133 & 135 High Street - Courtesy of Clive Wood

George Stewart Mason was born at Rushden, on March 11th 1862, son of Stewart Mason, farmer, of Rushden. He was educated at Abington House School, Northampton.

He served articles with a solicitor, W H Simpson of Higham Ferrers, and qualified and was admitted in April 1885. George was made a partner in the business, and an office was opened at 135 High Street in about 1890.

In 1893 he married Edith Randall, and built a house in Hayway called Mason's Close.

He became town clerk at Rushden council in 1891 and continued when Urban status was granted in 1894, also having served on the School Board, and he was secretary to R & HF Gas Co Ltd.

George died in 1937. His brother John was an auctioneer and he died in 1932.

By 1956 the company was renamed as SIMPSON & MASON & WILSON & WILSON and remained here into the 1960s.

135 High Street - in somewhat neglected state c1970s before being taken by Studio 13 who moved here from 111 High Street c1990.