Post Office Directory - 1848
Published by Kelly and Co., of Temple Bar, London

Click here to return to the index of directories

RUSHDEN may be considered as an appendage to Higham Ferrers, from which it is distant 1 mile, but forms a distinct parish; its area is about 4,000 acres and its population, in 1841, was 1,311. The inhabitants are chiefly employed in boot and shoe making for the manufacturers at Higham Ferrers and Wellingborough. The living is a rectory, valued at £400 yearly, and in the gift of the Lord Chancellor; the rector is the Rev. George Edward Browne, M.A. Rushden is a large and rather handsome place, and stands high. It is named in Domesday Book, and was afterwards a seat of the Dukes of Lancaster. The church, formerly collegiate, is named after the Virgin Mary, and consists of a nave, north and south aisles, north and south transepts, choir, and three porches. It has a fine tower, and crocketed spire, nearly 200 feet high from the ground, and holding a peal of six bells. There is some carved screen work, three sedilia, stained glass, a carved seat, and other relics of ancient art. There are tombs to the families of Pemberton, Ekins, Fletcher and Williams. There is a small chapel for Wesleyans, and two for Baptists. Rushden hall is a very fine old mansion, in the Elizabethan style, formerly belonging to the Pembertons. An old lantern, called Guy Faux's lantern, is shown. There is a small collection of natural history. There are some peculiar customs as to ringing bells on pan-cake day and at seed-time.
Post Office Directory 1848
Gentry	Traders	Traders
Bolton Mr. Thomas	Adcock James, farmer	Linnit William, grocer
Burgess Willam esq	Aychurch Amos, miller	Maddock Whitbread, boot & shoe maker
Downe Rev. George Edward, M.A	Aychurch William, farmer	Manning Alfred, farmer
Hancock Mrs. Admiral, Hall	Baker Henry, shopkeeper & beer retailer	Margets John, mason
Kidgel Mr. John	Bayes Joseph, mason	Margets Thomas, mason
Sargeant Charles, esq	Bolton George, rush matting manufacturer	Marshall William, farmer
Sartoris F. U. esq Hall	Burgess John, boot & shoe maker	Mason Michael, farmer & malster
Smith Mrs. Eliza	Chapman Thos. woolstapler & beer retailer	Miller William, farmer
Smith Mrs. Mary	Chettles Joseph, draper	Moore Mrs. Louisa, milliner & dressmaker
Spencer Mr. George	Clark William, carpenter	Moore Thomas, carpenter
	Clements John, carrier	Packwood George, tailor & druggist
	Cooke John, farmer	Packwood Joseph, parish clerk
	Corby John, beer retailer	Packwood Thomas, post master
	Curtis John, wheelwright	Parker Josiah, grocer
	Darnell Frederick, butcher	Pasilow Richard, wheelwright & beer rtailer
	Darnell, James S. butcher	Presland William, druggist
	Day George, farmer	Radburne John, grocer & draper
	Denton Benjamin, leather cutter	Rice Daniel, "Wheat Sheaf"
	Dickins Daniel, farmer	Rice William, farmer
	Ellerd James, shopkeeper	Robinson John, farmer
	Elstow Samuel, who. boot & shoe manuf'r	Rooksby Walter, farmer
	Facey John, blacksmith	Rootham James, baker
	Fisher Nicholas, farmer	Sharp Daniel, leather cutter
	Foskett Mrs. Mary Ann, shopkeeper	Sherwood William, boot & shoe maker
	Franklin George, farmer	Skinner George, butcher
Churches & Chapels	Green Joseph, miller	Skinner Morris, grocer
Church Rev. George Downe, M.A. , rector	Gross John, farmer	Smith John, boot & shoe maker
	Hewitt James, watch & clock maker	Smith William, tailor
Wesleyan Chapel ministers various	Higgins Joseph, baker & beer retailer	Sykes Owen, butcher
	Knight James, clothier	Sykes Thomas, cattle dealer
Baptist (Calvinistic) Rev. Charles Drawbridge, minister	Knight John, boot & shoe maker	Tailby George, wheelwright
	Knight Joseph, grocer & baker	Turrell Samuel, blacksmith
Baptist chapel Rev. Jonathan Whittemore, minister	Knight Samuel, carpenter	Whiting Morris, "Waggon & Horses"
	Leete Mrs. Mary, "Coach & Horses"	Whittemore Jonathan, printer
	Lenton Henry, cornfactor
Post Office - Thomas Packwood, post master. Letters arrive by foot post from Higham Ferrers, morning 9, dispatched evening 5

Click here to return to the index of directories