In 1891 William was living in Spalding LIN, with his father William, a gardener, and his mother Isabella, and two sisters, Annie and Isabella. William was an apprenticed tailor, aged 18.

William Tomlinson had married Frances Mary Warner who was born in Finedon NTH in 1900. When the 1901 census was recorded, his wife was living back in Spalding with his parents. William was here in Rushden, setting up his own shop at 45 High Street, and had John Kitchin, aged 20, a tailor's cutter, boarding with him. He had started his tailoring business in Rushden at Beaconsfield Terrace, near the railway station about 1896.

1897 Advert

In 1898 Kelly's Directory tells he was at Beaconsfield Terrace.

C W Barker & Son - shoe makers & repairers were at 45 High Street c1922

45 High Street was William Tomlinson's tailor's shop in 1901. Behind the shop were wooden workshops lost in the 1901 fire. Extract: "In Mr. Tomlinson’s yard the heat was so terrific that it was impossible to remain there.  In Alfred-street a hydrant was used but the crowd had to keep towards the south end of the street in consequence of the heat." Next day: "We had tried a well of water in Tomlinson's yard with a view to getting at the fire from that side, and when the manual arrived we posted it near Mr. George Miller's and got a fair start from the town supply.

This coat hanger is clearly marked 45 High Street.

William Tomlinson and Frances Mary had a still born infant born in 1902. They had a daughter Frances Doreen in 1905.

In 1910 they moved to 88 High Street, and then Frances opened the next-door shop at 90 as a confectioners. About 1925 Frances took over both shops as her confectioners. She traded here until 1940, In 1956 she was at Hall Croft, Wymington Road.

William Tomlinson died in 1933 registered in Northampton and Frances Mary Tomlinson in 1956 also registered in Northampton.