner, in what was said to have become a ‘large and profitable business’ (Sheffield Independent, 1 May 1906). In 1871, Joshua told the Census that the firm employed 28 men, 27 girls, and five boys. John’s estimate was lower: 52 workers. In 1881, Joshua’s headcount was 25 men and 20 girls and boys.  Joshua died at his residence Broomhall Park on 14 May 1900, aged 65, and was buried at Fulwood.  He left £20,098. 

In 1901, J. & J. Maxfield Ltd, Arundel Street, was formed (capital £50,000) after merger with Wm. Mammatt & Sons. A silver mark was registered in 1902.  The directors included John and his brother, Matthew (1841-1908); besides Ernest (1861-1902) and Harry (1864-1910) – sons of the late Joshua. By 1908, the firm was moribund (literally). Ernest died on 14 May 1902, leaving £223 (Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 15 May 1902). He had married Emily, the daughter of Henry Hobson.  John died ‘suddenly’ of heart failure at his residence, Bole Hill, Northfield Road, Crookes, on 30 April 1906, aged 74. His estate was £1,758. His was the first burial at Crookes, where he had helped obtain land for the Cemetery (Stone, 2004²). Matthew died on 13 May 1908, aged 67, and was buried in Fulwood, leaving £3,538.  Harry died at Birmingham on 4 January 1910, leaving £1,342.  The name was resurrected: first, apparently, as Maxfield & Sons (Silversmiths) Ltd at Enterprise Works, St Mary’s Road; then by 1919, as J. & J. Maxfield in Rockingham Street. It ceased trading in about 1920.

^1. Addy, S O, and Pike, W  T, Sheffield at the Opening of the 20th Century (Brighton, 1901)

^2. Stone, Julie, ‘It Comes to Us All’ – A Portrait of Crookes Cemetery (Sheffield, 2004)