Nathaniel Travis appeared in Sheffield directories in 1774 and 1787) as a fine pen knife manufacturer at Whitecroft, using the trade mark ‘IN BILBO’.  Nathaniel was apparently the son of Joshua Travis and apprenticed to cutler John Sanderson.  Nathaniel became a Freeman in 1749.   Few details are available on his career, though he was once a member of an association for the prosecution of those who retained runaway apprentices and for the apprehension of such apprentices (Sheffield Register, 22 March 1788).   Apparently, Nathaniel had two sons:  James and Philip (Freemen in 1781 and 1788, respectively).   In the directory of 1797, Nathaniel Travis & Son was listed at Whitecroft, alongside the mark ‘IN BILBO’.  The enterprise was not listed after that date.  The parish church register recorded the burials of Sarah Travis (wife of Nathaniel on 25 November 1785) and Nathaniel on 12 July 1797.   Their sons may have been involved in Travis, Senior, & Travis.