Charles Stokes (1826-1883) founded his silver and electro-plate business in 1878 at Shoreham Works, Shoreham Street.  He had been born in Birmingham, the son of John Stokes, a silversmith, and his wife Sarah (who were living next door to Charles Stokes in Heeley Bank in 1861).  The enterprise employed one man and a boy in 1881.  In 1882, when Charles brought his son, John, into the business, he registered a silver mark.  Charles Stokes died in Shoreham Street on 26 November 1883, aged 57, and was buried in the General Cemetery.  The grave contains the remains of his wife (d. 1901) and four daughters and two sons – all of whom died in infancy or childhood.  The business had ceased trading by the end of the 1880s.  The surviving son, John, may have become a local doctor.  Charles’ nephew was John Thomas Stokes of Stokes, Ayres & Co.