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Doctors Crew, Owen and Burland
& Dr Axford
Dr John Crew was born at Tetbury, Gloucestershire in 1836. He trained in London and became a general practitioner. He came to Higham Ferrers about 1870, and in summer 1871 he went to London, where he married Agnes Dixon Frodsham, from Clapton. They settled in Higham Ferrers and raised their four children there: Agnes E was born 1873, Edward J 1875, Frederick D 1879 and Gwendoline in 1883. The two boys followed their father into medical training.

John died on 16th June 1913 aged 76 and was buried in Higham Ferrers churchyard four days later.

Note: At NRO in the Simpson & Mason catalogue, there is a rent book for properties, but not locations, rented out by Dr Crew 1911-1914 (not studied) Ref: Acc 1948/172, box 943


Herbert BURLAND, MRCS, LRCP (1863–1921) by Barrie MacKay

Hailing from Wigan in Lancashire, the son of an oil merchant and grease manufacturer, Dr Burland, after qualifying to practise medicine in 1888, joined Dr John Crew of Manor House, Higham Ferrers, initially as Dr Crew’s assistant and later as his practice partner.

By 1894, the partnership of Dr Crew, Dr Charles Richard Owen of Highfield House, Park Road, Rushden, and Dr Burland was well established (Crew, Owen & Burland, surgeons, Highfield House). Finedon was where Dr Burland lived. Upon the inauguration of the Burton Latimer Cottage Homes scheme in 1897, Dr Burland was appointed Medical Officer.

Kelly's Directory of 1898 records that at Finedon, Dr Burland (still in the partnership of Crew, Owen & Burland) was surgeon & medical officer of health to the urban district council & medical officer & public vaccinator for Finedon District, Wellingborough Union. In addition, he was at that stage visiting Burton Latimer three times per week to hold surgeries ("attends mon, wed & sat from 2.30 to 5pm"). His marriage to Mabel Harriet Brown Lane of Rothwell took place the same year. (when he died in 1921 he left a widow and two daughters).

Taken from Burton Latimer website, by kind permission


The Rushden Argus, 23rd July 1897, transcribed by Kay Collins

WEDDING — Our readers will note with interest the marriage of Dr. Axford and Miss E. M.Summersgill, which took place at New Church, Dalton, Huddersfield, on Thursday last. Dr. Axford, it will be recollected, was tor some time with Dr. Owen, whilst Miss Summersgill was infant mistress at the Alfred-street School during the same period. Their many friends will be glad to learn of this happy consummation of their meeting at Rushden. Dr. and Mrs. Axford, are, we believe, spending their   honeymoon near Portmadoc, North Wales.

Bennetts Directory 1915 gives - Crew & Greenfield, surgeons, 4 Griffith Street, Rushden.



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