Rushden Research Group: Clark, Linnitt & Co

Clarke, Linnitt and Co.

William Clarke was born in 1842, son of William, a journeyman carpenter and Sarah (b great Harrowden).

He married Catherine (nee Chamberlain) at Wellingborough, the banns having been called at Rushden, in October 1865.

William was a clicker and Catherine a lacemaker. They lived at 4 Cambridge Place in 1871, and had a son William aged 4 and daughter Elizabeth aged 2 months. The family had moved to 1 Orchard Cottages by 1881, and now had Walter born 1875, Carrie born 1878, and Herbert born 1880. William's widowed father, now aged 68, was also living with the family. William junior was now aged 14 and also working as a clicker.

By 1891 William and Catherine had two more sons, Fred born in 1883 and Frank born in 1894. William was now a boot manufacturer and had moved the family to Moor Road, and their daughter was a teacher at the board school.

William died in 1921 aged 79 and was buried in Rushden Cemetery Grave B611:

In loving memory of William CLARKE beloved husband of Catherine CLARKE who passed away Nov 9th 1921 aged 79 years and of Catherine CLARKE who passed away October 7th 1923 aged 81 years. Also of Bert, third son of the above who passed away January 1st 1901 aged 20 years.

A company was established in Church Street, by next door neighbours Tom W C Linnett and William Clarke, who lived in Moor Road.

Tom had been a departmental manager for B Denton & Co before establishing a company with his neighbour, William Clarke. His obituary tells that Tom retired from business in 1894 through ill health.

A booklet produced entitled Rushden and its Industry 1900 quotes "Messrs. Clark and Lennett, of Church-street, have carried on a successful trade for some years, but the junior partner retired from the firm, having satisfied his not too covetous desires, and left his partner to increase his worldly goods to the bent of his ambition."

It seems the company was now called Clarke & Co, and remained in Church Street.

Another company named Clarke & Co was established in 1924 in Victoria Road.

If there is a connection we have no firm knowledge.

Notes: Kelly's Directory 1903 gives Clarke & Co. at Church Street.

Building already there on 1900 map, when streets were being numbered.

Clarke & Co, were listed as boot & shoe manufacturers in Church Street in 1903 Kellys’ – but no property number given.

Edwin Mole, baker listed at number 3 Church Street.

Northern & Payne, coal merchants at number 5.

Rushden Times (branch) also at number 5.

Henry Wheeler & Son, plumbers, were at number 11.

This building looks like a shoe factory - so we are unsure if it was built for Clarke & Co, and taken over by J F Cook. If you can help with information, please contact us.

5 Church St - was J F Cook print works in 1908

Index of Shoe Companies