Many of you will have seen old postcards and photographs of Rushden, Higham and district taken by S. Powell.
Rushden Argus 13th March 1891, extracted by Ann Cooper
MARRIAGE - At the Parish Church, Higham Ferrers on Thursday morning a marriage was celebrated between Mr. S. Powell, photographer, Northampton and Rushden and Miss Polly Thompson, third daughter of Mr. J. Thompson, agent to Mr. G. W. Fitzwilliam. There was a large congregation to witness the ceremony, which was performed by the Rev. Jas. Dunn, vicar and was pronounced the prettiest wedding that has taken place in the church for a long time. A large party sat down to the wedding breakfast at the bride's home.
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Public or Private
S. POWELL
Is now open for engagements for this season's Special Entertainment.
Subject: PARIS EXHIBITION,1889
Illustrated with a grand collection of beautifully-painted views by a Parisian Artist, including a Panorama of the Exhibition, with a brilliant effect of the Eiffel Tower.
For terms, apply
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The Argus, 20th Dec 1889, transcribed by Kay Collins
Congregational Church, Rushden
On Thursday and Friday, December 26th and 27th
A Sale of Work and Christmas Tree
to be opened each day at two o'clock.
Thursday evening at six, Mr. Powell will exhibit his magnificent lime-light apparatus, illustrating the Paris exhibition and other views.
Music will be provided each evening.
Admission by ticket : Thursday from 2 to 6, 6d., from 6 to close, 3d. Friday 3d. children 2d.
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| From Research Notes kindly given by Hazel Baxter , granddaughter of Samuel Powell.
John Powell married Mary Bill on 25th December 1849 at St. Giles' Church, Rowley Regis, Dudley, Staffordshire. They had 5 children, Catherine, Elizabeth, Abraham, Samuel and John Thomas whilst living in Rounds Green, Oldbury, Warwickshire. By 1870 they had moved to Dallington where Cornelius was born, and when their last child Lily was born in 1873 they were living in Northampton.
Samuel Powell was born 5th May 1862 and his brother John Thomas in 1866. Both became photgraphers, Samuel in Rushden in 1889, and John in Northampton.
In March 1891 Samuel married Florence "Polly" Thompson at Higham Ferrers. Polly was born 25th August 1867, in Masborough, Kimberworth, York, the daughter of James & Mary Ann (nee Newborn). Sam and Polly had a daughter Edna Florence Gertrude on 11th July 1904. Polly died in Wellingborough in 1917.
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Samuel Powell
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Florence & Edna c1910
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Sam & Edna c1916
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On 27th April 1929 Edna was married to William Jessop Baxter (born Kettering) at All Saints Church in Wellingborough.
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(l-r) Samuel Powell, Kath Whiffen, Edna & William, ?,
Beatrice Baxter, Charles Baxter - 27 April 1929
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The Business
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The first three shops in this row c1908 are Taylor's newsagents and conectioners, Arthur Smith hairdresser and tobacconist and Samuel Powell photographer. Right is Bates' fish shop.
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Wellingborough News, 20th May 1887
Ferndale Photographic Studio
Rushden.
J. POWELL
HAS the pleasure to announce that he has opened the above studio, which is built in an excellent locality, where an unobstructed north light is obtained, thus giving the best possible effect for Portraiture; it is fitted with all the latest improvements, with special appliances for Groups, and Instantaneous Portraiture for Children.
Mr. POWELL will attend every Monday and Saturday and begs to invite inspection of Large Work at the Studio.
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Temperance Band - On the back it says "Taken Sept. 1887"
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Samuel Powell Advert
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John Powell Advert
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1889 advert
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Rushden Argus, 10th Feb 1893
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In 1900 Mr Powell had suffered a fire at his shop. He rented three shops and lived above them, using one shop as his studio and letting one to Mr J Buckle.
Rushden Echo, 23rd July 1909, transcribed by Kay Collins
Search Lights—To make a fitting finale to the united school treats at Rushden yesterday week, Mr. S. Powell, photographer, had some effective illuminations with the aid of a search-light at about 9.30p.m. From the balcony above his shop, Mr. Powell threw the search-light on to the Parish Church, the bank, and other buildings, making them stand out with conspicuous clearness in the dusk. When the passenger train passed over the railway bridge, Mr. Powell directed the light in that direction, considerably startling the engine driver and the passengers for the moment.
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