Robert Lee (Frome)
Millwright and engineer.
1834 Advert: 'FROME SELWOOD, SOMERSET.
To Clothiers, Silk or Cotton Manufacturers, Mill- wrights, Engineers, Iron-founders, and others.
TO be SOLD by Private Contract, All those well-arranged and newly-erected BUILDINGS, at the Butts, in the Town of Frome, where an extensive Business has been carried on for many years, by the present Proprietor, who is now about to reside in London.
The Dwelling-House is pleasantly situated, and well arranged. On the ground-floor is a parlour, dining-room, sitting-room, and kitchen, pantry, cellar, and suitable conveniences. Above, are good bedrooms and attics. In front a lawn, tastefully set out, and a Garden well stocked with choice Fruit Trees. There is a spacious enclosed yard, 75 feet by 73 feet, and a two-story counting-house, neatly fitted up.
The Factory is 60 feet in length by 20 feet in width, in the clear, and three stories and attic, showing good lights.
There is also large, extensive Building at the right angle, used as a Foundery, 75 feet and 6 inches in length, and feet in width. This building is calculated for carrying on extensive business as a Foundery ; or might be easily converted into a three-story building, the windows being arranged for the purpose, and capital lights.
There is a Smith's Shop adjoining, the length 26 feet, the width 26 feet, attached in a line with either building. The whole of the buildings have been erected within the last 10 years, and are built in a most substantial manner. The premises are well adapted for carrying any business where room and convenience are required. Adjoining are two substantial stone-built Dwelling-Houses, being Nos. 13 and 14, in Keyford Terrace, most pleasantly situated, with Gardens in front, back Courts, and Workshop to each house 26 feet in length, and 16 feet in width good lights. The whole premises are abundantly supplied with water, and there is a large Reservoir for the use of a Steam Engine. The Dwelling-House and Lawn are Leasehold, under the Marquess of Bath, for three healthy lives. The Manufactories, Foundery, Yard, and Premises, and also the two Dwelling-Houses are held for the term of 1000 years, of which upwards of 900 years are unexpired. For particulars, apply to the proprietor, Mr. Robert Lee, Millwright and Engineer, on the premises ; or Mr. Bryant, Auctioneer and Surveyor, Shepton Mallett, Somerset; or Mr. Henry Miller, Solicitor, Frome Selwood, Somerset.'[1]
1838 Advert: 'CLOTHING-FACTORY, IRON-FOUNDERY, AND DWELLING-HOUSES, Within the BOROUGH of FROME, Somerset. TO be SOLD by AUCTION, by Mr. Harrold, at the George Inn, Frome, on Thursday, the 1st of March, 1838, at six o'clock in the evening (in one or more lots, as may be agreed on at the time of sale, subject to such conditions as will be then produced),—All that newly-erected CLOTHING FACTORY, situate at the Butts, in Frome, containing three floors, each being 57 ft. in length, and 21 ft. in breadth, with the Teazle-House thereto belonging, in the occupation of Mr. Daniel Trotman, as tenant from year to year.
And also all that newly-erected Iron-Foundery adjoining the last-mentioned premises, containing in length 69 ft., and in breadth 24 ft., with the Counting-House and large Yard adjoining, late in the occupation of Mr. Robert Lee, engineer, deceased.
And also all those two convenient MESSUAGES or DWELLING-HOUSES, being Nos. 13 and 14, in Keyford Terrace, with the Yard, Garden, and Offices adjoining the same.
N.B. These premises are held for the residue of a term of 1000 years, commencing in 1820, and are subject to an annual ground-rent of eighteen guineas; and the purchaser will be required to take at valuation the Steam Engine lately erected thereon (the same being of ten-horse power, on the expansive principle), with the Shafting, Gearing, and Drums thereto appertaining.
And also all that newly-erected convenient and genteel DWELLING-HOUSE, containing entrance-hall, lobby, dining-room, drawing-room, kitchen, pantry, cellars, and out-buildings, on the ground, floor, with six good bed-rooms above; and a Lawn and walled Garden in front, together with a neat Entrance Lodge; the whole being well supplied with water, situate at the Butts aforesaid, and late the residence of Mr. Robert Lee, and now of Mr. J. J. Fisher.
N.B. These premises are held by lease under the Marquess of Bath, for the residue of a term of 99 years, determinable with three lives, of the respective ages of 71, 51, and 23 years, or thereabouts, at the yearly rent of 3s. 3d., and 1s. 3d. for heriot.
Immediate possession of the Iron-Foundery and Dwelling-Houses may be had.
The above Premises may be viewed on application to Mr. John James Fisher, engineer, Frome. For further particulars, apply (if by letter, post- Said) to Mr. George Messiter, solicitor, Frome, or Whitaker, solicitor, Frome.’[2]
Note: It is probable that the foundry became Butts Hill Iron Works. The 1885/6 6" OS map shows Butts Hill Iron Works with the above-mentioned Keyford Terrace immediately adjacent.