Thomas Bashforth (1788-1870) was born in Sheffield, probably the son of son of William (a cow keeper) and Martha Bashforth.  In 1818, he was listed as a table knife cutler at Rockingham Lane. By 1822, he was a table knife manufacturer and haft presser, Smith’s Yard, Coalpit Lane.  (Directories seem to offer confused spelling of the surname at this time: sometimes listing Thomas Bashford.)  Later that decade, he moved to a courtyard in Allen Street, which was set amongst the usual mix of dwellings, wash houses, cellars, shop, and other workers (Sheffield Independent, 21 July 1827).  He continued to operate at Allen Street, but by the late 1840s specialised as a horn scale presser.

By 1862, his works address was Royal Oak, Yard 91, Allen Street.  His family lived at Wentworth Terrace, Upperthorpe Road. Bashforth was not listed in 1868 and had presumably retired. He died at Wentworth Terrace on 31 January 1870 (aged 81), ‘after a protracted affliction, borne with patient resignation’ (Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 1 February 1870).  Thomas (and his wife, Eliza,who died in the following year) were buried at Ecclesall churchyard.