John Brownill
John Brownill (variously spelled Brownhill or Brownell) was baptised in Sheffield on 21 July 1776, the son of James, a cutler. By 1821, John was listed in Hollis Croft as the ‘sole manufacturer of patent table knives and forks’. He advertised a ‘Thoro’tang’ table knife and fork, in which the handle was secured by a cap soldered to the end of the tang. Gell & Bennett’s, Sheffield & Commercial Directory (1821) featured a fold-out advertisement for this patent. ....
