Rushden Research Group: Frank D Brazier

Frank D Brazier

The header on the 1917 invoice shows some of his vehicles.

The invoices, quotes and postcards are all we know of Frank and his business. The business began in 1851, but Frank didn't come to Higham until about 1890 so he must have taken over an established business. He won the first of several medals at the local Agricultural Society Show held at Rushden in 1898.
Silver Medals: Rushden 1898, 1907	Highly Commended: Thrapston 1901, Wellingboro 1914
Frank Daniel Brazier was born in Wilton, WIL, in 1864, son of Fred. In 1881 he was a grocer's apprentice, but obviously didn’t settle to that business. He married Annie Langton Parker, born at Northampton in about 1891, daughter of Charles Parker, and they soon settled in Higham Ferrers to raise their family.

Right: Medal details from the 1917 invoice


	A Cart built for J Hooton Egg & Butter Salesman proudly displayed in the yard at 5 Wood Street with a board declaring the Silver Medal awarded in 1898. Note the statues also displayed.

Brazier's Improved Prize Medal Governess Car

Works Outing 1909

Memo No 936

Memo No 936 Sept 17th 1914

Mr W Hector Leather Merchant Higham Ferrers

Estimate for a new Four-wheel-Trolley

Estimate & agreement to build a new four-wheel-Trolley similar in size & shape to the one I built for Mes. Harris Bros, Rushden.

Fitted with best Warner wheels, Colling’s patent Axles, double springs, with cross spring behind & capable of carrying one ton.

Body built of best English oak & ash & well ironed up, fitted with Dickey seat, strong lever Brake with wood blocks, pair of well ironed up framed shafts, one off side Lamp &c &c. All wood work cleaned up & Varnished in the clear wood & Iron work painted black with Lettering to body as required.

Guaranteed a first class Trolley & a 3 years Warranty.

Price Net £26-0-0. Less allowance of £10-0-0 for pony trap with all fittings complete.

Water proof cover sheet Extra.

F D Brazier
With Thanks.

1917 for ‘repairing & painting Schnieder Motor Car’ For Mr Joseph Knight of Rosemount, Rushden.	1919 for ‘cleaning down, repairing, painting & varnishing several parts of the Motor’

Invoices from a bundle stored on a 'spike' (a traditional way to keep receipts)

Postcard showing a delivery trolley made for Raunds Co-op

Postcard 1933

The postcard (above) was sent to the manager of Rushden Co-op Furnishing Department at Higham Road, in August 1933. It reads:-
Please allow me to compliment you on your excellent window display. On seeing it the other evening I was very much impressed by its general smartness & the lighting effect was very impressive. As an old Co-operative I thought I would like to send you my opinion. Faithfully F D Brazier

Rushden Echo & Argus, 17th August 1934.

Will
Mr. Frank Daniel Brazier, of 5, Wood-street, Higham Ferrers, who died on June 15 last, left estate of the gross value of £1,594 16s. 3d.

Probate has been granted to his widow, Mrs. Annie Brazier of the above address, the surviving executor. Mr. Brazier, a coachbuilder, was for several years an alderman of the Higham Ferrers Town Council.

Postcard - the yard at 5 Wood Street,
is just behind the car centre picture.

Return to Commerce Index