The note book of J E Smith R27, p11

The old Turnpike Road (Southwards) starting from Mannings-lane on the left towards Bedford, which I understand used to be very flooded in stormy weather, on the right there is Dial Farm. The late Mr Charles Bayes told me that some of the old coach horses used to be stabled there, and I believe the Rev. Chas Spurgeon preached in a field adjoining about the year 1866 – the time Mr George Day was farmer. On the left is so called “Manor Farm” and I fancy the house used be the “Manor House” for two reasons, one because of the old panelled room, which might have been the old Court-room, and because the only mention I have seen of Manor-house states that it was built in the reign of James I, the date 1606 (III James I) corresponds with that. The old-fashioned cottage on the right built in 1836 is picturesque. On the left against the first hill in the small grass (town) field where the cattle used to be shod on their way to the London markets; I am told that the sides of the road used to be in an awful state through so many beasts going along. In the Oak Pits (allotment) field near the second hill is where the brickworks used to be, and soon after passing the Wymington turn we come to where the old “Salt-box” stood on the left of the turnpike, near the north corner of the road to Newton. The toll-gate was called “Park-Leys side gate” and Benjamin Pettitt was keeper in 1821.

Then we come to “Bencroft” Hill (south of Rushden) and Bencroft Lodge on the right. A Mr Cooke lived here in 1852 when he presented an organ (the first) to Rushden Church. A coach was snowed up near this lodge, Mr Mole of Souldrop informed me that he saw it as he was walking from Riseley (when he then tried) to Wellingborough. H Luke’s Son and John Sharman lived at the lodge in 1814. Near the boundary of the county stood the old Westwood Tollgate house on the left, and on the opposite side was the Weighing Machine.

Mr Chas Bayes bought the gate and it was taken down on November 30 1876. A blacksmith (Mr A Ginns) cleared away the weighing machine. The old Tollgate house, like the Salt-box was a one storied building. The last keeper of Westwood gate was Mr George Bird.

The old road looked gay on the magnificently fine morning when hundreds of people went up to get a glimpse of the aeroplane which came on July 24^th 1911. It was a remarkable sight too, the day after the great blizzard which took place in March last (27^th & 28^th) to see so many telegraph poles lying across the highway. J Enos Smith, 22 Church St. August 4^th 1916 “Argus” [He probably wrote this article for the Argus newspaper. Ed]

p19

The Rushden Red Spring - I was very pleased your correspondent drew my attention to the source of the Rushden Brook. The tenant of the allotment where the Spring rises not only gave me permission

To see it, but he also explained it. It is in the north end of the “Oak-pits” in the valley about 25 yards from the hedge of the shoeing field. The sediment at the bottom of the spring and for several yards down to brook is of a reddish colour, and is certainly different to any other I have seen. I understand that it is medicinal, and a very good lotion for weak eyes. Many people have used the water as far back as 1868. The brook continues southward, but the water is quite ordinary above the spring.

We have read about Redwell at Wellingborough, and the healing properties of the water, and of King Charles staying there to drink of the same.

Why not have our “Red Spring” listed and analysed, and if valuable advertise it, and make Rushden equal to Bath, Buxton, Leamington, and other places?

Since this war we have found out the real value of many springs. Mr Smith the chemist, a gentleman very interested in “old” Rushden has kindly promised to analyse it. J Enos Smith (Appeared in “Argus” Friday August 11^th 1916)

p33

Rushden’s Old Crossroads – Oakley - As you well know from the bottom of Church Street to “Sanders Lodge” is called the Wellingborough Road. The Spinney along the Irchester-road (next to where Mr Chettle grocer lives is properly “Higham-lane Spinney” and the road from there to the Oakley Inn Higham Ferrers-lane. From the Oakley Inn to the Rushden Turnpike (north end) is Washbrook-road. The old name for Sanders’ Lodge is Hills’ Hovils!

From the latter place, under the Midland Railway, over “Skew Bridge” and Sidney Brook, to Higham Ferrers is the Wellingborough – Kimbolton Turnpike. From Mr John Mason’s, down past North-end Schools to the foot of Bancroft-hill is “Hayway” & has been so named for at least 90 years. The roads above named (except to Higham & Knuston) encircle the old “Moors” which has retained that name more than 400 years. I suppose the Oakley Hunt met there 60 or 70 years (the last time about 20 or 25 years ago). The roads also surround the Recreation Ground. This is interesting to me, as the parish, or town purchased what ought to have belonged to them, as it is the very land which was left towards the lighting of the Parish Church 380 years ago. Why was it lost?

All who went to a place of worship in those days went to the Parish Church, the only building. There were no Chapels then so I say the ground was left to the town for the Church. I expect the name of the Brook which is through the Recreation Ground is “Sidney Brook” (I do not know how it got that name) and those old willows are something to be proud of, especially being about the only spot where one can find a little shade on a hot, bright summer day in the Spencer Park.

It matters little what a brook, road, or wood is called, but let us keep the old names, at any rate those which have been handed down a hundred years or more. The word close by has always been called “The Moors”. It is a pity the Recreation Ground is not central. I should like to see one for young people up Southend.

p 41

The Old Road to “Newton” up Kirk-Lane - Commencing near the north Church gate we have the Vestry Hall, which stands on the site of the old workhouse, afterwards used as a school (one of the first in Rushden). I believe Mr Ebenezer knight, Mr Philips & Mr Cherry taught there. The present building was built in 1874 and there a great deal of the parish affairs have been settled, especially during the rapid growth of the place from a village to an important town. A toll-gate stood at the entrance to this road for a few years. The next building is the (so called) Clerk’s-house. Many people have complained about its position, projecting into the present roadway. When that was built I think it was about in a line with the land or hedge adjoining, as I remember a high bank, old hedge, and very often the soil rolling down into the street. When the land changed hands and the bank was cleared away and buildings erected and set back, it made the Clerk’s house look very bad and dangerous. It ought to have been set further back when built. Two or three cottages stood on the opposite bank, two of the latest tenants were Mr George Claridge and Mr John Knight. Then we come to what I call “Council Cross Roads.” On the right is Park-road; the old name was Back-way or Back-lane. The field “Pightles” up this road ought to have been secured for the Recreation Ground, as it was fairly central and had fine trees. The present name seems very inappropriate to the road. A stranger would expect it to lead to a park. Pightles-road (although not so easy) would have been much better. The road on the left to the station is Rectory-road. At the corner of Park-road stands the old Temperance Hall, where many of the first concerts were held. The site of this hall, to the Co-op premises used to be noted for cock-shooting (cock-fighting) on Shrive-Tuesday. This land was called “Butts-leys.” The land on the left belonging to the Council near the firs station used to be called the Noonday-bell Ground, as Adam Tirrell and Packwood had the use of it for ringing noon. In the Fire Station is the old carved stone taken from the old houses which stood in High-street, where the present Co-operative stores stand. Also on the left is the most important School in Rushden. So as the Newton-road stood an ancient School, and now one of the most modern. In this road, too, we have (near the entrance) the ancient (700 or 800 years old) (page 47) ??? “Names of the Past” or “Ha,,,,s of the Past” also the ancient & modern Council Buildings. Further up on the left is Tythe Farm, and on the opposite side is a narrow grass field, where, I am told, the cattle used to rest on their way to London. The roads leads into another road called Newton-road (from the turnpike).

P49

Rushden Church (The ‘Greene’ Rood) - Dear Sir, Regarding the reference to bequests to Rushden Parish Church mentioned in your last issue of the “Argus”. Of course no one can dispute such a great authority on Church furniture as Dr Cox, but if I may be allowed to pass an opinion it is this: that the reference to the Greene Roode simply meant a Rood (or the screen or loft on which it was placed) painted green. I do not see what else it can mean. “It was one and the same person who bequeathed four tapus to be fixed before the High Roode, and .... .... before the Greene Roode. In Rushden Church there is an arch called the “Bocher Arch,” because the name of Bocher (which really means Butcher) had it built. I suppose if a person the name of Green had had it built it might have been called the “Green Arch.” The Rood might have been presented by someone the name of Green, but I should doubt it, as Green is not an old Rushden  name by any means. I think it was simply painted green – nothing wonderful if it was, as no further off than Wymington Church may be seen an organ case painted green: rather an unusual colour for an organ. With regard to St. James Chapel in Rushden Church, I have reason to think it was the North transept, not either the north or south Chapels. A few weeks ago I tried to give a picture of Rushden Church and its services a hundred years ago. It would be a very different picture if I tried to give one of it as it was 400 years ago: although the same building, the interior presented a very different aspect then. I should think the church was in its beauty – all the beautiful carved work, stone & wood, standing out clearly, the inside of the old screen was beautifully carved as well as the outside. In those days I believe every window had stained glass, the roof too was exceedingly fine, a close [scan] of the magnificent west porch of Higham Ferrers Church will reveal what that was like 400 years. Nov. 1916. Joseph Enos Smith. The above account appeared in “Argus” dated Friday December 1^st 1916.

22^nd March 1773 - Robert Packwood tried at Northampton last Saturday March 20 by the Hon. Mr Justice Blackstone.

29^th March 1773 - Robert Packwood to be privately whipped.

26^th April 1773 - Richard Sargeant to be privately whipped at Northampton & publicly whipped at Rushden.

3^rd May 1794 - Enrolled in Northants Yeomanry (Wellingborough Dvision) Thomas Fletcher, Rushden, Cornet.

18 Sep 1795 - Rushden - Wanted for the service of the Navy a Volunteer for the Parishes of Ringstead & Rushden – a Bounty of £25 will be given by applying to the Churchwardens of the said Parishes.