Research and article by Richard Hall, 2017

William Presland and George F. Packwood are listed in both the Kelly’s Directory of 1847 and also 1854 and in the 1851 Census. Presland calls himself a Druggist and Packwood a tailor and druggist.

William Presland is shown in the 1851 Census as a retired surgeon living in the High Street and born in 1767 so presumably his druggist business provided some income in his old age. In the 1841 Census he is also living in the High Street and is shown as having independent means. He died aged 91 and was buried on January 15th 1858 at Rushden St Mary's Church.

George Frederick Packwood was born in Rushden in 1817, son of Joseph and Elizabeth Packwood. Joseph was the parish clerk. George married Elizabeth Eady at Chelveston in 1843. In the 1851 Census George Packwood was living in Church Lane and gives his occupation as a Tailor and his wife Elizabeth, from Chelveston, a Dressmaker. By the 1861 Census he had apparently given up the business and is shown as a Relieving Officer although his wife was still dressmaking.

In the 1871 and 1881 Censuses he had become the Registrar of Births & Deaths and was living at 77 High Street and his wife is shown as Registrar’s wife. He died in February 1885. His son George, a schoolmaster, died just 3 months later, and both are buried in Rushden Cemetery.