The death of the oldest native inhabitant of the town of Rushden, in the person of Mr Joseph Cumberland Knight, took place on Saturday at 6 Victoria-road, Rushden, the home of Mr Knight’s son, Mr Thomas Knight. Had Mr Knight lived another six years he would have reached the grand old age of 100, but death intervened before Mr Knight had actually reached the advanced age of 94, Mr Knight’s birthday falling in February.
Though a very well-known man about the town, Mr Knight was of a quiet, retiring disposition and was not actively interested in the public affairs of the town. It is rather interesting to note in this respect that Mr Knight’s father, the late Mr Ebenezer Knight, was a man keenly interested in anything touching the life of the town and people. He was an able preacher of the Baptist creed and for many years was a popular lay preacher. In addition to his interest in the Baptist cause, the late Mr Ebenezer Knight was an enthusiastic worker for the cause of temperance. The late Mr Joseph C Knight was also a regular attendant at the Park-road Baptist Church until his advancing age prevented this. Mr Knight had married twice, his second wife dying over 30 years ago, since which time he had lived with his son.
Born in the town, Mr Knight had lived here all his life, seeing the place grow from a tiny village to its present size. There are left to mourn their loss Mr Joseph Knight, of Rushden, the well-known manufacturer and temperance worker, Mr Charles Knight, of Willesden, Mrs Childs, of Islip, Mrs Dickens, of Rushden, and Mr Thomas Knight, of Rushden. There are many grandchildren.
The funeral took place on Tuesday, the Rev C J Keeler officiating. A short service was held at the house, followed by the committal service at the cemetery. The mourners were Mr and Mrs Thomas Knight (son and daughter-in-law), Mr Joseph Knight (son), Mrs Dickens (daughter), Mr Charles Knight, of Willesden (son), Mrs Willis, Mr L. Knight, Miss Ada Knight, Miss Rose Knight, Mr Fred Knight, Mrs Cunnington, Miss Childs, and Miss Rita Knight (grandchildren).
Music Printing at Rushden
The passing of the late Mr Joseph Cumberland Knight—writes Mr J Enos Smith, the organist of Rushden St Mary’s Church severs the connecting link between himself and the music printing business in Rushden which was carried on in the so-called Factory-yard, High-street South, under the proprietorship of the Rev Johnathan Whittemore, then minister of the Baptist Chapel.
Mr Herbert Lack says in his history of the Baptist Chapel (Page 23) that the factory formerly occupied by Mr Kidgell was converted into a printing office, and here the “Standard Tune Book” and “Baptist Messenger” were brought out. Mr Whittemore lost heavily on these undertaking.
Mr Knight told me many years ago that he as a boy worked in this printing firm. Was the book called the “Standard” or “Comprehensive” tune book? I found one in the British Museum years ago, but I could not find Rushden mentioned in it. A Mr Gauntlett, I believe, was editor of the book which was a composite of many tunes, and he was at one time, I think, the organist at Olney Parish Church.
Why I am specially interested in this is because we do not find many music printing firms in the country places, and the very first time I came through Rushden, on my way to Souldrop in 1873, when I was invited to play at the church, I was asked by the late organist, Mr Charles Cooke, of Riseley, to visit him at the house of Mr George Packwood (where Mr Marriott now lives) and he would meet me with his pony and trap. I had to wait a few minutes, and Mr Packwood .........................
When Mr G Packwood died, his son William had it, and after the latter died his widow called one day and gave this piece of type to me, thinking I might like it. The setting of it has the tune “Hail! Smiling Morn! Set to sacred words by Mr Whittemore.
(The piece of music reproduced is a middle portion of the glee referred to. The type is very distinct in spite of the long time which has elapsed since it was made. The vocal part of the glee is in the top four lines, the first being the treble, the second the alto, the third the tenor, and the fourth the bass. The last two lines of music bracketed are, of course, the accompaniment. The reproduction is from the original plate over 70 years old, kindly lent to us by Mr J Enos Smith.)
