Solomon Cadman (1742-1828), a cutler and factor, partnered his brother Peter Cadman Sen. and the latter’s son (Peter).  This ended in 1790.  Solomon was joined by a nephew, Edward Cadman (1763-1830), and John Ellis (c.1769-1819).  The latter may have been a relative, too, as Solomon had married an Ellis.  Leader (1905-6)¹ recorded that John Ellis was the son of Thomas (a gentleman of Hanover Square) and was apprenticed to David Cadman (to whom John’s father gave a premium of £30).  John Ellis was granted his Freedom in 1790.  Solomon withdrew in the following year.  

Between 1797 and 1810, Ellis & Cadman was listed in directories at 14 Allen Street as a manufacturer of razors (trade mark ‘NANKIN’) and table knives (marked ‘SPOLIO’).   The partners were John Ellis and Edward Cadman.  They ended their arrangement in 1810, when Ellis & Hilliard, a razor manufacturer, began trading from the same Allen Street address.  Presumably, this was John Ellis.  The other partner was Robert Harvey Hilliard (1783-1851).  

Ellis’s career was cut short.  He was travelling on the Lord Wellington coach on Sunday evening 10 October 1819, when it overturned near Kendal, Westmorland.  The coach had eleven passengers: those inside the vehicle escaped, but Ellis and a co-passenger on the outside were not so lucky.  One died immediately.  Ellis, who suffered broken legs and a severe head injury, died a couple of days later.  ‘A man of more industrious habits is rarely to be met with’, commented the Sheffield Mercury (quoted in Leeds Intelligencer, 25 October 1819).   The inquest jury accepted evidence that the horses’ reins had snapped and reached a verdict of ‘accidental death’.  A newspaper reported that his remains ‘were interred here yesterday morning’ (Westmorland Gazette & Kendal Advertiser, 16 October 1819).   Ellis & Hilliard, merchant and table knife and razor manufacturer, was liquidated in February 1820.   Robert Harvey Hilliard later moved to Scotland.  

^1. Leader, R E, History of the Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire in the County of York (Sheffield, 1905-6)