Report – Joseph Dickinson to Martin Morrison – 12 Apr 1810

      Dufton 12th April 1810.



Mr Morrison

      I now sit down to give the state of the different Mines to begin this Quarter and first with Coalcleugh which is poorer than last, and in <..> the lowest prices a little advanced, Six men to raise Ore at 26s per Bing, 4 Men at 28s, 6 at 30s, 14 at 32s 6 at 36s and upwards to 50s per Bing for about 60  men; very few of these can draw a shift of work to bank under 19s. Wellhope Lead mine nearly done, only 4 men working in the old ground at 50s per Bing. Hartley Cleugh is coming in to supply the place of Wellhope there being now 12 men now working at 42s per Bing and 4 men at 50s per Bing; the Levels are still driving forward to cut veins which that tryal was founded upon, and expect some of them will be discovered very soon.  A Mole Catcher near to Whitfield Hall had found a piece of Ore, and wanted a Lease of the ground where it was found. I sent Mr Little to acquaint him that no Lease would be granted, if what he had found, led  to the discovery of a vein of Lead Ore he should be employed as a Workman and rewarded accordingly;  after some demur he led them to a place where he turned out a piece of Ore upwards of 20lb weight and from its rusty appearance hath been broken from the vein many years since; it is near to Allen Water which at that place is upon a Limestone, but the water being high at that time no discovery could be made. I expect next Quarter to give you a further Account.

      Allenheads Lead Mines, have done very well last Quarter and the prices at the East end reduced to 20 & 25s per Bing and one at West end at 20s from that to 50s per Bing about 80 men, and upwards of 20 men at £12 per F[ath]om. There is a hopeful appearance in the new vein at West end, the limestone only coming up and very strong Ore to the top of the Sill; the Air being gone we are obliged to sink a shaft before a further tryal can be made.

      Weardale Lead mines, in general poor, and require high prices; Breckonsike all at 50s per Bing except 8 men at 40s. Burtree Pasture at 50s except 24 men at 48s per Bing, Sedlin nearly all at 50s per Bing, Killhope at 50s per Bing with very little variation; Middlehope Shield 24 men at 45s and 16 men at 50s per Bing but there is still a heavy expence on that place in driving two levels and making convenience for a Crushing Mill. Slitt poor in general both East & West except the forehead of Top Level Westward which is very far from any relief and will be attended with a considerable expense in making consequence for regular working, Longsike only about 12 men at 50s per Bing. Greenlaws a very uncertain and expensive mine, If the Ore pay for driving levels and making Tryals, is as much as I expect from her present appearance. Levelgate very little Ore raised and a great expence in driving Level and making Tryals; Blackdean, very poor only about 6 men at 50s per Bing and 16 men driving Levels etc; Wolfcleugh continues poor; 4 Partnerships (being 16 men) at 50s per Bing and 4 men at 45s per Bing, 30 men in dead work, besides 8 men driving a Level near Tho Smiths House: Crawlah poor by Report, was disappointed seeing that Mine, being obliged to stop (it being so very wet) to view Brandon Walls new vein which is coming into Col: Beaumonts liberty, only two foot short; this vein hath a better appearance than the former, we offered 4 Guineas for getting Ore until Michaelmas next, when the Bargains for the other will expire, and then the Bargains may be renewed for a Year according to their situations; Langtyhead mine, I did not see, but report says very poor.

      I am yours Jos Dickinson