William Wilson

Will is available from National Archives: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D77796

Chaytor, M. H. F. (1962) The Wilsons of Sharrow: The Snuff-Makers of Sheffield, J. W. Northend, Sheffield.

Lived in Brightfield House, by Sharrow Mills

Brightfield house was built 1788/1790 for a man called John Henfry, a scissor smith and then bought, in 1809, by William Wilson of Sharrow Mills. It was he apparently who wanted to call it Highfield House, but had to settle on another name because of the proximity of Highfield.

The first Wilson to come to Sharrow Mills was Thomas, a shearsmith, who rented the water wheel and buildings from the Duke of Norfolk in 1737. He was an important figure in Sheffield industry, being Master of the famous Cutlers' Company in 1731. He was followed by his son Joseph, a highly succesful international merchant and entrepeneur, who was associated with Boulsover in the manufacture of the first Sheffield Plate. Joseph carried on this silver-plating and various other manufactures such as saw-making at Sharrow Mills and at other places in Sheffield. His main interest was in snuff making; at some point he had come in to the possession of the secrets of this trade, and he was able to expand from this into his other ventures. In 1763 a fire at the Millsdestroyed thousands of pounds-worth of his stock-in-trade which included 'tobacco snuff', and the business was considered so vital to tax revenues that a national collection was ordered to recompense Joseph and his partner (insurance was by no means universal in industry at that time).

By the 1760's Joseph decided to continue th snuff business entirely by himself. It had become the most important part of his activities at Sharrow Mills, and it was at this time that he started making SP, for which Sharrow has been famous ever since. The water powered mill at SharrowA further six generations of the Wilson family have followed Thomas at Sharrow Mills and the business which is now known as Wilsons & Co. (Sharrow) Ltd. is still wholly owned and run by members of the Wilson family.

Steam-power was introduced in 1797 and the capacity of the mills has been gradually increased over the years but the water wheel is still working, deriving its power from the little river Porter. Sharrow snuffs were originally sent out in barrels, boxes and bladders. Today a wide range of packing, the most popular being 5, 10 and 25gr. tins (approximate weights). Snuff is made in an increasing number of flavours. These include the older blends such as Wallflower, Rose of Sharrow, Royal George, Jockey Club, Crumbs of Comfort, Aniseed and Eucalyptus, S.P., S.S., Tom Buck, Sharrow Medicated, Irish High Toast and Queen's Extra Strong, as well as the newer additions such as Super Menthol, SM 500, Rum and Blackberry, Vanilla, Irish Whiskey, Tangerine, Honey Menthol and Prime Minister.

From: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/A2A/records.aspx?cat=199-ywd&cid...

Particulars of sale YWD 1429/2 29 August, 1845

Contents: Brightfield House at Highfield (now Sharrow, Sheffield Lane), Oak Brook estate, a farm at Wadsley, Yorkshire, and Sharrow, Sheffield Vale estate, i.e. on the north of the Porter up to Clarkehouse Road, Sheffield. This seems to be the estate of William Wilson, deceased

From: Sheffield Independent - Saturday 14 January 1843

SALES BY BARDWELL AND SONS. DESIRABLE COUNTRY RESIDENCE, At HIGHFIELD, known as BRIGHTFIELD HOUSE; SHARES in the Sheffield Water Works. Sheflield Banking Company, and other Valuable Investments and Securities. TO BE SOLD BY AUCTI ON, BY T. N. B IRDWELL & SONS, (By direction of the Devisees in Trust, and Executors named in the Will of William Wilson, late ot Brightfield House, in the County ol York, Esquire, Deceased) at ihe Auction Mart, in High street, Sheffield, (on Tuesday, the 24th day of January, 1843 at Three o'clock in the Afternoon, in the following or such other Lots as may be agreed upon at the time of Sale, and subject to Conditions to be then and there produced.

LOT I. BRIGHTFIELD HOUSE, an excellent Family Mansion, most delightfully and desirably situate at Highfield, corner of Sharrow Lane, and in the Township of Eccleshall Bierlow, in the Parish of Sheffield and County of York, standing in its own Pleasure Grounds; and though within twenty minutes' walk from the Town, yet com- pletely removed from all annoyance, and possessing every advantage of a Country Residence. The House is fit for immediate occupation, and contains Drawing, Dining, and Breakfast Rooms, of comfortable proportions, lofty and well lighted ; seven Bed Rooms, with Closets and Dressing Rooms ; Principal and Secondary Stairs, capital Kitchens, very completely fitted out ; dry Cellars, Bath Room, Water Closet, Brewhouse, and other Conveniences.  The Out-Premises comprise a four-stalled Stable, Hay Loft, Saddle and Harness Rooms, Coach house, Hen houses, Piggeries, Dog kennels, Sheds, &c, and two enclosed Yards. The Pleasure Grounds are. tastefully arranged, and form a complete protection from the Road, and the Kitchen Garden is well Walled and productive. The Views from the House, notwithstanding its proximity to the Town, are extensive and diversified, comprising, in front, the Park, studded with Mansions aud Villas, and the line of hill stretching toward Norton, and behind, ranging over Sharrowhead, the Botanical Gardens, Broomhill, Crookes, &c, &c. 

The Premises are replete with Fixtures and Conveniences, and abundantly supplied with hard and soft Water, and present a rare and most desirable Opportunity to any Family, wishing for a Residence within an easy distance of Sheffield. The Ground Plot contains 3765 Yards, or thereabouts, and is held, as to 3252 Yards thereof, for a Term of 99 Years, commencing March 25th, 1788 ; and as to the remaining 513 Yards thereof, for a Term of 96 Years, commencing March 25th, 1802, at annual Ground Rents, together amounting to only £11.13s. 7d.