Rushden Research Group: George Selwood

Mr. George Selwood

George Selwood

George Selwood was born in Portsmouth in 1858, son of John, a boot maker, and Elizabeth. He had two older sisters, Sarah, and Martha, a brother Robert, and a baby brother Harry aged 4 months, when the family was living at 37 Jacobs Street, in St Paul’s area of the town in 1861. Eliza joined the family in 1864, then sadly their father died aged 54 in 1868.

George came to Rushden about 1880 to work as a clicker, and was lodging in High Street with Rebecca, widow of Whitbread Maddock, next door to the family of her son Thomas Maddock and his wife Sarah A. Sarah Jane was their eldest child (born 25th September 1861), and she had two brothers and two sisters.

At the Old Baptist Church on 19th April 1883, George Selwood 24 bachelor, clicker, son of John, deceased shoemaker, married Sarah Jane Maddock, 21 spinster, daughter of Thomas, shoemaker. They had two children, Harry B 19th November 1888 and Grace in 1890. In June 1899 a young son William Ewart was born, but buried aged just 4 months in October, at Rushden Cemetery.

Grave B939: In loving memory of William Ewart child of G & S SELWOOD born Jun 22 died Oct 24 1899.

In 1890 George started to build his business in a small factory in Harborough Road. He lived in Park Road in 1891, and was now a manufacturer of boots and shoes. [at 3 Harborough Road in 1901 - the corner with Park Road]

The note (below) was found in the front of an old book in which George had written several notes about his business affairs.

Names of Fruit Trees Set in 1893 Oct 28^th
No 1	Cox Orange Pippin
No 2	Mere de Menage
No 4	Cellini Pippin
No 5	Green gage
No 6	Victoria plum
No 7	Prince Albert
No 8	Lord Suffield
No 9	Manks Codlin
No 10	New Haw thornden

Written inside the front of an old company ledger book

George took Mr Frank J Sharwood into the company in 1893, as a partner, and soon a first extension to the building was necessary, then another larger extension was added.

George's nephew Frank Selwood, born in Scotland, joined the firm as a clerk, and was living with the family. He was the son of George's older brother Robert, who was in the Royal Navy aged 19 in 1871.

In 1881 Robert was living at Belhelvie, Aberdeenshire, at the Coast Guard Station, where worked as a boatman. Aged 29 and married to Emily aged 33, and they had a daughter Nellie Maud aged 3 and son Francis E aged 4 months.

Frank became the firm's representative.

In 1902 plans were passed and he built a new house in Newton Road, opposite the school there, towards the main cemetery gates.

Frank Selwood 1916

View towards the cemetery from Elmham c1905


1902 the new house roof timbers awaiting tiles Elmham in front had recently been completed	116 Newton Road (now 122) Built in 1902 - Harry lived here later.

Harry B Selwood

Harry, his son, joined the company as a partner in 1909, now trading as George Selwood & Co. Output had doubled by 1910, and a branch was opened at Higham Ferrers.

A new factory was built in 1914 at the top of Harborough Road, near the lower cemetery gates.

During the war his son Harry enlisted and at the end of the war he joined the firm once more. The company flourished.

George joined the Independent Wesleyan Church and was also a Rechabite.

Rushden Echo, 15th March 1918, transcribed by Kay Collins

Piscatorial—Mr. W. B. Sanders, Mr. G. Selwood, and Capt. Vann, fishing at Radwell yesterday week, caught ten pike in three hours, the aggregate weight being over 40lbs. The largest fish scaled over 10lbs.

George died in 1931 aged 73, and Sarah died in 1946 aged 84. They are buried together in Rushden cemetery.

Grave F287/88: In ever loving memory of George beloved husband of Sarah Jane SELWOOD who fell asleep December 12th 1931 aged 73 years. The eternal God is our refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms. Also Sarah Jane SELWOOD entered into rest April 13th 1946 aged 84 years. I know that my Redeemer liveth. (vase) ---

In 1941 a letter was sent to their customers when their premises were taken over by the RAF. They moved to share the Oakley Road factory of Allebone & Sons, for the duration of WWII.

The firm ceased trading during the decline of shoemaking, and the factory had been used by various trades before eventual demolition in 1995.

His obituary