Thomas Nicholson was a silver plate manufacturer.  According to Bradbury (1912)¹, Thomas was born on 20 February 1779, the son of Samuel Nicholson, who was a partner in Tudor & Leader.  The parish register in Sheffield shows the baptism of Thomas Nicholson on 4 April 1779, which seems a good match.  However, the father was recorded as George Nicholson, silversmith, and the mother, Mary.  As a child, Thomas was apparently allowed the run of the workshops of Samuel Roberts (Roberts, Cadman).  He joined the firm, possibly working as a traveller, but later became associated with silver plater Robert Gainsford.  In 1816, Gainsford, Nicholson & Co was listed in a directory as a silver plate manufacturer at Charles Street (then later at Eyre Street).   By the mid-1820s, the enterprise was Gainsford, Fenton & Nicholson.  The firm was dissolved in 1834.

Nicholson was said to have ‘left a lasting impression on the old Sheffield Plate trade’ and ‘kept his genius for design all through his life’ (Bradbury, 1912¹).  He also followed emerging developments in electro-plating.  Thomas Nicholson’s later career was at James Dixon & Sons, where he was highly regarded.  On his 73rd birthday in 1854, the directors and his fellow workers at Cornish Place presented him with an expensive tea, coffee, and dessert service (Sheffield Independent, 20 February 1854).   

Nicholson lived at Ball Street, near the factory, with his wife, Sarah, and son, Vincent (also a silversmith).  Sarah died in 1858.  Thomas Nicholson died at St Philip’s Road on 12 May 1860.  He was buried in Ecclesfield churchyard.  His workpeople commissioned a memorial by sculptor Edwin Smith in St Mary’s Church, Ecclesfield, in appreciation of his ‘genius and strict integrity’.  The monument has a portrait and relievo, flanked by angels (Sheffield Independent, 2 February 1861).  His age was given as 79 on the tablet; and 78 in the burial register and press obituary – both of which conflict with the date of birth in Bradbury.

^1. Bradbury, F, History of Old Sheffield Plate (London, 1912)