The White House Rushden loses a remarkable and courtly figure by the death of Mr. James Frederick Knight, who passed away suddenly at 11.15a.m. on Thursday at his residence, The White House, Grove-road. Aged 85 years, Mr. Knight was Rushden’s oldest tradesman, having been in business in high-street since 1885. He spent part of Wednesday afternoon at his jewellery shop and was apparently in his usual health on Thursday morning before a heart attack occurred. The son of a jeweller and practical clock and watch-maker, Mr. Knight was born at Earls Barton, but moved at the age of 10 to Northampton, where his father opened a business in Marefair. Mr. Knight presently joined his brother Alfred in the business of Knight and Son, Mercers-row. Moving to Rushden in 1885, he established a jewellery business in High-street and shortly afterwards bought the adjacent bank premises at the corner of Coffee Tavern-lane, then extending his business to house furnishing. Church Work As a young man Mr. Knight often attended services at the City Temple, London. At Rushden he at once associated himself with the old Baptist Top Meeting, becoming a Sunday School teacher and Bible Class leader. As the years passed he was seen as a leading and revered figure in both church and Sunday School, noted for his generosity and his ideal qualities as a host. He took a great part in paving the way for the erection of the present church, served the Finance Committee for many years, and was a vice-president of the choir and treasurer of the Recreation Club. At the annual church finance meetings he was always the chief speaker, and on many other occasions his kindly wit and apt expression was looked forward to with pleasure. Mr. Knight was for many years active in the Liberal cause, chairman of the Rushden Nursing Association and a vice-president of Rushden Choral Society. His wife died about ten years ago, and there are four children, Mr. A. S. Knight, Mrs. John Harris (Argentine), Miss Marjorie Knight and Mr. Geoffrey Knight, R.A.F. The interment will take place in Rushden cemetery at 11.15 on Saturday morning, following a service at the house.