John Clayton Nicholson (1826-1891) was born in Sheffield, the son of Matthew Nicholson (1798-1840) and his wife, Maria née Clayton.  Matthew was the brother of John (see J. Nicholson & Sons).  In 1849, John Clayton was listed in a directory as a spring knife manufacturer at Pond Street.  In the Census (1851), he was living with his wife, Mary, at Pond Street, employing ten men.  By 1861, he had re-married (his wife was Margaret) and was living and working as a pen knife cutler at Ridgeway, Derbyshire.  By 1871, he was a spring-knife cutler and postman; and then abandoned making knives.  In the Census (1881), he was a postmaster and grocer at Ridgeway.  He died in 1891 and was buried in the Wesleyan Chapel burial ground, Ridgeway, on 11 January.  ‘As a newsagent and letter carrier he was well known, having travelled this difficult district for 23 years.  A bad cold caught whilst journeying from Sheffield during the late severe weather brought on the end’ (Derbyshire Times, 14 January 1891).  His widower, Margaret, continued as postmistress; while his son, John Andrew became a carrier and farmer, running a regular service between Sheffield and Ridgeway.  The Sheffield Independent, 7 June 1930 celebrated the Nicholsons’ five generation 111-years record, either reading or delivering the newspaper in Ridgeway.