Razor Manufacturing 1866. Source: Picture Sheffield.
Henry Wragg was one of the three sons of William Wragg, who set up the business of William Wragg and Sons, razorsmiths. After William’s death in 1854 Henry’s brothers left and established their own business, Wragg Brothers, while Henry continued to run the original business. Although Henry is recorded as employing 17 men in 1881, as well as his three eldest daughters, listed as ‘cutlers’ in the 1881 census, it was clearly always a struggle to turn a profit. Fire was a frequent hazard in the closely packed buildings of Hollis Croft where they lived and worked. Henry’s business suffered from two devastating fires, in 1877 and 1887, each time losing most of the stock, which although insured, must have taken time to replace, doubtless causing some hardship. Also in 1877 Henry and his wife suffered a personal tragedy. Their eldest son William had joined the Royal Navy but was killed in an accident on board his ship at the age of 18. Henry died in 1894, leaving £264 to his family, while the firm to which he had given his life ceased trading. He was buried in E1 188, in the Anglican area with his wife Sarah, two infant children, and an adult son. The stone was moved during the clearance and is now behind the Samuel Worth Chapel, but inaccessible.