Joseph Barwick was a watchmaker, born at Irchester, and he was trading in Rushden High Street in 1891. His daughter Elizabeth was a draper's assistant, then aged 17, and Thomas Tinkler, aged 25, was a boarder with him, and working in the business.

1906 advert

Three years later Elizabeth was married, to Thomas Tinkler, at Melton Mowbray where Thomas had been born in 1862. He too was a watchmaker and jeweller.

Joseph had left the jewellery business by 1901 and was living at 4 Griffith Street, and employing others in his new business as a shoe machine sewer, trading as A E & G Barwick (his son George and daughter-in-law Ada E) in Park Place.

Rushden Echo, 30th Oct 1908, & 1st January 1909 T.E.Tinkler, practical watchmaker and jeweller, removed to the Old Restaurant, opposite Succoth Chapel.

Thomas and Elizabeth with their children, and Dulcie 6 and Avise 1, were running the business at 125 High Street. Elizabeth died in 1905. In 1908 he married Laura, and in 1909 moved his business to 69 High Street, the former restaurant of William Walker.

The family moved to Harrold in 1910, and Albert Victor Wanklyn and his wife Sarah Jane took over the business. Their son Stanley Wanklyn had taken over by 1928, and he moved across to 54 High Street. It was taken over by Percy House in 1952.