| Joseph Packwood was baptised at Rushden on 4th July 1795, son of John and Elizabeth. He became Parish Clerk of Rushden, and married Elizabeth from Irchester in about 1820, their son William being born in 1823.
William became a bricklayer's labourer, but he left Rushden in the early 1840s. He was soon in Lancashire, and there he met and married Phoebe Burton in 1847. Their first five children were born in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, and after William's mother had died, the family returned to Rushden in about 1859 and they all lived with his father, Joseph, Phoebe being housekeeper to her father-in-law.
| Rushden Echo & Argus, 17th April 1931 |
demolished c1895/1900
|
|
A Bit of Old-Time Rushden
|
 |
|
|
|
Mr. and Mrs. Packwood
|
| It will need a person with a good memory to recognise in this rare photograph a piece of old Rushden. The thatched cottages, which were pulled down more than 30 years ago, stood near the spot now occupied by the stationmaster’s house, and at the time of the photograph had neither trains nor ’buses to shake their foundations. They were the home of one of Rushden’s oldest families—that of the late Mr. William Packwood, who was one of the best known figures in the town. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Packwood are also given. |
|
| Extract from Rushden Cemetery Memorial Inscriptions: Grave B 805/6: |
|
In loving memory of William Packwood died Oct 23rd 1894 aged 77 years. Also Phoebe wife of the above died Dec. 31st 1899 aged 76 years. Also of Richard William King grandson died March 16th 1898 aged 24 years. Thy will be done.
|
|
William and Phoebe's eldest son William [II] was born at Skelmersdale in 1855 and he became a bricklayer and he founded a business as William Packwood, builder and contractor. William senior died in 1894 and his wife Phoebe died in 1906.
William [II] married Frances Mary Crosby in June 1884, and two years later their son William Crosby Packwood was born. William Crosby joined his father in the business and it was re-titled about 1918 as 'William Packwood and Son'. Frances died in 1907 and William [II] died in 1933.
|
In 1903 William Packwood was the contractor to build a new school in Hayway.
| 1909 Cycle Parade & Gala |
 |
A Couple of Winners - Class 19 (decorated cart horses in harness) by Mr William Packwood, builder, contractor and carter, Newton Road, Rushden. These fine horses were awarded 1st & 2nd prizes.
|
|
Rushden Argus, 19th July 1912
William Sargent - Man Badly Crushed – Painful Injuries
A Rushden man named William Sargent, of Mannings-lane, met with a painful accident at Wymington on Tuesday night.
He was employed by Mr. Packwood, of Rushden, and was accompanying a motor wagon. We understand the unfortunate man was seated on the wagon and was shaken off and crushed between the vehicle and the engine.
Messrs. Church and Houghton, of Wymington, cycled to Rushden for Dr. Greenfield and the ambulance. The doctor arrived quickly and had the patient ready for conveyance to the Cottage Hospital by the time the wheeled litter arrived.
An examination showed that Sargent had sustained severe cuts about the head, hip, and bottom of the back. At first it was feared he was internally injured, but up to the time of writing it is believed that no bones are broken and that the injuries are not extremely dangerous.
Messrs. Frank and Fred Tobin, G. Faulkner, and E. Whitman, of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, were on the spot, and rendered first aid in a very creditable manner.
|
Two invoices - from a bundle stored on a 'spike' (a traditional way to keep receipts) for work for
Mr Joseph Knight, shoe manufacturer, at Rosemount, Irchester Road
|
 |
 |
|
1916 invoice for indoor work receipted by William
|
1917 in voice for roof repairs
|
William Packwood and Son traded at 80 Newton Road.
This invoice tells us that William Packwood & Son were:
Builders, Plumbers, Painters & Decorators
Coal Merchants, Gas, Electric Light and Bell Fitters
Contractors of H.M. Office of Works.
|
 |
|
An invoice dated 1937 - for removing a fireplace and redecorating the Front Room
|
 |
 |
|
above: 'Packwood Builders & Contractors Rushden' Patent No. 10825 manhole cover
right: another found at Higham Ferrers
|
|
