John, Thomas & James Best
Thomas Best, a maker of silver and plated table knives in Howard Street, registered a silver mark in 1817. During the 1820s, his address was 45 Howard Street. He died of an ‘apoplectic fit’ on 11 October 1821, aged 47, and was buried in St James’s graveyard. By 1837, the Howard Street enterprise had become John, Thomas & James Best, merchants, table knife manufacturers, and horn dealers. Little is known of the partners: however, James Best died on 18 May 1837 and was buried in St James’s churchyard. The business ceased trading after 1845.