FUSSELL - 18th century edge tool makers

[Old Bristolian]

Hi Totnor

Sorry about the misspelling of the Fussell website - I'm glad Dragongirl put it right. If James Fussell the founder was baptised in Stoke Lane you may have trouble getting further back - the registers there are in a very poor condition & much is illegible. My ancestor, William Clavey married a Mary Fussell in the early 18th century (luckily at Mells, so the marriage is recorded) but its not really possible to get proven descents further back, because of the gaps. The Claveys and the Fussells had edge tool works at Stoke Lane in the mid 18th century - you can still see the mill house for the Fussell works in the village

regards

Steve

[Jo Harding]

Hello Totnor,

There is a baptism in Mells, St Andrew on 4 November 1773 for James Fussell, son of Austin and Mary Fussell.

This is on Freereg where I also noticed a baptism for Barbara Fussell in Mells on 6 April 1777, daughter of James and Ann Fussell. I wonder if she is the person he married?

There are siblings for both of the above on Freereg too.

I cannot find a marriage as yet.

Are these right with the time line you have for them? Otherwise, what dates do you suggest to research?

Jo.

[Totnor]

Thanks for letting me know, Steve. But at least, thanks to you all, I've found Austin's father (& his mother Barbara, according to the book) and 2 brothers.

At my stage of searching, to get another generation back is a huge bonus, particularly when I had given up hope!

Anne

[Old Bristolian]

Hi Anne

It occured to me afterwards that the Fussell Works site refers to the family by number (hence my reference to James III, the founder). It would be natural to think that someone connected to the site must have taken the line back further or obtained the information from somewhere - if there is no information on James' forebearers in the book or on the site, it might be worth contacting the Somerset Heritage  Centre (the old Record Offfice +) at Taunton to see if there is anything on record there

regards

Steve

[Totnor]

Thanks, Jo,

Yes, I have been wondering about her and suspect that is the right family. I am going to investigate more.

I've also the book also mentions that James III had a wife called Barbara.

I'll report back once  know more!

Anne

Hello Totnor,

There is a baptism in Mells, St Andrew on 4 November 1773 for James Fussell, son of Austin and Mary Fussell.

This is on Freereg where I also noticed a baptism for Barbara Fussell in Mells on 6 April 1777, daughter of James and Ann Fussell. I wonder if she is the person he married?

There are siblings for both of the above on Freereg too.

I cannot find a marriage as yet.

Are these right with the time line you have for them? Otherwise, what dates do you suggest to research?

Jo.

[Old Bristolian]

I've just received today a copy of "Old Mendip" by Robin Atthill (David & Charles 1964, 2nd ed 1971). It has a chapter on the Fussells of Mells & their ironworks. It includes a family tree, of which the earlier part comes from the Stoke Lane PRs. In short it is as follows:

Thomas Fussell of Stoke Lane
son - James I b 1646
son - James II b 1677
son - James III  (1710-1775) established the Mells Ironworks 1744
sons: Austin 1717-94 "eminent edge-tool maker"
          John I 1740-1811 of Nunney
          James IV 1748-1832 designed the Patent Balance Lock

There follows the children of Austin & James IV, which I guess you may have from other sources. There are no daughters or wives mentioned, apart from Mary who died in 1921, the daughter of James VI (1813-83).

Steve

[Totnor]

Thank you so much, Steve! Much appreciated! No word on wives, I take it?

Anne

[Totnor]

I've just looked at the dates given.

John I died 1721 according to  the Frome publication,and Austin can't have been born in 1717 when his father would have been c.7! I think the 1747 birth much more likely as it fits in neatly with the date of death given.

Does anyone know about Austin' will, please. I have tried the National Archives and the Somerset Archives online catalogue without success.

[Old Bristolian]

Oops!

Sorry Anne - put it down to my declining eyesight. The book actually gives 1737 as Austin's baptism date - I don't know if the author did the research on the PRs himself, but I have seen fiches of them & they are difficult, to say the least. All Somerset wills were destroyed in the Blitz, but sometimes copies can be found in family bundles concerning land - I found the will of my Thomas Fussell (d 1745) with other documents including conveyances & indentures - its just luck of the draw I'm afraid

Steve