Frederick Stones was born in Sheffield and baptised on 21 February 1781.  According to Leader (1876¹), he was the son of a horn presser.   Apparently his parents were Benjamin and Ann Stones (the former had died in Arundel Street on 7 March, 1834, aged 79; the latter on 8 August 1836, aged 78).   Frederick developed an interest in edge and joiners’ tools and in the early nineteenth century was involved in various partnerships, such as William Green & Co (dissolved in 1806) and Roberts, Stones, Ash & Co (dissolved 1812).   These partnerships included Rowland Hodgson (see Greaves, Woodhead & Hodgson).  

Stones then established his own enterprise, which was based in Albion Works, Arundel Lane.   He operated as a merchant and factor, trading in (as shown in advertisements in directories in 1821, 1825, and 1828) a wide range of edge tools for home and export markets.  However, in the 1820s he also sold cutlery, such as shoe, butchers’, bread, and cooks’ knives.  He retired in 1844, having made a comfortable living as a merchant.   He lived at Broom Villa, Glossop Road, where he died on 23 November 1867, aged 86.  He was buried in Ecclesall.  His wife, Elizabeth, had predeceased him on 12 February 1859, aged 73.   Stones had owned houses, workshops, and gardens in Ranmoor and Broomspring Lane, besides Albion Works.  These were sold at a well-attended auction (Sheffield Independent, 19 February 1868).  His estate was proved at under £4,000.

^1. Leader, Robert E, Reminiscences of Old Sheffield (Sheffield, 2nd edn 1876)