Fussells Iron Industry Society

Fussells Iron Industry Society
IIS is dedicated to research, publication and exchange of information on all aspects of the part of north east Somerset christened ‘The Fussell Country’ by Robin Atthill in his 1967 book ‘Old Mendip’, with special reference to the manufacture of agricultural edge tools and other implements by the Fussell dynasty of ironmasters from the mid-1700s until the end of the 19th century.



Mells Lower Works from the south east in the 1880s

Morris�s Directory of 1871 lists four Fussell ironworks-linked businesses. These were: James Fussell Sons & Co. � Mells Ironworks; John Fussell & Co. � Upper Ironworks (Mells); William A Fussell � Rock House; and Isaac Fussell & Co. of Nunney.

The Fussell empire collapsed towards the end of the 19th century. A variety of reasons for this have been suggested and all of them probably made their contributions. It was probably a case of too little, too late, in terms of keeping up with technical developments in the great industrial centres of the Midlands and the North. For example, the Fussells depended almost entirely on water power to a late date, although they did use steam in the later years. They also installed rolling mills at the Lower Works at great expense, but seem to have had difficulty in getting these to work satisfactorily. By the time this happened, a catastrophic collapse in English agriculture in the 1870s hit the market for edge tools.

Late in the life of the Fussell operations there was an attempt at rationalisation with the fusion of the various branches into James, Isaac & John Fussell Ltd, Mells and Nunney Works, but again it was too late. William A Fussell�s company was diversifying, an 1881 advertisement featuring garden chairs, cold frames and propagating stoves. In 1894 the Fussell empire was adjudged bankrupt and liquidated. The company was taken over by Is

Morris�s Directory of 1871 lists four Fussell ironworks-linked businesses. These were: James Fussell Sons & Co. � Mells Ironworks; John Fussell & Co. � Upper Ironworks (Mells); William A Fussell � Rock House; and Isaac Fussell & Co. of Nunney.

The Fussell empire collapsed towards the end of the 19th century. A variety of reasons for this have been suggested and all of them probably made their contributions. It was probably a case of too little, too late, in terms of keeping up with technical developments in the great industrial centres of the Midlands and the North. For example, the Fussells depended almost entirely on water power to a late date, although they did use steam in the later years. They also installed rolling mills at the Lower Works at great expense, but seem to have had difficulty in getting these to work satisfactorily. By the time this happened, a catastrophic collapse in English agriculture in the 1870s hit the market for edge tools.

Late in the life of the Fussell operations there was an attempt at rationalisation with the fusion of the various branches into James, Isaac & John Fussell Ltd, Mells and Nunney Works, but again it was too late. William A Fussell�s company was diversifying, an 1881 advertisement featuring garden chairs, cold frames and propagating stoves. In 1894 the Fussell empire was adjudged bankrupt and liquidated. The company was taken over by Isaac Nash of Belbroughton, Worcestershire. By 1895 all production in the Mells area had stopped, although the name and reputation were still used by the Nash organisation, which had even taken Fussell employees to Worcestershire. Isaac Nash was itself later taken over by Tyzack Son & Turner.aac Nash of Belbroughton, Worcestershire. By 1895 all production in the Mells area had stopped, although the name and reputation were still used by the Nash organisation, which had even taken Fussell employees to Worcestershire. Isaac Nash was itself later taken over by Tyzack Son & Turner.