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1601
In the will of Marten Tuck, among other bequests: “I give to the poor people of Rushden, Higham and Knotting the £5 which John Peate of Knotting oweth me, to be equally divided amongst the same poor. I give to Laurence Noeyght my doublett off my back, two pairs of stockings, one pair of nether stockes, one jerkin that is off my back”.
1640
The will of Sir Lewis Pemberton, the last Pemberton to live at the Hall: “To my daughter Dorothy £300. To my other daughters which are married, £10 a piece to buy them rings with the inscription, ‘Love one another’. To the poor of Rushden 20 nobles to be paid within 6 months of my death. The executors to sell my Mansion in Rushden commonly called Hall House, garden, closes, orchards, cottages etc. together with the parsonage of Rushden.”
1644
Thomas Britton, the “small coalman”, was born.
1649
A Parliamentary survey of the Manor of Rushden, previously in the possession of Charles Stuart, later King of England, was made for the purpose of sale.
1678
Thomas Britton formed a musical club at his lodgings in Clerkenwell. It was attended by leading musicians of the day.
1682
Repairs to the fabric of St.Mary’s Church, both inside and outside, were made and new fittings were bought. The old silver pattern was changed for one which would hold a penny loaf, a cushion with a silk fringe for the pulpit and a new carpet for the communion table made of green cloth with a green silk fringe were bought. The Church was whitewashed and the King’s arms painted.
1683
A description of the parsonage of Rushden; “Situated on the upper or southern part of the village, on rather an elevated site and inhabited by the Rev.William Holmes BA. It is a snug, thatched building and being genteelly fitted up within is rendered a commodious residence. The western portion, which is lower than the principal building, is a comparatively modern addition. A degree of considerable interest will be attached to this house by the admirers of genius.” The ‘genius’ being Daniel Whitby, the learned commentator on the Scriptures, who was born in the parsonage, his father being Rev.Thomas Whitby, the Rector.
1714
Thomas Britton died. He was apparently frightened to death by a friend playing a practical joke. Among the notables at his funeral was George Frederick Handel.
1718
More repairs to St.Mary’s Church were undertaken. The pinnacle of the steeple was repaired. The old iron vestry at the west end was pulled down and a new one built on the cross-aisle. New locks were put onto the parish chest, a book of Homilies and a linen cloth were purchased, the rubbish was cleared from the west end and the old cherubim were repaired.
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1745
In fear of the Jacobites, the plate and valuables at Rushden Hall were nailed under a floor board in the upper part of the house.
1771
In the midst of a violent storm of wind a fire broke out which destroyed houses, ricks of corn and hay, the property of different persons, to the value of £500. This unhappy accident was caused by two children playing with fire. They set light to straw in a barn belonging to a house in the principal street. The oldest child died in the flames and the other was preserved with difficulty. “This is to acquaint all charitable persons that they may be imposed upon by false persons going about to collect for the said fire. There is a person appointed to collect for the said fire with a letter signed by the Rev.Dr.Hill of Thorpe and the Rev.Bridges of Orlingbury.”
1772
“The poor sufferers of the fire return their hearty thanks to those who have contributed to their relief. They would have acknowledged their goodness sooner had they not waited for some money collected at a distance and which has only just arrived.”
1773
Robert Packwood was convicted of breaking into the house of William Sanders, a glover, and stealing two pairs of gloves, 1/6d in silver and 6d in halfpennies. He was sentenced to be privately whipped in Northampton and publicly in Rushden.
1781
To be sold by Auction by R.Hunt on the 29th March all household furniture and stock ion trade of Mr.Philip Ashton, grocer. Consisting of beds, bedsteads, blankets, tables, drawers, chairs and some kitchen furniture. All sorts of groceries, shelves, counters scales and weights. Also a copyhold messuage and outbuildings now in the occupation of P.Ashton. It is a good-accustomed shop and stands well for trade.
1784
Mary Packwood, by her last will: “Out of Jeffery’s lands to 5 old indigent inhabitants of Rushden £5.”
1786
Mrs Sarah Pedditt of Rushden was convicted at Northampton for reeling short or false yarn.
1794
William Presland, Rushden, states: “His skill in casting water is well known in many of the towns, though he is not so well known as Mr.Chambers (lately died). Numbers of persons not knowing their complaints, by bringing their morning urine have received information respecting their health and an immediate cure. He casts the waters free, his advice to the poor gratis.”
1799
To be sold by private contract: “A commodious dwelling house with a butcher’s shop and convenient offices. The above is eligibly situated for a butcher, Rushden being a large and populous village with a Turnpike Road through the same and a stage waggon to and from London every week.”
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