Isaac Oates (c.1770-1837) was a pen, pocket, and fancy knife manufacturer, who was listed in 1817 in Holley [Hawley] Croft.  This was a lane near St Peter’s Church, which was also the home of Joseph Rodgers & Sons.   Isaac Oates may have been the individual of that name listed in Leader (1905-6)¹ – the son of Edward (late of Stannington) – who was apprenticed to Thomas Carr, Stannington, in 1784 and granted his Freedom in 1800.  In 1822, the business was styled Isaac Oates & Son in Hawley Croft.  The ‘Son’ was apparently Alfred Oates, with Isaac and Alfred living and working in adjacent properties in Hawley Croft.  In 1837, Alfred was also described as a shopkeeper.

Isaac died on 7 August 1837, aged 67, after ‘a long and painful illness, which he bore with great fortitude’ (Sheffield Iris, 15 August 1837).  Alfred’s wife, Jane, died on 21 August 1839, aged 35.  Alfred did not long survive them: he died in 1840, aged 36, and was buried on 31 May.  Their remains lie in the parish churchyard.   No trade mark has been traced, though Kelham Island Museum has an exhibition ‘Year Knife’ with 365 blades, made in the 1800s by Alfred Oates – possibly the Alfred described here.

^1. Leader, R E, History of the Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire in the County of York (Sheffield, 1905-6)