Potts
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17 years ago
My GG Grandfather, George Williams was Mining Captain at the T.G. Silver Lead Mine in Trawsfynydd on the 1851 census and I then believe he moved to the gold mines near Dolgellau. I cannot find this mine listed on this site, so was it known by another name and does anyone have any information on George Williams?

Nigel
Barney
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17 years ago
Hi potts,
I presume you mean TG silver lead mine is the one you cant find on the site, as opposed to the Dolgellau gold mines?
It may be that this mine was known by a more popular name. Do you know what the letters T and G represent? There is, i believe, a manganese mine in that area, may be one and the same.
Davel is an expert in that area, he just may know the answer!
royfellows
17 years ago
Logically, the TG stands for "Tyddyn Gwladys" SH 735266 which is usually regarded as a gold mine, however the lodes also carry galena and sphalerite. According to Foster Smith it was not worked for these minerals after 1862, however Dewey and Smith (BGS Memoirs) regard galena as the principal ore.
From what you have posted there is a 'gold' connection.

There are about 10 mines in the Trawsfynydd area, some only trials, but most principally for copper or gold.

Addition
Yes I was right. Tyddyn Gwladys Silver Lead and Gold Mining Co, £30,000 share capital in £1 shares. George Williams manager, also managed Dolfrwynog. Replaced by Ezekiel Williamson. At Dolfrwynog he was criticised over his drink problem by one of the shareholders, and was discharged in 1864. Also blamed for the lack of success of the mine. Sorry.

Ref. The Gold Mines of Merioneth by George Hall, pages 41 and 42.



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Potts
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17 years ago
Thanks for your swift and detailed replies. Perhaps not the content I would have wanted re; his potential dismissal, but all bvery interesting. I think he died in 1864, so that would fit in. Where do you get all this information from?

Potts
royfellows
17 years ago
"Potts" wrote:

Where do you get all this information from?

Potts



A lot of it is all in my head, plus I have a vast library of mining books dating back to the 1970s, also knowing where to look and having a mining bibliography database
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Manicminer
17 years ago
Galena is the dominant ore mineral and carries higher silver values than most of the mines in the area.
I have seen some nice samples of gold from this mine :thumbup:
Gold is where you find it
Barney
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17 years ago
The old surface related buildings are currently for sale with a lot of land!
T G still has a bit of underground visible, unfortunately the main workings are flooded below river level.
merddinemrys
17 years ago
The smaller office building at Tyddyn Gwladys had been almost completely knocked down to be rebuilt. I will post a photograph when I get home tonight.

The 1851 census shows people living at TG Silver-Lead Mine, Trawsfynydd. I'm surprised that Tyddyn Gwladys would come under Traws and not Ganllwyd or Dolgellau. Here's the http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/MER/Trawsfynydd/Trawsfynydd_08.html  to the census.
Barney
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17 years ago
"merddinemrys" wrote:

The smaller office building at Tyddyn Gwladys had been almost completely knocked down to be rebuilt. I will post a photograph when I get home tonight.



Would that be the office/smithy/workshop thats a great place to stay?
Manicminer
17 years ago
"Barney" wrote:

"merddinemrys" wrote:

The smaller office building at Tyddyn Gwladys had been almost completely knocked down to be rebuilt. I will post a photograph when I get home tonight.



Would that be the office/smithy/workshop thats a great place to stay?



It's the small white cottage by the adit 😉

Gold is where you find it
Barney
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17 years ago
The (now ex owner, still owner of most of the rest of the site) told me that behind the false wall in the kitchen sits the old smithy's hearth
Manicminer
17 years ago
Last time I passed, the gable end nearest to the river was gone and the roof held up by a few pieces of timber. It looks like the new owner is extending the building towards Mostyn Cottages.
Gold is where you find it
Barney
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17 years ago
I saw in February that the foundations were being dug for an extension, another piece of history partly destroyed! There is a picture of the building from years ago kicking around on the internet somewhere

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