At the end of the 184Os George Masters left Ringmer with his family to take up employment with a Mr Gosling and Mr Uridge at their village store in the High Street in Lindfield. Following the death of one of the partners, Gosling & Uridge's business was placed on the market. Purchased by George Masters, it was the beginning of the family business which is now under the direction of his great and great-great-grandsons, Jerry and Ian Masters.

From its beginning as one of the village stores, with departments for drapery, outfitting, boots and shoes, grocery and provisions, wines and spirits, hardware, ironmongery and funeral furnishings, Masters & Son has undergone many changes up to the present time and now specialises as funeral directors and monumental masons.

During the existence of the business the company has also been furniture removers and storers, sellers of new and antique furniture, state agents and insurance agents!Its advertising slogan at the time was 'From the cradle to the grave'

Members of the family have lived in and been part of the village community nearly all the time that the business has been established.