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J E Smith
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If Mr. Smith played his part nobly in musical affairs, his career was equally notable by reason of his zeal in collecting and preserving records of local, history, and he has left behind a wonderful collection of manuscript books—all in his own hand writing, and, as he was proud to observe, innocent of a blot.
In the last few years of his life, he was struggling—probably beyond the limits of his strength—to arrange and index the great mass of information he had collected, with a view to ultimate publication. His labours have left Rushden a wealth of valuable material.
It was quite by chance that Mr. Smith assumed the role of historian. He had always been an assiduous keeper of personal records, and one day he noted down a scrap of historical information he had gleaned. Then it occurred to him that the gathering of knowledge could be continued as a pleasant hobby, and for the remainder of his life he never missed an opportunity to search records which would enlighten him on the events of bygone years.
At museums and libraries in London, in churches and churchyards and by interviews with old inhabitants, he amassed probably a greater store of local knowledge than any other townsman has possessed.
PROUD OF HIS TOWN.
Nothing could be more delightful than a chat with Mr. Smith in the music room of his house in Church-street. He could talk fascinatingly of music and musicians, of choir boys and clergymen, of Rushden today and Rushden yesterday.
He could rummage in a draw and produce the very pocket-book which records his trial for the musical post at Rushden, and when, on another page, describes the greatest of all floods in Rushden—that of July, 1875, when the water in High-street was a foot deep.
No man could have been prouder of his town, and none had a greater love and knowledge of the Parish Church.
In letters and articles in the local Press, Mr. Smith gave the public the full benefit of his thought and knowledge, and in so doing earned the gratitude of all.
Full of mental vigour, particular as to his personal appearance, ever ready with an anecdote or joke, peculiarly sensitive, and always eager to encourage the young, he is irreplaceable as a picturesque and distinctive personality.
Mr. Smith lost his wife (who was the mistress of a private school) several years ago, and thereafter led a somewhat lonely life. A pension was provided for him when he retired, but his health had broken, and he never enjoyed the peace he had deserved.
Note: the records he dilligently kept are now deposited at Northampton County Record Office, and had been much consulted by the Rushden Research Group before emabarking on this website.
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