Baptist Mills, Bristol facts for kids

Baptist Mills is an area in the city of Bristol, England. It gets its name from the old mills that used to be there. These mills were important for making things like flour and, later, brass.

The Ground Beneath Baptist Mills

The land in Baptist Mills is mostly made of a type of rock called Redcliffe Sandstone. This rock formed a very long time ago during the Triassic period. On top of this rock, especially near the Horfield Brook and the River Frome, you can find softer ground. This softer ground is made of alluvium, which is a mix of sand, silt, and clay left behind by rivers.

A Look Back at Baptist Mills' History

Baptist Mills is named after the many mills that once stood in this area.

Early Mills and Flour Production

The first records of a mill here date back to 1470. This was a grist mill, which means it was used to grind grain into flour. These mills were still important in 1610, as they appeared on old maps of the Kingswood area.

From Flour to Brass: A New Industry

In 1702, the mills changed. A group of businessmen, including Abraham Darby I, Edward Lloyd, John Andrews, and Arthur Thomas, started the Bristol Brass Company. They turned the old flour mills into brass mills.

By 1706, more partners joined the company. It became an early type of joint stock company, which meant many people invested money into the business. They had a lot of money, about £8000, which was a huge amount back then!

Abraham Darby was a very active partner. He even brought in skilled workers from other countries, sometimes called 'Dutchmen', to help operate the brass-making machines. These machines used large hammers to shape the brass. Darby also helped bring new ways of moulding metals to England. Later, Darby left the company to focus on his new business of making iron at Coalbrookdale.

The End of Brass and New Beginnings

Brass production at the Baptist Mills Brass Works stopped in 1814. But the site didn't stay empty for long!

In 1839, parts of the old brass works were bought by Joseph and James White. They started a factory that made pottery. They produced special "Egyptian Black" pottery, Rockingham teapots, and even clay tobacco pipes. By 1861, their business was known as the Phoenix Pottery. This pottery factory closed sometime after 1891.

Modern Changes and Remaining Clues

The very last parts of the old brass works were removed in the early 1970s. This happened when Junction 3 of the M32 Motorway was built. However, you can still find clues about the past! Look around the area, and you might spot slag blocks. These are leftover waste materials from when the brass works were active.