Makers & Designers

his branch of the Biggin family was involved in the manufacture of handles and ferrules. It can be traced to Isaac Biggin, a warehouseman/table knife manager, and his wife Maria. Isaac died on 4 October 1857, aged 54, and was buried in the General Cemetery (unconsecrated section). Maria died on 16 May 1871, aged 72. Three of their sons – John (1827-1876), Samuel (c. 1839-?), and Wilfred (c.1850-1900) – were involved in cap handle and ferrule manufacture. Alfred Biggin (1836-1896) may have been another son of Isaac and Maria. Samuel and Alfred founded businesses; so, too, did John.

In the early 1850s, John Biggin began making silver and plated measures, handles, caps, and ferrules at Mulberry Street. He had been manager for Charles Needham. In 1854, Needham retired and transferred his Wicker business to Biggin (Sheffield Independent, 25 November 1854). In 1855, Biggin registered a silver mark from Mulberry Street. He later stated his firm’s foundation date as 1825 – before he was born! – though this date referred to Needham. In 1857, Biggin moved to a three-storey building on the corner of Milk Street/Sycamore Street. In 1871, he employed 17 workers. Further silver marks were registered in 1897 and 1902. John Biggin, Glen Road, died on 21 March 1876, aged 48. He was buried in the General Cemetery and left under £3,000. Owenership of the firm passed to his widow, Elizabeth Louisa, who told the Census in 1881 that she employed ten men, two boys, and one girl. She died on 11 July 1884, aged 55, and was buried in the family grave in the General Cemetery. John’s and Elizabeth’s son, John Henry Biggin (1855-1898), was the next in line. He died on 17 May 1898, leaving £985.

In 1906, Biggin’s became a private limited company, with £5,000 capital. Management passed to the next John Biggin (1884-1976), who was the son of John Henry. In 1939, the firm was wound up and re-registered with £4,000 capital. At the same time, Biggin’s moved from Milk Street to a purpose-built factory in Earl Street (Telegraph & Independent Trade Supplement, 1 January 1941). In March 1957, Quality described the firm as still family-operated by John Biggin and his son, John. It produced sterling-silver and stainless handles for cutlery and also surgical equipment, using the trade mark ‘APEX’. Hollow cutlery handles remained a profitable source of business into the 1970s, by which time John Sen. had retired to Somerset. He died on 9 September 1976 at East Coker, Somerset, leaving £35,050. The firm closed in 1994.