Joseph Enos Smith, son of Joseph Smith and Charlotte (nee Clarke), was born at Stanwick on 25th April 1851. He became organist at Souldrop Church and from there he came to Rushden St Mary's Church, on his 24th birthday to play for the congregataion and was confirmed to the post just three days later.
He held the post of organist at St Mary's Church for over 40 years and also worked as a music teacher, selling music and instruments from his home at 22 Church Street. He made many notes, between 1908 & 1928, on the history of Rushden, with the intention to write a book.
The 30 note books into which he wrote all he could find out about Rushden are lodged at Northamptonshire Record Office with the Church Records. Sometimes he wrote about a talk he'd had with one of the older inhabitants of our town and the information he'd gained from them, or he'd write extracts from the newspapers, or his observations as he toured the town and neighbouring villages. Extracts from parish registers, details from wills of local gentry and farmers, farm sales and extremes in the weather are also written up.
So these books give a wealth of information about the people and the town during the late 19th and the early part of the 20th century. Some of the more interesting items have been transcribed.
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Joseph Enos Smith - by Edgar Linnitt captioned:
'Organist of Rushden St Mary's Church,
1875-1930
Died August 30th, 1930, in his 80th year'.
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Wellingborough News, 19th July 1884, transcribed by Kay Collins
SUCCESSFUL LOCAL COMPETITOR—We are pleased to notice that Mr. J. E. Smith, the organist of the Parish Church of this place, has been successful in obtaining the first, prize in the competition offered by the Orchestra for the best tune to the well-known hymn, "Hark, hark, my soul."
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