John Henry Roberts was born in Sheffield in about 1835, the son of James Roberts and his wife, Ann.  His father operated Roberts & Mettam, which was one of the leading horn cutting firms.   James’s sons – John Henry and Thomas – established themselves as Britannia metal and electro-platers at Shoreham Works, Shoreham Street.  Roberts & Co was active from about 1858 to 1867, when it was dissolved.   John Henry Roberts continued the business, but the firm was not listed by 1871.   In that year, John Henry was living in Talbot Place with his two sisters and told the Census enumerators that he had no profession.  His brother, Thomas, had died on 23 January 1870, aged 28.  John Henry, silver plater, Talbot Terrace, died on 17 December 1871, aged 36.  The brothers were buried in the General Cemetery’s in unconsecrated graves.  Shoreham Works was later occupied by R. M. Johnson & Co.