William Blackwell (born at Crookes, c. 1779) apparently first traded as a silver plater with William Parkin.  Blackwell & Parkin registered a silver mark from Hicks Lane, Westbar, in 1816.  After its dissolution in 1817, William continued from Tower Hill, Pye Bank.  In 1802, he had married Esther née Lingard (c.1781-1860).  A son, Joseph (1803-1876), joined the firm, but the arrangement ended in 1832.  The business, run on ‘rather a small scale’, was offered for sale for up to £2,000 (Sheffield Independent, 22 September 1832).  However, William continued as a silversmith at Tower Hill, where he died on 19 August 1854, aged 75.  His burial was at Christ Church, Pitsmoor.  An auction of his stock and tools offered items in Sheffield Plate, such as candlesticks and cruets, besides butter knives (Sheffield Independent, 8 September 1860).  Joseph became a coachbuilder but was bankrupt by 1849 and died at York Lunatic Asylum on 26 May 1876.  His unconsecrated burial was in the General Cemetery.