Trusler, Francis

Dancer

Collection date: Apr 1909

Area: Somerset - Mendips (Harptree & Priddy)

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Francis Trusler of Mells nr Frome (1838-1912): age 70, 4 fiddle tunes (FT 2169-72) on 14 Apr 1909: 3 country dances and a broom dance: This performer’s name has been incorrectly read as living at Wells but it should Mells, a village 3 miles west of Frome.

Francis Trusler (one ‘s’) was baptised at Mells church on 5/8/1838, son of Emmanuel Trusler, edge tool maker and his wife Ann. He married Mahala Elliott, a servant, at Chantry (2 miles to south) on 21/11/1859. His occupation was listed as ‘scythe grinder at edge tool factory’ in 1871 Mells census. Francis lived his whole life at Mells and raised 8 children. In 1901 he was a ‘labourer in timber yard, aged 61’ (RG13/2311 f125 p8). Francis died Oct qr 1912 (Frome 5c 508).