Family History Notebook
Page last updated 25th August 2008

A Chronology of Lead Mining in the West Allen Valley

       
1565 - 1570 Matthew Bee of Ninebanks worked Grewslacke, Spartywell and Bates Hill   #1
1640 Sir John Fenwick leases the lead mines to William Pearson for 30 years   #1
1660 Lease transferred to William 'Barkett'   #1
1667 Sir Thomas Fenwick leases mines to Sir William Blackett for 23 years. (also sells his estates including Parish of Allendale to Sir William Blackett)   #1
1684 Shield Ridge Level driven along the West Cross Vein to drain Coalcleugh veins above the Great Limestone   #1
1709 Whitfield Mill (Smelter) leased by London Lead Company    
1711 Miner's laid off causing distress in parish   #1
1745 London Lead Company buys Nenthead Mill and starts to phase out Whitfield Mill    
1753 Coalcleugh general cash book starts (ends 1835)   #6
1755 Bates Hill trial   #6
1760 Early level at Barney Craig   #1
1762 Kilhope in Weardale comes under the control of Coalcleugh    
1765 Hydraulic engine installed at Coalcleugh mine   #1
1805   John, Peter and Christopher Swindle partners in bargains at Coalcleugh #8
1806 Barney Craig Level started   #1
1806 Heartycleugh - New Level being driven   #1
1807 Crushing mill ordered for Coalcleugh   #1
1811 Whitfield Mill closed    
1812   John Swindle dies. Missing from future bargains of his partnership  
1813   Advance owed by Christopher Swindle (never repaid) who does not appear in future bargains. Recorded as working at Nenthead Smelt Mill 1824, and having died by 1830 #6,#8
1823 - 1828 Hazelwell  - level driven in 1823. Mine worked until price of lead fell   #1
1825   Peter Swindle bargain at Welhope #7
1826 Thomas Coats agreement to develop mine at Blackcleugh    
1828 Thomas Coates agreement to develop mine at Farneycleugh for 3 years Peter Swindle one of the 16 partners in the Farneycleugh agreement. #7
1830   Advances owed by George Swindle and Christopher Swindle #6
1831   Advance owed by John Swindle #6
1832   Advances owed by George Swindle and John and Peter Swindle #6
1833   Advances owed by Peter, Thomas and George Swindle #6
1834   Advances owed by Peter, Thomas and Thomas Swindle #6
1843   Reference to Christopher Swindle 'timbering the vein' at Coalcleugh #9
1899 - 1913 Coalcleugh worked by Vieille Montagne Zinc Company   #1

 

References

1    "Allendale, Tynedale and Derwent Lead Mines" R.A. Fairburn; Northern Mines Research Society May 2000

2    "The History of Lead Mining in the North East of England" L. Turnbull; Harold Hill and Son 1975

3    "Leadmining Families - The Westgarths and the Forsters" B.P. Wilkinson; (Out of the Pennines pp19-33) Friends of Kilhope 1997 (Also www.westgarth.org.uk)

4    "A History of Lead Mining in the Pennines" A. Raistrick and B. Jennings; Kelsall and Davis 1989

5    "Two Centuries of Industrial Welfare - The London (Quaker) Lead Company 1692 - 1905)" A. Raistrick; Kesall and Davis 1988

6    "Coalcleugh General Cashbook 1753 - 1835" ; Northumberland Record Office NRO 672/e/3D

7    "Kiersleyrow Bargain Book from 1805 to 1830"; Northumberland Record Office NRO 672/e/3H

8    "Coalcleugh Bargain Book 1805 to 1816"; Northumberland Record Office NRO 672/e/3A.1

9    "Coalcleugh - Journal of the Mine" - extract at Hexham Library