Harvey Meadows (born in March, Cambridgeshire), a fishmonger and Jane his wife were married in Northamptonshire in 1862, and were living in High Street, Rushden in 1871 with their son Vawse, a scholar aged 7. John Vawser Meadows gave his birth place as Rushden when he enlisted into the Navy in 1881.
Jane Meadows died in 1879 aged 35. Harvey married Sarah Ann Elliott 6 months later. In January 1884 their son Henry Elliott Meadows was baptised at St. Mary's Church, Rushden. Harvey died in 1909.
John Vawser Meadows, son of Harvey, fishmonger, and Jane, was born in Rushden, in 1863 and
was baptised at St Mary’s Church in May 1877, when his father was recorded as a general dealer.
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Thomas Ratley and his wife Annie had come to Rushden from Yardley Hastings in about 1886, and their son Thomas Ernest was born here in 1888, and a daughter Mabel was born the following year. The family were living in Co-op Row, but soon moved to Essex Road. Ernest became a fish salesman by
the age of 13, and eventually took a share in the firm Meadows & Rattley with Henry Elliott Meadows son
of the founder Harvey Meadows.
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Meadows and Rattley's shop (left) stood between Arthur Robinson's beerhouse and Charlie Robinson's newsagents, at 17 High Street.
Henry Elliott Meadows and Thomas Ernest Rattley were the partners.
Harry lived in Little Street, and Ernest lived in Irchester Road.
The board above the window reads 'Fish, Rabbit & Poultry Salesmen.'
The cart below declares them to be "Fish & Ice Merchants" and adverts are in Kelly's Directory 1910 and 1914.
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Postcard c1912
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Note the window front has been removed and the counter extended with boxes
before making this display of all the fresh fish - from D H Young, Milford Haven.
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This fine cart was built by F Brazier of Higham Ferrers |
Rushden Echo, 8th February 1918, transcribed by Kay Collins
Rescued—Mr. E. Rattley, formerly fish merchant at Rushden, was one of the soldiers on board a recently-torpedoed vessel, but fortunately, after being in the water two hours, clinging to a raft, he was rescued.
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Rushden Echo, 27th June 1919, transcribed by Kay Collins
T E Rattley, having been demobilised, is now continuing his business as fish merchant.
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Rushden Echo, 7th November 1919, 12th December 1919
T E Rattley, fish merchant, of 174 Wellingborough-road, Rushden, will have a stall on the Green, Rushden, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, from 8.30a.m. to 1 o’clock. Good selection of wet and dry fish at lowest possible prices.
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Rushden Echo, 30th July 1920
Cheap Fish—Come to Rattley, 174 Wellingborough-road, also on the Green on Saturday. Cod 8d.lb., Plaice 10d.lb., Smoked Haddock 1/-lb. A good supply of Mackerel. A large consignment arriving on Saturday.
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