John Wilson
John Wilson (1821-1890) was born in Granville Street, the son of a spring-knife cutler. In about 1835, he was apprenticed to grinder John Whittington at Old Park Wheel of Joseph Rodgers & Sons. He moved to Top Wheel, Norfolk Street, and spent the rest of his career grinding pen-knife blades for Rodgers’. He was semi-independent (with little taste for trade unions) and took on apprentices and employed grinders himself. He was prosperous enough to retire in about 1878. A Wesleyan, ....
