This name appeared in directories between 1879 and 1940.  It was a backstreet, family-run, ‘little-mester’ operation, which started at Wheeldon Works, Wheeldon Street, but by the 1900s was at 1a Sarah Street.  The founder was John Thomas Middleton (1829-1891), who was the son of John (a steel caster) and Rosanna.  In the Census (1861), John Thomas was enumerated as a scissors smith and local preacher at Gloucester Street.  He died on 7 October 1891, aged 61, at the Workhouse Pitsmoor.  His probate described him as formerly of Broad Lane and late of 71 Sutton Street.  He left about £170 to his widow, Ann (who died in 1915).  Their unconsecrated grave is in the General Cemetery.

J. T. Middleton continued to be listed at Sarah Street between the Wars.  In one directory (1925), John Thomas’s son, Walter (1861-1941), was listed as a cutlery manufacturer and owner of the firm.  Although it was always listed as a scissor manufacturer, stainless table knives marked ‘Middleton’, with the cursive initials ‘J T M’ have survived.  Walter’s brother, Thomas (1863-1955), may have had a role in the business.  They were both skilled scissors makers.  In the Register of England & Wales (1939), Walter was a ‘scissor fixer’; Thomas was a ‘cutlery manufacturer’.  Walter died on 17 July 1941, aged 79, and was buried in the General Cemetery.  Thomas died on 12 January 1955, aged 91, and was buried in an unconsecrated grave at Crookes Cemetery.  He left £228.