Wheal Remfry Clay Mine · AditNow Community

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castles99uk
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

16 years ago

Does anyone have any data on the origins of Wheal Remfry and the connection with the Remfry name. I am researching the mining family of Remfry and wondered if anyone had any information.
Thanks, Paul.

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Dolcoathguy
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

I will have a delve around next week in the work library, we used to have lots of details on the Clay mines a few years ago.
(Imerys employee) otherwise will ask some of the guys here who are into Clay district history.

Is it safe to come out of the bunker yet?

Dolcoathguy
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

Sorry for late reply....
Some Workings in that area were sold to Henry Remfry and John James of Truro in 1872 (ref. R.Barton History of China Clay 1966, some good pics that could be scanned in, but may need permission of Bradford Barton?). Wheal Remfry Clay Brick and Tile co listed in 1906, became part of ECC then Imerys, Clay pit still in operation producing Ceramic grade Kaolins.
If you need to go into more depth probably Wheal Martyn Museum can help you (they have more resources, as many of the books in the once massive ECC library ended up there).
There are several references to Henry Remfry in that era, not sure if they refer to the same person.

Is it safe to come out of the bunker yet?

spitfire
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

Henry Remfry in 1874 purchased shares in Virginia clay pit from Jacob Olver. At the end of a clay slump,he along with John James of Truro and George Rogers purchased Wheal Remfry which had been a iron mine named Wheal Edith in 1878
Remfry and James latter sold out to Joseph Rogers of Newquay
who in turn sold his holding to Pochin & Co in 1919.
The pit was absorbed into ECLP in 1932.
Henry Remfry also owned a Knitting mill in the village of Retew adjacent to Wheal Remfry

spitfire

Dolcoathguy
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

Spitfire
Thanks for posting interesting photos, some of the guys at work would be very interested to see them. You must have a huge library at home!

Is it safe to come out of the bunker yet?

spitfire
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

Thanks for that Dolcoathguy, they came from the history group and I forgot to credit them I will get that fixed

spitfire

Dolcoathguy
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

Castles,
Link to China Clay history soc. contact below should you want to research this further,
http://www.wheal-martyn.com/archivesintro.html

Is it safe to come out of the bunker yet?

spitfire
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

Reg' the history group. I have gone through what they have and there is nothing more regarding the Remfry's than has been posted. all the rest regarding the pit is in the Pochin era and after.

spitfire

ICLOK
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

I just came across a map of the area so thought I might as well post the Remfry bit.🔗Personal-Album-856-Image-36831[linkphoto]Personal-Album-856-Image-36831[/linkphoto][/link]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh Creeper!!!!!

Dolcoathguy
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

#10

Thanks Spitfire, re Water wheels in the picture, we suspect the remains of one or more of them are still around in the undergrowth around the Melbur/Virginia/remfry pit complex.

Is it safe to come out of the bunker yet?

digger 1
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

#11

There is a water wheel half exposed in virginia pit.

spitfire
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

#12

There is indeed, look in the Virginia album

spitfire

digger 1
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

#13

I don't think that is the one i was referring to.
There is one just off the main haul road between Melbur and Virginia.

spitfire
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

#14

I think it is. The whole lay-out has changed since that photo' was taken over twenty years ago. All the trees have gone and the wheel is left exposed as an island and its future is far from secure

spitfire

Dolcoathguy
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

16 years ago

#15

2 of the guys well known for Historical interests have retired or left Imerys recently in 2009, so that is two less people able to possibly influence or to help save Industrial archeology on the Imerys sites. One hope would be with Wheal Martyn museum stepping in to save some of the archeology, but I guess they are restricted by funding restraints and probably have a whole list of projects on their "to do" list.

Is it safe to come out of the bunker yet?