Makers & Designers

The business traces its origin to Fenton, Creswick & Co, a partnership involving Matthew Fenton (an apprentice of Thomas Law), Richard Creswick and William Watson. They were active as silversmiths and Sheffield platers and were among the first to enter their mark at the Sheffield Assay Office in 1773.
In 1789 Fenton left the firm and was replaced by Edward Oakes. The firm changed its style to Fenton, Creswick, Oakes & Co. In 1795 the partnership was dissolved and the business was continued under the style of Watson & Co under the partnership of Thomas Watson, James Fenton and Thomas Bradbury I (a former apprentice of the firm).
Later, Thomas Bradbury II (son of Thomas Bradbury I) and William Watson (nephew of Thomas Watson) were admitted to the partnership.
In 1831 William Watson retired and the business was continued by Bradburys (Thomas I and II) under the style of Thomas Bradbury & Son.
The firm was active at Arundel Street, Sheffield with London showroom at 12 Gough Square, Fleet Street.
In 1855 the firm changed its name to Thomas Bradbury & Sons, under the partnership of Joseph and Edward Bradbury (sons of Thomas Bradbury II).
In 1877 the partners were Thomas Bradbury III (brother of Joseph Bradbury) and John Sutherland Henderson.
The partnership was dissolved in 1888 and the firm was managed by Walton Turner Bradbury, Joseph Bradbury Jr and Frederick Bradbury (sons of Joseph Bradbury Sr). Frederick Bradbury is the author of the fundamental book "A History of Old Sheffield Plate".
The business was converted into a limited liability company in 1905, under the style Thomas Bradbury & Sons Ltd.
The company closed its activity in 1943 and dies and tooling were bought by Atkin Brothers.

CHRONOLOGY:
Fenton, Creswick & Co c. 1789
Fenton, Creswick, Oakes & Co c. 1789 - 1795
Watson & Co 1795-1831
Thomas Bradbury & Son 1831 - c. 1855
Thomas Bradbury & Sons 1855 - c. 1905
Thomas Bradbury & Sons Ltd 1905 - 1943