This firm was founded by Thomas Newell (1857-1929), who was born in Nottingham.  He had moved to Sheffield by 1891 and was listed as a confectioner in Snig Hill in the local directory (though he told the Census in 1891 that he was a master pastry cook).  By 1901, he had founded E. Newell & Co, electro-plate manufacturer, Holly Street.  The ‘E.’ in the name is a mystery, though it may have referred to his son, Edward John Newell (1882-1923).  By the end of the First World War, the address was Rockingham Street and Edward was listed as the sole partner.  However, he died on 27 December 1923, leaving £3,256 to his widow, Bertha. 

By the mid-1920s, Newell’s had relocated to 226 Solly Street.  Thomas Newell died at the hospital in Herries Road on 5 July 1929, aged 72.  He left £1,229 to his widow, Mary Ann.  After 1934, the firm’s address was 124 Scotland Street.  In 1950, Newell’s advertised in The Ironmonger Diary a wide range of cutlery: spoons and forks, fish and fruit eaters, pen knives, cased goods, and bread and table knives.  The firm survived into the 1960s but had apparently ceased business by 1965.