This partnership was started in the mid-1840s by William Ward Brumby (c.1801-1868) and William Middleton (1811-1891).  Possibly, the latter was born on 2 April 1811, the son of John (a merchant) and his wife, Jane.  Both men had experience in selling cutlery and tools.  Brumby was a merchant in Harvest Lane in 1833 but was previously a traveller. His account books 1829-46 (Sheffield Archives) show sales trips to the West Country, the Midlands, and Welsh Borders.  Brumby was probably one of the partners in Potts, Baxter & Brumby (see Staniforth, Parkin), which was listed as a merchant in 1834.  Meanwhile, Middleton had a merchant’s office in George Street after 1828.

Brumby & Middleton was initially based in George Street as a merchant in table knives, saws, and edge tools.  By 1856, the enterprise had moved to Howard Street.  William Ward Brumby, ‘merchant’ of Upper Victoria Street, died on 8 March 1868, aged 67, and was buried in the General Cemetery.  He left under £2,000.  Brumby appears to have had no children, apart from a son who died in 1859, aged 20.  William Middleton and Frederick William Middleton (1845-1889) – presumably William’s son – continued to operate as Brumby & Middleton, Howard Street Works.  Later the partners were Frederick William Middleton and Herbert Gamble Middleton (1854-1940), who was William’s son.  Herbert continued the business after Frederick died on 7 May 1889, aged 43.  He left £508 and was buried in Ecclesall.  William Middleton died at Sandon Place on 16 April 1891, aged 80, and was also buried in Ecclesall.  He left £14,990.  By the end of the century, Brumby & Middleton had become the vehicle for the ambitions of Edwin Blyde, with the latter forming a brief partnership with Herbert G. Middleton, which had ended in 1902.   Herbert died on 31 December 1940, leaving £9,057.