Durham Mining Museum - Local Records Extracts (original) (raw)

1828

January 11. — Died, in Pilgrim-street, Newcastle, after a short illness, aged 62, Mr. William Henderson, a native of Northumberland. In the early part of his life he worked as a pitmen, and, having received an injury, he was admitted a patient of the Infirmary, at Newcastle. Here he contracted an intimacy with one of the nurses of that institution, whom he married. On the erection of the House of Recovery, in 1804, Mrs. Henderson was appointed matron, and Mr. Henderson became inspector, which situation he held until his wife�s death. Having, during the time lie was attached to this institution, acquired (as he said) more knowledge of medicine than all the faculty put together, he added Doctor to his name, and published a very ludicrous and eccentric book entitled "Every Man his own Doctor, in the treatment of Fever, and other important diseases incident to the human frame. Being the result of 22 years� practice and observation of the treatment and cure of various diseases. With Rhymes to gratify the mind. By William Henderson, late Inspector of the Fever Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne," with a portrait prefixed. As a specimen of his abilities in the rhyming way, it is only necessary to give the memorable lines from the title-page of his book

"In the country and the town,
here wisdom may be found;
This book in a pupil�s hand,
Will make him a wiser man;
His voice may give the sound,
And say, �tis worth a hundred pound!"

For this hundred pounds� worth of invaluable information, he modestly charged 3s. 6d. It was "Printed for the author by J. Marshall, Old Flesh Market, 1827." It consists of 86 pages. The portrait, which is prefixed to this morceau of a book, is engraved by Mr. Isaac Nicholson, from a painting by Parker, and is an excellent likeness. This work is a treat as it is, but what would it have been, if given in its original orthography ? After the Doctor�s publication appeared, he received various letters signed "Robert Southey," and other fictitious names, lauding his pre-eminent abilities; all of which this very simple man believed to be genuine, and carried them about his person for exhibition ; indeed, there seemed nothing in the shape of praise too monstrous for him. [_LRS_]

March 15. — An explosion took place in Jarrow colliery, by which unfortunate event eight men lost their lives. No exact account of the cause of the accident could be given, but the coroner and jury were satisfied that no blame could attach to any person, as the pit was considered in a good state and well ventilated. [_LHTB_]

June 5. — The "United Kingdom" steam packet, of 1,000 tons, came into the river Tyne for a supply of coals. This vessel, which was then the largest of the kind belonging to Great Britain, was on its passage from London to Leith. [_LHTB_]

July 13. — A heavy rain having fallen, the rivers in the northern counties were swollen to such a degree, as caused much loss and damage to the lands and crops on the low grounds and banks of the rivers. The Tyne rose to a great height., laying corn-fields waste; pikes of hay were floated down, also live stock, consisting of sheep and pigs, also numerous geese and ducks were hurried away by the impetuosity of the current, and lost to their owners. Several trees were torn up by the roots, and floated down the stream. The gable-end of Mr. Harrison�s paper-mill, erecting at the west end of Pipewellgate, Gateshead, was thrown down by the water running into the building, and bursting away the foundation. The houses in Dunstan and its vicinity were completely surrounded by the water, and the inhabitants had no means of escaping but by boats. Several vessels, keels, and small craft, were driven from their moorings. Great damage was done on the grounds contiguous to the rivers Tees, Wear, Team, Derwent, and the Coquet. At Sunderland, a ship was driven from Hetton staith to the low part of the harbour, and some keels were driven from their moorings out to sea. At an early hour on the Monday morning (14th), a fine large black horse was taken out of the river dead, at the glass-house quay of Addison Fenwick, esq. It had the shafts and harness of a gig attached to it, but the body of the carriage was not found. Same day, a valuable cart mare, belonging to Mr. Thomas Wailes of Meldon, was carried down the river Wansbeck, and drowned. By some means she had backed the cart into the swollen torrent, and was hurried away by the stream. The damage to the paper-mill at Shotley, upon the river Derwent, was very great. The whole of the dam head and apron, together with great part of a new quay, for the erection of another mill, were swept away. Most of the wooden bridges upon this river were carried away. A water-spout fell at the foot of the bank, near Hamsterley lodge, and did great damage to the road. The low lands adjacent to the river Wear were for a long time under water, so that fine crops of every description were completely destroyed. A vast quantity of hay, in pikes, passed down the river. On Sunday (13th), as Mr. Cook, blacksmith at Nesham colliery, his brother-in-law, and their wives, were proceeding home from Newcastle, in a cart, the river having overflowed, had extended into the lane near the new bridge, at Lambton Park. In attempting to turn back, the horse, being nearly overhead in water, stumbled, and was immediately drowned. After Mr. Cook and his friends had called out a long time, some persons walking to see the river, went to their assistance, and ropes were procured. Several persons attempted to swim to them with ropes, but were unable to come near them, the water being several feet deep in the lane, and coming very rapidly down the new bridge field. Mr. Storey, of Picktree, sent a horse and sledge to Lambton to bring a boat to the new bridge, when John Ferguson, boatman (a sailor), John Briggs, gamekeeper, at Lambton, and Joseph Laverick, formerly of Lumley ferry-boat, proceeded in the Lambton boat to rescue them from their perilous situation, having ropes made fast to the boat. The ropes were thrown to the people to make fast to the trees, whither they had swam, to render all the assistance in their power to the unfortunate persons, as the water had risen, and they were standing in the cart up to their shoulders. After three of them were removed from the cart, it was carried away by the stream, and the other man jumped into the water and caught hold of a rope that was thrown from the boat. As they were dragging him to the boat, the rope broke that was tied to the tree, and the boat was taken by the strong current over the tops of the trees, and every person thought it would upset, but Ferguson, by his skill, brought the boat ashore in the plantation belonging to Lord Durham, near Mickleton, to the surprise of a great number who had assembled. They had been in their perilous situation about four hours. A great number of leverets were observed clinging to the pikes of hay as they floated down the Wear. Incalculable damage was done by this visitation, but it was not ascertained that any human lives were lost. [_LRS_]

August 22. — As Ralph Pyle and James Cram were descending the pit at Benwell, the rope unfortunately broke, by which they were precipitated to the bottom, and killed on the spot. [_LHTB_]

September 1. — An explosion took place in the new pit at Houghton-le-spring, belonging to Lord Durham, when three men and four boys were burnt to death. The accident was attributed to the sufferers themselves having incautiously left open a door in the mine on the Saturday. The foul air had by this means accumulated in the workings, and on the return of the pitmen on the morning with their lights, it immediately exploded and occasioned the fatal result. [_LHTB_]

September 9. — When the sloop Hunter of Arbroath was loaded with coal, and waiting the tide in the Tyne, two of the men went down into the forecastle with a lighted candle, previous to sailing; when a sudden explosion took place, in consequence of foul air brought on board with the coals, by which the two men were severely scorched. [_LHTB_]

September 9. — This being the day on which Matthew White Ridley, esq., eldest son of Sir M. W. Ridley, bart., M.P. for Newcastle, attained his 21st year, all the bells in the churches of that town rung several merry peals on the occasion. The day was celebrated with much festivity and rejoicing at Blagdon, and other places in the vicinity of the honourable baronet�s domain. At Blyth, all business was suspended, and the gentlemen of the place and its neighbourhood, with the masters of the ships in the harbour, dined together, in celebration of the event. All the workmen at Cowpen colliery and Blyth, employed under Sir Matthew White Ridley, bart., were liberally regaled, and the sailors belonging to the ships in the harbour were not forgotten. Such a festive day had not taken place at Blyth since April 18th, 1799, when the worthy baronet attained his 21st year. [_LRS_]

October. — A lease of the coal under a certain part of the Town Moor, Newcastle, having some years previously been granted by the corporation of that town, to the Rev. Ralph Henry Brandling (who possessed the adjoining land) and Mr. Jobling the sub-lessee having broken the ground at a stone quarry on the west side of the barracks, where he opened a pit, constructed a railway, and erected a staith or place of deposit. About the middle of October, 1828, the stewards of the incorporated companies, who had long been aware of these proceedings, and contended that they were without right, bestirred themselves, and on the 27th of the same month appointed a deputation to inspect the lease. On the 31st a meeting of the stewards was held, when the deputation reported, that the Town clerk had informed them, that, by a lease granted to Mr. Brandling, in 1825, of the Town moor coal, no power was given to break the surface of any part thereof; but that an additional lease had been agreed on by the common council, giving Mr. Brandling power to break the surface, at or near the quarry, to work and bring to bank coals there, got from the moor, and also got from any adjoining lands or collieries, such additional grant being made without any compensation. The company met, and on the 7th of November the stewards assembled, and found that twenty two of the companies opposed and two favoured the working of the coal. The companies determined to support legal proceedings and recommended that the opinion of Mr. Edward H. Alderson, a celebrated counsel be obtained. On the 28th November the stewards met and read Mr. Alderson's opinion, who contended that the right of the corporation to grant the lease must fail unless they could prove that such acts had before been done and submitted to. That the fact of the coals being hitherto worked by outstrokes, was in favour of the freemen. That the right to work stone does not imply the right to work coals, and that it was possible to restore the land to grass after the working of the former, but not after the latter, thereby shewing that the case in question was prejudicial to the rights of the freemen. That, (in conclusion) if any of the acts done by Mr. Brandling were prejudicial to the herbage, or if there was a deficiency after these acts were done, any one of the burgesses, entitled to a right of common by act of 14th Geo. III. might try the question in an action on the case. On the 29th November, the secretary gave notice to Mr. Brandling that if all the erections &c. at the coal mine were not immediately removed that the same would be prostrated by the stewards. This order having been disregarded the report of the opinion of the companies was received at a meeting of the stewards on the 4th of December, when twenty-one of the companies determined to level and fill up the quarry, remove all erections, and to support legal proceedings if necessary. Two companies dissented and, one sent no opinion. It was then resolved that the stewards should meet on the next day to carry these resolutions into effect. At ten o'clock on the morning of Friday the 5th of December the stewards met at the colliery, a duplicate of the notice to Mr. Brandling having been read and the same appearing not to have been complied with, the stewards displaced the railways, laid off the workings, removed the door at the mouth of the shaft, demolished the staith, and razed every other erection. They then gave notice to the under viewer and to other persons present that one week would be allowed for the removal of the materials, and after that period, the pit would be filled up and the surface restored to its original level. On the same day a handbill was issued intimating that the pit and other excavations were open as a deposit for rubbish. No action followed these proceedings. — Minutes of the Body of Stewards, &c. [_LHTB_]

November 10. — Two boys, named Donnison and Lamb, the one eleven, the other twelve years of age, were unfortunately killed in a quarry, situated in Diana's grove, on the north Elswick estate, near Newcastle, where they had been sent by their employer, Thomas Colvin, of Galowgate, tharm maker, to dig coals. In the quarry, there was a passage to an old coal pit, where they dug out the coals which supported the roof, when a huge rock, of about fifteen tons weight fell upon them an crushed them to death. The rock had to be broken into pieces, before the bodies could be recovered. The boys were son and grandson of a man named Donnison, a tailor, who perished in a storm a few years before, at the Cowgate, near Newcastle, in returning from Woolsington. [_LHTB_]

November 20. — A dreadful explosion took place in the Eye Pit, at Washington colliery, upon the river Wear. There were fifteen persons (eleven boys and four men) in the pit when it occurred, all of whom were killed, excepting a man named Michael Hall, the onsetter, who was much burnt. The report was awfully loud, and the blast so powerful, that the machinery at the mouth of the pit was blown down and scattered about to some distance, with corves and other weighty bodies from the bottom of the shaft. The colliery had been examined in the morning, and was considered to be in a state of perfect ventilation. [_LHTB_]

November 28. — This being the day appointed for laying the foundation stones of the new harbour and town of Seaham, in the county of Durham, an immense concourse of people had assembled to witness the imposing ceremony. The marquis and marchioness of Londonderry, accompanied by Lord Ravensworth and family, and other distinguished friends, arrived in their carriages, a little before one o�clock. They then alighted within a short distance of the harbour, and on the line of road which led to it. Here "The Wellington Car," (that in which the illustrious Wellington passed along the colliery wagon ways, when he visited the county of Durham, the preceding year,) was ready to receive them, and into which the distinguished party immediately entered, and were conducted down the railway towards the site of the new harbour, preceded by the marquis�s band of music. On reaching the spot where the ceremony was to take place, the marquis of Londonderry, Sir C. Sharp, and John Buddle, esq., alighted, cheered by the loudest acclamations ; this was a most interesting moment, as Seaham-hall, the church, and many of the neighbouring farm-houses, a wind-mill, and the temporary erections near the harbour, were decorated with flags. Mr. Buddle having mounted the stone, he presented his lordship with a splendid silver trowel, on one side of which was engraved a plan of the new harbour, and on the other the Londonderry arms, and the following inscription :– "This trowel was presented to the most honourable Charles William Vane Stewart, Marquis of Londonderry, by John Buddle, on laying the foundation stone of the north pier of Seaham harbour, this 28th day of Nov., 1828." The handle was formed of Rainton coal, highly polished. Mr. Buddle in presenting this trowel, complimented his lordship as having spent great part of his life as a soldier, and on his now showing a desire to preserve the lives of British seamen, as he regarded this harbour as an undertaking commenced, less to serve his own interest, than from the patriotic motive of affording a place of refuge for shipping on that coast, where a few years ago such disastrous wrecks had taken place, and which he was well assured would have been prevented had the vessels had such a port of safety to have recourse to, as was now about to be constructed. Sir Cuthbert Sharp also spoke on the occasion, and expressed himself of opinion, that this great undertaking, so far from being injurious to the town of Sunderland, as had been conjectured, would be beneficial to it. In a speech of considerable length, Sir Cuthbert was repeatedly and loudly cheered, and having passed a high eulogium upon the noble marquis and his lady, he presented to the latter a flag having the armorial bearings of the noble family, encircled with the motto of "Success to Seaham Harbour." The marquis of Londonderry then laid the foundation stone of the north-east pier of the inner harbour. His lordship observed, that he was delighted to see so many friends around him on this occasion; he had commenced, he said, the great undertaking, in honour of which they were now assembled, less for his own advantage than for serving the public, and for advancing the commercial interests of the county of Durham. He had begun it by the advice of his valued friend Mr. Buddle, and when he considered that he not only had the opinion of Mr. Chapman, the engineer, but also of Mr. Telford, and of Mr. Rennie in his favour, he could not help confidently looking forward to a successful termination. The cheering which followed his lordship�s speech, which had been delivered with much feeling, lasted for some time, and a salute of 34 guns was fired from the neighbouring cliff to signify the conclusion of the first ceremony. As the car was drawn from the beach, the noble family was again loudly cheered. On reaching the summit of the bank, Mr. Chapman, the engineer, presented himself, and handing to the noble marquis a plan of the harbour, took occasion to deliver a few observations on the forwardness of the work which had been so recently commenced, and on the future extent of its utility. Mr. Chapman�s speech was loudly cheered. The marquis and marchioness, and their friends having alighted from the car, walked round the limits of the harbour to inspect the progress of the works, and then re-entering their barouche, drawn by four beautiful horses, they proceeded to the spot where the foundation stone of the first house of Seaham town was to be laid by viscount Seaham. The marquis and his interesting little boy, here descended from the carriage, and were received by John Dobson, esq., of Newcastle, architect, who in presenting a plan of the intended town to lord Seaham, who was to lay the foundation stone, observed, that in preparing the design, he had calculated on that place becoming a port of considerable eminence, and he trusted that his gallant father and accomplished mother would have cause to look back with pride on the proceedings of that day. Mr. Dobson then presented the young lord with a very handsome silver trowel, the handle formed of limestone of a very fine description, with which the Seaham estate abounds. Lord Seaham, who had not attained his eighth year, replied to Mr. Dobson, as follows :– "Mr. Dobson, I thank you. I cannot make a speech, but I wish success to the town, and happiness to the people." His lordship having completed the ceremony, the cheers of the assembled multitude, were followed by another salute of 34 guns from the cliff, and the crowd then moved gradually to the northward, notice having been given that all persons were required to retire beyond a certain barrier, prior to the firing of a mine, which was to blow into the air a large mass of rock, to commemorate the occurrences of the day. Sufficient time was given for this purpose, and a signal gun was fired two minutes before the springing of the mine, that all persons might be upon their guard and look to their own safety. The explosion at length took place, and the rock was shivered to pieces in a moment, and parts of it were hurled into the air and scattered for some distance round. Three persons who had not attended to the caution were injured by the fall of the fragments, one man having a shoulder dislocated, another his arm broken, and a boy received a severe contusion. The marquis and marchioness of Londonderry and their friends, after witnessing the explosion, retired to Seaham hall, where a sumptuous banquet was provided for a very large assemblage of the most respectable gentry in the county of Durham, and of the adjoining counties. The health of the marchioness of Londonderry preceded all others, and was drunk with repeated cheers. �The marquis of Londonderry,� �Lord Seaham, and the junior branches of the family,� and �Success to Seaham harbour,� followed, and were received with the most enthusiastic applause. The company, consisting of nearly 400 persons, were not less gratified by the elegant profusion on the board, than with the courtesy, kindness, and condescension of the noble host and hostess. The proceedings of this day will be long recollected with pleasure and satisfaction, as well by those who partook of the splendid hospitality of Seaham hall, as by those who were spectators of the noble and important proceedings of laying the foundation stones of a new harbour and town. The number of persons present, at the most moderate calculation, may be stated at 7,000. The brass plate, hermetically sealed in a glass case, deposited beneath the pier, bore the following inscription :–

"Charles William Vane,
Third Marquis of Londonderry,
Viscount Castlereagh and Baron Stewart,
Of Mount Stewart, and of Ballilawn in Ireland,
And
First Earl Vane and Viscount Seaham
Of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
K.C.B., G.C.H., K.B.E., K.R.E., K.S.G., K.S., K.T.S., &c. &c.
Laid the Foundation Stone
Of Seaham Harbour,
A. D., 1828, Nov. 28th.

Having married Frances Anne Vane Tempest, only daughter of Sir Henry Vane Tempest, bart., by Anne, Countess of Antrim, he became possessed of the estates and collieries of the Vane and Tempest families of the county of Durham, and having added and annexed the estate of Seaham to the same, he embarked in the construction of this harbour, with an humble and confident hope of facilitating the exportation of the produce of the mines, and of augmenting the commercial interest of the county of Durham. In this undertaking, the founder has been chiefly advised by the tried experience and indefatigable industry of his valued friend and agent,

John Buddle, Esq., of Wallsend.
William Chapman, Esq., Engineer.

The inscription on the plate placed in the foundation stone of the town was as follows :–

"George Henry Robert Charles Vane,
Viscount Seaham,
Laid the Foundation Stone
Of the First House of Seaham Town,
Nov. 28th, 1828, A, D.
John Dobson, Esq., Architect."

[_LRS_]

December 1. — A melancholy accident occurred at Townley-main colliery, near Stella. The river Tyne having been swelled to an unusual height by a continued rain, the water reached an old boreing which communicated with the workings, and poured into the mine in such quantities as to drown an old man who was unfortunately below, and fourteen horses. [_LRS_]

December 2. — A dispute took place between the corporation of Newcastle and the stewards of the corporated companies of that town, as to the right of the former, or their lessee, to break the ground for the purpose of coming at the minerals beneath the town-moor, the property of the freemen. The corporation having granted a lease to the Rev. R. H. Brandling (who possessed the adjoining land) of the coal under the town-moor, and that with a view to work it, Mr. Brandling or his sub-lessee, had broken the surface at a stone quarry on the west side of the barracks, where he had opened a pit, constructed a railway, and erected a depot. This, the stewards contended, Mr. B. had no right to do; and having obtained the opinion of an eminent barrister (Mr. Alderson) in their favour, they gave Mr. Brandling notice to remove his erections, and to restore the ground to its former state. Mr. B. having disregarded this notice, the stewards met on the above day (Friday), at the place in question, when they threw down the depot, displaced the railways, and laid off the working of the coal; they also issued an order for rubbish to be led, and the excavation filled up. No action followed these proceedings. [_LRS_]

• LHTB — Local Historian's Table Book of Remarkable Occurrences Connected with the Counties of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Northumberland and Durham by M.A. Richardson. Published in five volumes in 1844.
• LRS — Local Records or Historical Register of Remarkable Events by John Sykes, published in 1833 in two volumes