James Crawshaw
James Crawshaw (c1778-1839)
1802 Birth of son James Thomas Crawshaw
1828 Master Cutler.
1833 Listed ‘jeweller, silversmith and cutler and dealer in fancy goods, 39 High Street, table, pocket, silver, dessert, fruit and improved pen knife and ultimatum razor, 61 Solly Street'[1]
1839 January. Died. 'Decease of Mr. James Crawshaw, cutler, High st., aged 61. Some of his inventions in cutlery effected an important change in that branch of Sheffield manufacture. The lobster knife, or four blades acting upon one spring, and the quadrangular knife (the latter admitting any number of blades), both originated with him, and were introduced without patents. The orreries, made by himself, exhibit beautiful specimens of workmanship and mental power in their production.'[2]
1839 Sale of his effects. Includes '...two expensive Orreries nearly finished in Bronze and Gold Frames, with Carved Feet, emblematic Signs, Sphinxes, and Figures; superior Turning Lathe, and Dividing Engine, Lancashire Tools...'[3]