Thomas Edward Chapman son of Job, came to Rushden about 1890 from Chalk Hill, near Dunstable, BDF. At first he lodged with Robert Lord, from Stevington BDF, and found work as a shoe riveter.
On 3rd of August 1891 at St Mary’s Church, Rushden, Thomas Edward Chapman aged 20, son of Job, married Louisa Emma Partridge aged 18, daughter of Jesse. Emma was born at New Whittington DBY. Both were working in the shoetrade.
In 1901 the family were living in Denmark Road, with 4 children. Frank was born in 1892, Alice in 1894, Harry in 1896, and George in 1900.
In 1900 there was a big land sale took place on Court Estate, and several plots remained unsold, including plots 52-55.
It seems Mr Sutton then bought plots 52 & 53. Thomas bought plots 54 & 55 and perhaps began to cultivate it before he built this house in 1906. In 1911 he was recorded as a market gardener, and another son Edward was born in 1909.
Thomas had planted over 200 fruit trees on two acres, and had 3 acres of grass, when in 1912 he advertised 6 acres of the land without the house. (see above)
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Emma, son Edward and Thomas Edward c1914
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His son Frank began a window cleaning business in 1910, and took over another in 1915. Thomas began helping his son in that business.
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