The wheels fall off Joe's wagon- 1866.

Above: This advertisement appeared in the Ballarat Directory of 1865-66.

In the 'Argus' of 31 July, 1866 the following item appeared: “We understand that the bills of Messrs Joseph Bishop & Co, iron founders, Ballarat, have been returned dishonoured. A meeting of creditors will be called in a few days."
This was followed on August 2, 1866 with “Messrs Joseph Bishop & Co of Ballarat, whose suspension we noted a few days ago, have called a meeting of their creditors for Friday next. The total liabilities are said not to be in excess of ten thousand pounds."

Four days later, on August 6, 1866: “A meeting of the creditors of Messrs Joseph Bishop and Co, iron founders, Ballarat, resulted in the assignment of the estate to Messrs Jenner and H. Henty, for the general benefit. The statement submitted to the meeting showed liabilities amounting to 9,141 pounds and assets estimated at 8,020 pounds. The contingent liabilities amount to five thousand pounds.”

By September of 1866 the 'Argus' was carrying advertisements for the sale of Soho Foundry, Ballarat-land, machinery, buildings and equipment.In December all claims on the estate of Joseph Bishop & Co were being called for, and it was the end of the road for Joseph Bishop's long career as an ironmonger. The Soho Foundry was taken on by an engineer named William Errington, although in February of 1868 the Sydney Morning Herald reported that "Soho Foundry, Ballarat, is to be turned into a brewery"

The fall of Joseph Bishop's finances corresponded with his Fanny's desire to remain his wife.In March of 1867 she boarded the ship 'Holmsdale' and sailed back to England, where she resided with her parents, Robert and Rebecca Smith, at Chew Magna Somersetshire, for two years.