The first Wilson to come to Sharrow Mills was Thomas, a shearsmith, who rented the water wheel and buildings from the Duke of Norfolk in 1737.

He was followed by his son Joseph, a silversmith, who was associated with Boulsover in the manufacture of the first Sheffield Plate.

Joseph carried on the trade and various others such as scythe-making, at Sharrow Mills but sometime in the 1730's he came into possession of the secrets of snuff making. In 1746 a fire at the Mills destroyed some of his stock-in-trade which included 'tobacco snuff'.

By 1750 the snuff business had become the most important part of Joseph's activities at Sharrow Mills and it was at this time that he started making S.P., for which Sharrow has been famous ever since.   

                                                   The Old Water Powered Mill 

A further six generations of the Wilson family have followed Thomas at Sharrow Mills and the business which is now known as Wilsons & Co. (Sharrow) Ltd. is still wholly owned and run by members of the Wilson family.

Steam-power was introduced in 1797 and the capacity of the mills has been gradually increased over the years but the water wheel is still working, deriving its power from the little river Porter.

Sharrow snuffs were originally sent out in barrels, boxes and bladders. Today a wide range of packing, the most popular being 5, 10 and 25gr. tins, is available and snuff is made in an increasing number of flavours.