In 1757 John Fuller (also known as Mad Jack), was born into one of the
iron-founding families of Brightling , who owned the mansion
adjoining the Church. The Family became famous for its iron furnace at
Heathfield which produced guns and cannons for the navy, and the forge
at Burwash Weald which produced a wide range of implements. Mad Jack
was one of the great English Eccentrics, a famous politician and patron
of science and the arts, who enjoyed building follies.
