Fred Knight founded his shoemaking factory in 1870 at the age of 21. In 1877 Fred married MarciaMiss Elizabeth Bradfield, the only daughter of the late Rev. Robert Emms Bradfield, a notable pastor of the Rushden Baptist Church.
In 1888 he was Captain of the Fire Brigade when he bought the Old Rectory in about 1889. He extensively altered the property, adding a new frontage in 1897.
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Fred Knight and his wife Marcia with their children near the porch
of the Old Rectory - Courtesy of Clive Wood
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Extract from a note book of J.E.Smith
NRO Ref: 285P/300 (from a locally held copy)
1869 February 11th. The “Rectory House” sold. Bought by Mr John Gross for £500. This is where Mr Fred Knight now lives up Little Street (1927). Mr Knight told me he bought it of Mr Gross.
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The Old Rectory c1914. It was extended in 1897 by Fred Knight .
He also owned the shoe factory on the land behind.
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This photograph shows the large extended front which was built by Fred Knight in 1897; the rear part of the building being the oldest surviving part of the Old Rectory.
In 1933 the building was purchased by Mrs Annie Mather. Part of it was used from then until February 1940 as a maternity home and many babies were born there.
The house was divided into two and sold in 1951.
In the foreground of this picture, is a garden constructed in 1908, after some small stone cottages were demolished. It was built at Fred Knight's expense, to a design by the town surveyor, Mr William Madin, and after Fred died, it stood as a memorial to him.
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In one corner of the lawn
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The lawns looking to the rear of the Old Top Meeting Baptist Church
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The vegetable garden
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In 1908 Fred asked the town surveyor to design a garden for him, on a piece of land outside his home, where cottages had recently been demolished, and the road widened. After Fred's death, it was regarded as a memorial to him. [only two trees survive there today]
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