James Gregory (1785-1861) was the son of James (a cutler and later partner in Gregory & Staniland) and his wife, Martha.  He was baptised at the parish church on Christmas Day 1785.  His first appearance in a Sheffield directory was in 1816 as a manufacturer of table knives and plated desserts at 29 Eyre Street.  In the 1820s, when he was still at Eyre Street, he also offered razors and razor strops.  His wife, Anna, died on 15 March 1822, aged 32, only a few months after giving birth to their son, John (1822-1900). 

By 1833, Gregory had relocated to Jehu Lane (soon to be renamed Commercial Street).  James may have occupied the premises of Gregory & Staniland, after his father’s death in 1831.  James had a brother, John, who died at Commercial Street ‘after a lingering illness’ on 23 May 1838, aged 44.  Possibly they had worked together.  In 1842, the business became bankrupt.  The auction advertised:

commodious DWELLING-HOUSE, with the Warehouses, Workshops, Yard, and Stable adjoining ; and also Four other Tradesmen’s DWELLING-HOUSES, contiguous thereto, let to respectable Tenants, the whole being centrally situate in the Town of Sheffield aforesaid, at the bottom of Norfolk Street, having an extensive front to Jehu lane and Baker’s hill, the Site whereof contains 448 Superficial Square Yards, or thereabouts.  The above commodious Dwelling-House, with the Warehouse, Workshops, Yard, and Stabling, are well adapted for a Manufacturer, or for Business connected with the Sheffield Markets, commanding many advantages, and is in one of the best Situations in the Town of Sheffield being near to all the Markets … (Sheffield Independent, 7 October 1843).

In the Census (1851), James was described as a ‘retired cutlery manufacturer’, living at Gloucester Terrace, Broomspring Lane, with son John and his daughters, Anna and Elizabeth.   James died at Devonshire Street on 4 April 1861, aged 75.   He was buried at St Paul’s churchyard.   His son, John, became a mercantile clerk and later worked in a warehouse.