California Colliery
of Oldland, Bristol. Map reference ST665714
1876 A new 640 yards deep shaft was sunk by Abraham Fussell on the site of an earlier shaft called Blowbottom, part of the Brook Pits group.
1881 Owned by A. and G. Fussel
1891 'The California pit, where the discovery (smith's coal seam) has been made, is connected with the Oldland collieries carried on by a limited number of owners, the being chiefly the Messrs Fussell, of Kingswood, under the style of the Oldland Colliery Company, Limited. Adjoining are the Hole Lane and Bull Hall collieries at Oldland Common. These are also owned by the Messrs Fussell. The California colliery is situated at Oldland Common, not far from Bristol, and has been in operation for the past fifteen Years. It was started by the late Mr Abraham Fussell, who, from its commencement to the time of his death in January, 1887, was the chairman of the company. There are two pits sunk upon the property...'[1]
1892 'The Oldland Colliery Company, Limited, have recently erected complete plant for briquette making at their California Colliery, their small coal is specially suitable for patent fuel. The process adopted is what is known aa the pitch process...The machinery, which is designed to turn out 300 tons per week, has been constructed and erected by the Uskside Engineering Company, of Newport, Mon., and the engine for driving the same has been supplied by Mr James Gregory, of the Kingswood Hill Iron Works.'[2]
1904 'The miners the California Colliery, Oldland Common, have stopped working, and the pit is closed. Formerly nearly 300 man were engaged this pit, but since the flooding it May, 1900, the water difficulty has been source of great inconvenience. The number of workers at the pit has been gradually reduced, until recently the total did not muster more than two or three dozen. It is now affirmed that the pit is permanently closed.' Mentions Philip Fussell who had made efforts to keep the pit open.[3]
1905 Sale of the Oldland Collieries including the California Pit, Cadbury Heath Pit and the Cow Horn Hill Pitt. 504 acres. 'The California Colliery is renowned for its especially good steam and smith’s coal' and 'The Cadbury Heath Pit has only recently been re-opened or sunk...' Apply Fussell and Co, Solicitors, 36 Corn Street, Bristol.[4]