Possibly the oldest manufacturing silversmith in the world, the origin of this business having been established by Anthony Nelme c. 1680. Francis Nelme inherited the business on the death of his father in 1722 and continued until 1739 when Thomas Whipham took over the business. On his death in 1756, his son, Thomas Whipham Jr., took into partnership Charles Wright. Thomas retired in 1775 and the business was continued by Charles Wright. The business was amalgamated by Henry Chawner in 1786 and the latter son of Edward Barnard I became the foreman of the firm. Chawner was master to the first Edward Barnard I so that the connection of the Barnard family can be traced from 1773. In 1796, they went into partnership with John Emes who became the owner after the retirement of Chawner, maintaining Edward Barnard I as manager. Emes died in 1808 and his widow Rebecca took as partner Edward Barnard I. Rebecca Emes withdrew in 1829 and Edward Barnard I became the proprietor with his son Edward Barnard II, John Barnard and William Barnard, trading under the style Edward Barnard & Sons. After the retirement of Edward Barnard I the firm was continued by Edward Barnard II (1846 - 1851), John Barnard I (1846 - 1868), William Barnard (1846), Edward Barnard III (1868), Walter Barnard (1868 - 1903), John Barnard II (1868 - 1903), Michael Barnard (1896 - 1903), Stanley Barnard (1896 - 1903) and Robert Dubcock (1896). The firm was converted into a limited liability company in 1910 under the style Edward Barnard & Sons Ltd. In 1977, Edward Barnard & Sons Limited became a subsidiary of Padgett & Braham Ltd.