George Smith III and William Fearn became partners in 1786 and remained so until around 1792. The maker's initials for William Fearn first appeared around 1772, although he was apprenticed to Thomas Chawner in 1762. George Smith III and George Smith IV were father and son. It is believed that William Fearn was made bankrupt in 1777. Later he also worked with William Eley and William Chawner.