In the 1780s, Nathaniel Smith & Co, a Sheffield Plate enterprise, was formed with various partners.  When they died, in 1810 George Smith, Robert Tate, William Nicholson, and Hewan Hoult registered a silver mark as plate workers in Arundel Street.   In 1820, Smith and Nicholson had retired and Smith, Tate, Hoult & Tate, silversmith and silverplater, Arundel Street, was formed.  George Smith, of Arundel Street, died on 25 April 1823 (aged 68), ‘after a long affliction’ (Sheffield Independent, 3 May 1823).  He was buried at St Peter & St Paul churchyard.

By 1828, the firm had a London outlet in Salisbury Street, the Strand.   The company was restyled Smith, Hoult & Co, with John Smith and Hewan Hoult as partners.  This partnership ended in 1832.  Hewan Hoult, gentleman, Hanover Street, died on 27 April 1840, aged 67.  A man of ‘great benevolence of feeling and conduct’ (Sheffield Independent, 2 May 1840), he was buried in St Paul’s churchyard.