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WEA Notes & Survey by P. Robinson, 1982
Craft & Trade Patterns
1847-1940

The table below is a summary of the pattern of business activity over the hundred years between 1840 and 1940, as the community grew from a village to a thriving small town. Analysis of the figures below gives a fascinating picture of the rise (and fall) of various types of craft and business activity.


RUSHDEN CRAFTS & TRADES
1847
1854
1861
1870
1877
1885
1890
1894
1903
1910
1920
1931
1936
1940
ARTIFICIAL TEETH MAKER
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4
 
 
 
BAKER
3
3
2
3
6
8
10
14
16
12
13
12
16
14
BLACKSMITH
2
3
3
2
2
2
2
4
4
3
3
3
2
2
BREWER
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BUILDER
 
 

1
9
8
8
9
8
6
6
6
4
6
CABINET MAKER
 
 
 
 
 
1
1
1
2
3
1
3
3
3
CARPENTER
3
2
2
2
1
1
4
 
3
2
2
1
1
1
COACH BUILDER
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
1
1
1
 
 
CYCLE MANUFACTURER
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2
2
2
1
 
 
DRESSMAKER
1
 
 
 
 
2
 
2
12
8
3
 
4
3
ENGINEERS
 
 
 
 
 
1
1
1
1
2
5
5
6
5
ENGINEERS (electrical)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
 
2
3
2
3
ENGINEERS (motor)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4
9
10
9
FURNITURE MFR
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
 
 
 
 
 
MALTSTER
1
1
1
1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MASON
3
2
2
1
 
 
1
1
4
2
2
1
1
1
MINERAL WATER MFR
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
1
1
1
1
 
PACKING CASE MFR
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
1
 
 
 
 
PHOTOGRAPHER
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
 
2
2
2
2
3
3
PICTURE FRAME MAKER
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
2
 
 
 
 
PLUMBER/PAINTER/GLAZIER
 
 
1
2
2
4
4
4
7
10
5
11
9
11
PRINTER
1
 
 
 
 
 
2
1
1
4
4
5
4
6
RUSH MATTING MFR
1
1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SADDLER & HARNESS MFR
 
 
 
 
 
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
STOCKING KNITTER
 
 
 
 
 
1
1
1
1
 
 
 
 
 
STRAW HAT MAKER
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
1
 
 
 
 
SUGAR BOILER
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
1
1
1
1
 
 
 
TAILOR
2
3
1
 
1
4
4
6
6
10
11
8
7
6
TINPLATE WORKER & BRAZIER
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
 
2
2
2
2
1
1
UPHOLSTERER
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1
 
 
 
WATCH & CLOCK MAKER
1
1
1
1
1
3
4
2
4
3
3
2
1
1
WHEELWRIGHT
3
3
3
1
2
2
 
1
2
1
 
1
1
 

Other tables showing the distribution of trades
 based on entries in various Trade Directories
footwear manufacturers
industrial archaeology trail

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