Rushden Research Group: Clispon J S

Article by Kay Collins, 2008

J S Clipson & Clipson Bros.


Oak Lodge - No 10 Church Street	Hakkers Hair Salon & Oak Lodge - 2008

John Samuel Clipson was born in 1858 at Glendon and he married Mary from Kettering, where they lived for about six years and their daughter Mary and son John were born. Whilst living in Higham Ferrersd, he had also established a business, in the High Street at Rushden.

In 1888 John and his family moved to Oak Lodge, 10 Church Street, and bought the adjoining plot on the corner of Alfred Street.

The shop he built on the plot in 1889 was very large and eventually had several outbuildings, together with a new residence for his growing family. Son Harold was born in 1886 in Rushden, followed by Helen in 1888, Winifred in 1890, James in 1893 and Frances in 1896.


The house & shop on the Corner of Alfred Street & Church Street in 1905 (left) and about 1950 (right) Photographs courtesy Mr Copperwheat

Rushden Echo 6th August 1915

Boot Closers please note.
The Jones’ machine
is unequalled for
Army closing.
Enquire terms at
J. S. Clipson’s, Church St.

Invoice from 1917

An advert from 1930 - note the telephone number is No 1 extension

John built up a good business doing engineering and maintaining the machinery that was being rapidly introduced into the boot and shoe making trade here. He also was sole agent for Jones Sewing Machines and for Otto Gas Engines. His large, three windowed shop displayed his wares very prominently, and included perambulators and bicycles.

By 1901 his two eldest sons were also working as engineers, daughter Helen was a school teacher and daughter Mary was a book-keeper. (The 1905 photograph shows the family outside)

In 1914 Clipson Brothers & Co were trading at 131 High Street as ironmongers, electricians and motor cycle agents.

A member of the Wesleyan Church, where he was also choir master, John was also active in public service. He was chairman of the Rushden Urban District Council in 1905 and in 1914, and also joined the Rushden and Higham Ferrers Water Board, to bring water from Sywell into Rushden, in 1906. He was also involved in the bringing of the telephone to the town and was the proud owner of telephone number one.

By the 1950's one part of the shop (window right) was being used by Bates & Leyland Ltd, cabinet makers and upholsterers. The next window is a building between the Clipson's shop and Oak Lodge. It was a high class millners shop from about 1914, owned by Mrs Ada Buttling, and in about 1950 Ada retired her daughter Helen began trading there as a hairdresser. When Helen retired in about 1980, the salon then became "Snippers" and they later moved into 69 Newton Road, and have recently moved again and now trade in the High Street (2008). Another hairdresser is now in the Church Street premises, called "Hakkers", and Oak Lodge is now the offices of Spoor & Co.

The Wellingborough News, 23rd September, 1887, transcribed by Gill Hollis

ACCIDENT—On Wednesday morning, as a painter in the employ of Mr. W. Spencer, was engaged in painting the upstairs window of the premises in High-street in the occupation of Mr. J. Clipson, the ladder upon which he was standing slipped out at foot, precipitating the young fellow to the ground and spraining his ankle badly. The end of the ladder also fell upon the shop door, destroying a large square of plate glass.


The original shop in Church Street was Mike Neville's estate agency for many years and is now a sports equipment shop, McGuire's.	The rear of the premises is in poor state and the house where John Samuel Clipson brought up his family is now boarded up (2008).

Obituary - J S Clipson - 1941