William Harwood (1766-1826)
of William Harwood & Sons, Hardware Merchants & Manufacturers, Sheffield
He was likely born in Sheffield and in the 18th century appeared in early directories variously as a blacksmith, ironmonger and merchant. From the 1790s to 1817, he was a hardware merchant in the firm of Harwood & Thomas at Market Place and then George Street; and, a partner in the firm of Harwood, Johnson & Thomas, manufacturers of lancets, razors, and fine cutlery in Howard Street and then Arundel Street. Their trade mark was listed as "Harwood & Co." and their silver mark was registered in 1801. Harwood was also involved in pen-knife manufacturers Samuel Bennett & Co and between 1818 and 1822 was a partner in Watson, Pass & Co, silver platers. By 1818, William Harwood was listed as a merchant and factor in Norfolk Street and by 1822, the business had become known as William Harwood & Sons, wholesale silver and hardware manufacturers who exported to Jamaica, Bermuda, Baltimore and Montreal.
In 1791, at St. Peter's Cathedral, Sheffield, William married Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Unwin of Sheffield, and they were the parents of ten children. Soon after their marriage Mrs Harwood became a staunch Methodist and William is interred at Carver Street Methodist Chapel where his tomb still stands in the chapel yard (fronting West Street).
NB., there is an incorrect ancestral line attached to this William Harwood on Geni.com that states that he was born in Virginia to the notable family of that name there. While nothing is known of his antecedents and his exact place of birth is unknown, there is nothing that suggests he had familial ties with the Virginia Harwoods. Furthermore, the William Harwood born in Virginia in 1766 died there in 1829. This William Harwood died in Sheffield in 1826 and in order to accommodate him into the Virginia line his wife's name has been changed to "Elizabeth Glanville". The Elizabeth Glanville who married William Harwood of Virginia was born in 1774 and died in 1834. Mrs William Harwood of Sheffield was - and has always been - Elizabeth Unwin (1768-1847), daughter of Robert Unwin of Sheffield. For a detailed account of the Harwoods in Sheffield, click here.
In 1791, at St. Peter's Cathedral, Sheffield, William married Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Unwin of Sheffield, and they were the parents of ten children. Soon after their marriage Mrs Harwood became a staunch Methodist and William is interred at Carver Street Methodist Chapel where his tomb still stands in the chapel yard (fronting West Street).
NB., there is an incorrect ancestral line attached to this William Harwood on Geni.com that states that he was born in Virginia to the notable family of that name there. While nothing is known of his antecedents and his exact place of birth is unknown, there is nothing that suggests he had familial ties with the Virginia Harwoods. Furthermore, the William Harwood born in Virginia in 1766 died there in 1829. This William Harwood died in Sheffield in 1826 and in order to accommodate him into the Virginia line his wife's name has been changed to "Elizabeth Glanville". The Elizabeth Glanville who married William Harwood of Virginia was born in 1774 and died in 1834. Mrs William Harwood of Sheffield was - and has always been - Elizabeth Unwin (1768-1847), daughter of Robert Unwin of Sheffield. For a detailed account of the Harwoods in Sheffield, click here.
Share
Contributed by Mark Meredith on 19/06/2019 and last updated on 10/02/2024.