Meaning
A person who cleaned, thickened and finished woven woollen cloth.
Description
Fullers processed raw woven wool cloth by cleaning it with Fuller's earth to remove grease and dirt, then pounding or treading it in water to mat and thicken the fibres. This process, known as fulling or tucking, produced a denser and more weatherproof fabric. Fulling mills used water power to drive heavy wooden hammers that replaced the earlier practice of treading cloth by foot. The trade was essential to the wool textile industry and fulling mills were found wherever wool cloth was produced. The occupation declined as textile production became increasingly mechanised.
Also Known As
Tucker, Walker, Cloth Fuller
Commonly Found In
- Census Returns
- Parish Registers
- Mill Records
- Trade Directories
Found this occupation in your family history? Our professional researchers can help you trace your ancestor's life and work. Get in touch today.