William Watson (1803-1886) was the eldest of the four sons of John Watson, who had been the first solicitor to the Sheffield Banking Co.  William was briefly associated with his uncle, silversmith Thomas Watson, who was a partner in Thomas Bradbury.  When his uncle died, Thomas left the Bradbury silver-plate firm and started his own business.   William Watson & Co registered a silver mark at Arundel Street in 1832.  In the following year, the firm was listed in a directory at 15 Arundel Street, with an office at Crane Court, Fleet Street, London.  However, William Watson and trade ‘were not congenial associates’.  He abandoned silverplating to work at the Sheffield Banking Co, where he was ‘well fitted to preside genially over shareholders’ meeting, or to chat pleasantly and sympathetically with customers’ (Leader, 1916¹).  He became a director in 1858 and chairman from 1872 to 1886.  He died at his residence Firs Hill, Pitsmoor, on 31 January 1886.  His grave is at Ecclesall.

^1. Leader, R E, The Sheffield Banking Company Limited: An Historical Sketch (Sheffield, 1916)