The town of Rushden will lose one of its most familiar figures in the death, which took place on Sunday morning last, of Mr. Jeremiah Litchfield, proprietor of the Old Curiosity Shop. Deceased was 74 years of age.

  A native of Rushden, the late Mr. Litchfield, when he was a young man, removed to the metropolis, finding employment at the General Post Office as a porter. Conscientious in the discharge of his duties he won promotion and was moved into the sorting department, subsequently going to Somerset House. He remained in the service for over 30 years, and then he unfortunately met with an accident on the railway, his leg being injured permanently.

  Retiring on a pension – which he enjoyed altogether for 22 years – he returned to Rushden and opened a shop in High-street for the sale of antiquities and curiosities – the shop now occupied by Mrs. Pabst, tobacconist.  He subsequently removed to a shop further along High-street, now in the occupation of Mr. Beaverstock, pawnbroker.  A few years ago he made a further move and took premises in Church-parade, a part of the shop formerly occupied by Mr. C. F. Tall, draper.

  In the summer-time he was frequently to be seen sitting at his shop door, and he always had a cheery word for passers-by.  The deceased was a Conservative, and at one time was a member of the Conservative Club.  Just lately his health had begun to fail him, but it was not until a week or so before his demise that the symptoms became serious. 

The Interment

took place at the Rushden Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon, the body being enclosed in a polished elm coffin with brass fittings, the inscription on the breastplate being :-

JEREMIAH LITCHFIELD,
Died Feb. 28, 1909
Aged 74 years.

  The Rev. E. G. Betenson (Curate) read the burial service in St. Mary’s Church and also conducted the service at the grave-side.

  The principal mourners were as follow :-

  Mrs. Clark (daughter) and Mr. T. Litchfield (son).

  Miss Alice Litchfield (daughter) and Mr. Albert Clark (grandson).

  Master George Clark, Miss Lily Clark, and Master Thomas Litchfield (grandchildren).

  Mrs. Freeman (sister) and Mr. J. Litchfield (nephew).

  Mr. W. Freeman (nephew) and Mrs. T. Litchfield (daughter-in-law).

  Mr. T. Parker (brother-in-law) and Mrs. Robinson (cousin).

  Mr. S. Parker (nephew) and Miss Bailey (cousin).

  Mr. Partridge, Mr. C. Parker, and Mr. Browning (friends).

  Messrs. Whittington and Tomlin, of Queen-street, were the undertakers.

The Wreaths

bore the following inscriptions :-

  In deepest sympathy, from his sorrowing wife and family.  “Gone to rest.”

  From Sister Kate and family.  “Peace, perfect peace.”

  In remembrance of our dear granddad, from his grandchildren.  “Gone, but not forgotten.”

  With deepest sympathy, from his nephew and niece, Mr. and Mrs. J. Litchfield, jun., and family.

  In memoriam and kindest sympathy, from Mrs. Susan Litchfield.

  In loving memory, from Alf, Betty, and Alice.  “Thy will be done.”

  With kind remembrances and sincere sympathy from Mrs. Evans and family.

  A token of respect from the Conservative Association, Rushden.

  With sympathy from all at Rushden House.

  A spray from a friend.