This cutler advertised in William White’s, General Directory of the Town and Borough of Sheffield (1849) as a plater on steel and manufacturer of silver and plated cutlery.  His works address was at 4 Eyre Lane; his residence at 24 Bank Street.  Apparently, the business was launched in the previous year, when Wilson placed a ‘wanted’ advertisement in the newspaper for two apprentices – one to assist in the warehouse and the other to work in the silver and plated dessert-knife business (Sheffield Independent, 6 May 1848).  The identity of Joseph Wilson is unknown: the name is too common to track with any certainty in the Census and Wilson’s venture was not listed in any other directory.