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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Somerset => England => Somerset Lookup Requests => Topic started by: Totnor on Friday 19 August 11 13:20 BST (UK)
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Does anyone have access to records about the family of Fussells, who were edge tool makers. My ancestor Austin Fussell was obviously in the family business in the later 1700s. I wonder if his father was the John who started the business in 1744? Austin was born around 1737 in Mells. Any help would be gratefully received!
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Hi Totnor
re the above a bit threadbare but some records
1) Marriage 27th Oct 1781 AndrewFussell of Mells
to Ann Dansen by licence at MELLS
2 )Austin Fussell death 7th July 1794 aged 57 years at Mells ,Anglican reg.
these dates confirm the 1737 Birthdate for him
,
Move on a few years and we have :
Austin Fussell , of Oxford All saints. Ironmonger,21/1/1840
Bankrupt Directory 1820-1848
no other comments
Then I found GWR Railway Shares;-to
1)John C Fussell 15th Nov 1865
Elizabeth Hounsell death 16th Sept 1868
Miss Frances Fussell Executrix niece 14th nov 1865,
Mr John C Fussell Recipient 15th Nov 1865
Gwr railway shares to John H Fussell 9th Apr 1872 Frome
Miss Francis F ussell death 15th sept 1867
Miss Lucy Fussell Executrix, sister 8th March 1867
2) John H Fussell Reciept 9th april 1772
Can you confirm if this is the corect family as no Census images at all that I can find?
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Hi Totnor
I don't know if you have found this yet:
www.fussels.org
It is the site for the Fussell Iron Works Society, giving a great deal of information on the company as well as details of a recently published history. The original Fussell in the business, James III, seems to have come from Stoke Lane to Mells in the 1740s
Steve
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Hi Totnor
Old Bristolian is spot with this site but you need to add an L to fussell. should tell you everything you need to now about the family,business etc,
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Thank you all for that. I will certainly peruse the Fussells website. A quick look seemsd fascinating!
I am descended from Austin and Mary (Nash). Mary died in 1773 and then Austin re-married Ann. I have Dawson not Dansen, as her surname, so will check that out.
I think the younger Austin was the son of one of my Austin's brothers, if I remember.
I look forward not only to finding more about Austin's parents but also more about their flourishing busines..
Does anyone know anything about Mary Nash, please?
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Hello Totnor,
They have a permanent display on the Fussell Ironworks in the Frome Museum. There is also a huge amount of information on the family there.
http://www.fromemuseum.org/
There is a bit about the Fussells on the website of Mary de Viggiani, a local historian. http://www.dixon.org.uk/deviggiani/LOM_index.html
There is also a website dedicated to the Frome area. A name search of Fussell on this produces many hits. http://www.fromeresearch.org.uk/ A search on Nash likewise, many results.
I found the marriage of Austin to Mary Nash in Chelwood in 1763. I take it you have the details, names of witnesses etc? Mary Nash appears to have been baptised in Chelwood, Independent Chapel, on 22 November 1742. She was the daughter of George Nash. Abode: Clutton. Also on Freereg http://www.freereg.org.uk
Jo.
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Hello again,
A further search of Freereg revealed quite a colony of the Nash family around Chelwood.
Siblings of Mary Nash baptised in Chelwood Independent Chapel were as follows:
28 February 1732/3 Elizabeth.
13 December 1734 Joanna.
21 April 1738 George.
5 December 1740 Ann.
All children of George Nash, abode Clutton.
There were other people by the name of Nash, Thomas and John, who lived in Clutton and baptised children there around this time.
These are on Freereg.
Jo.
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Many thanks, Jo. Most helpful. I will look at Mary's site. I had found the baptism for Mary Nash, but it's useful to have her siblings. (FreeReg is great!).
I hope to be in the SW in the next month or two visiting relatives and shall try to get to the Frome museum. Have also sent for their book on the Fussells.
Totnor
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Thank you again all of you. I have now received an interesting book from Frome Museum that details the history of the Fussells' ironworks over the years. I am now trying to find James Fussell who started the business and his marriage to Barbara. Anyone know that, please? Also their baptisms?! I live in hope.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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Thank you so much, Steve! Much appreciated! No word on wives, I take it?
Anne
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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.
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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
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Thanks for letting me know, Steve. I couldn't understand why Austin didn't leave a will. I was wondering whether Austin left anything to his daughter, Ann (Nancy) who was born in 1768.
Anne
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I have Martha Fussel(l) born c1710. She married John Clifford 17 May 1733 Stoke Lane. I would guess that Mary is part of this family but I have not found a baptism for Martha so I am not sure who her parents were.
Sandra
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This relates to the post asking about information on Fussell wives.
Freereg has some possible marriages as follows:
13 November 1704 Stoke Lane, James Fussell to Mary Smith.
Mells, St Andrew, 2 April 1755, James Fussell, of this parish, to Henrietta Miles, of this parish, By Licence. Could this be a second marriage? The fact it was By Licence indicates they were people of some standing.
Jo.
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It occurred to me to look at a book I have titled, "Mendip- A New Study" Edited by Robin Atthill. Published by David and Charles 1976. This contains quite a bit of information on the Fussells and their various tool works.
I would recommend that you try to obtain this book to read the contents. I bought it secondhand from a local dealer.
In view of copyright I shall send some details via PM.
Jo.
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Jo - thanks for that. Following its mention here, I have just received a copy of Robin Atthill's "Old Mendip" (1971 reprint) which has the chapter on the Fussells. It sounds as if your book is another one by him. I shall investigate further. Next time I am in the SW I am going to Frome to the museum to look at the exhibits there.
I am so glad I put this on RootsChat - I never expected such a response! It has been amazing! Thank you all so much. But I still want to find out about Austin's mother, if I can.....
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Hi All,
Henrietta MILES was indeed 2nd wife to James 3rd Fussell (1710-1775) 1st wife Barbara Parkman
1736 Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1531-1812 (DCopy)
Name: James Fussel [Jabus Fussel] Marriage Date: 27 Dec 1736 Marriage Place: Stoke St Michael, Somerset, England Spouse: Barbara Fartman (Parkman)
1755 Somerset, England, Marriage Registers, Bonds and Allegations, 1754-1914 (DCopy)
Name: James Russell Age: 21 Birth Year: abt 1734 Marriage or Bann Date: 29 Mar 1755
Marriage Place: Somerset, England Spouse: Henrietta Miles
NOTE>>> Contract Doc: James 3 Fussell (Tool Maker & Widower) Henrietta Miles Widow
1755 England, Select Marriages, 1538-1973
Name: James Fussell Marriage Date: 2 Apr 1755 Marriage Place: Mells, Somerset, England
Spouse: Henrietta Miles FHL Film Number: 1526679 Reference ID: item 18 p 3
1755 Somerset, England, Marriage Registers, Bonds and Allegations, 1754-1914 (DCopy)
Name: James Fussell Marriage or Bann Date: 2 Apr 1755 Marriage Place: Mells, Somerset, England Spouse: Henrietta Miles
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Also hear are some details for Barbara Parkman mother of Austin Fussell (1737-1794)
1715 Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1531-1812 (DCopy)
Name: Barbara Parkman Baptism Date: 1715 Baptism Place: Stoke St Michael, Somerset, England Father: Aughin Parkman
1736 Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1531-1812 (DCopy)
Name: Barbara Fartman Marriage Date: 27 Dec 1736 Marriage Place: Stoke St Michael, Somerset, England Spouse: James Fussel
1753 Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1531-1812 (DCopy)
Name: Barbara Fussell Burial Date: 12 Dec 1753 Burial Place: Mells, Somerset, England