Jeff
  • Jeff
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16 years ago
Uploaded a document to the Coniston Coppermine page.

The press had a way with words back then!

Could someone add a link to it please?
Jeff
Captain Scarlet
16 years ago
"Jeff" wrote:



Could someone add a link to it please?
Jeff



http://www.aditnow.co.uk/documents/Coniston-Copper-Mine/Millichans-Wheel.pdf 
STANDBY FOR ACTION!!!!...
dave_p
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16 years ago
Thomas was my great-great-grandfather! I'd read the brief mention in Eric Holland's book but it is fascinating to see the article from the newspaper of the day.

Thomas's son Mark was interviewed in 1842 by Lord Ashley's Commission into working conditions in the mines. The text reads: "He is 16 years old and works at the copper mine. Tubbs, that is, works the jigging machine. He does not work in the winter and has been at work for about 6 years. He gets 1s. 2d. a day. He never went to day school but learned to read at Sunday School and to write at night school. He learns ciphering and knows figures but has not yet learned much. He works 10 hours a day." (Attrib. Ian Winstanley at the Coal Mining History Resource Centre.)

Jeff
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16 years ago
In reply to Dave-p.

Yes that article must be very interesting for you. I was very pleased to reproduce it for this site. It amazed me that something thought to be a "tall story" was true.

One thing I could not find out is where Thomas was buried? It does not appear to be in Coniston. Do you know?

Jeff
Vanoord
16 years ago
"dave_p" wrote:

"He is 16 years old and works at the copper mine. Tubbs, that is, works the jigging machine. He does not work in the winter and has been at work for about 6 years.



Was that usual?
Hello again darkness, my old friend...
dave_p
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16 years ago
"Vanoord" wrote:


Was that usual?



Holland's book states that the surface workers could only work daylight hours, and that in the winter the jobs involving water could not be done in freezing conditions. However some children did carry on working. The Millicans had several breadwinners and maybe they decided not to send young Mark out to work.
Vanoord
16 years ago
Aha! Above ground, of course!

Serves me right for not reading what it was he did properly! 😉
Hello again darkness, my old friend...
Pfeiffs
14 years ago
Quote:

Thomas was my great-great-grandfather! I'd read the brief mention in Eric Holland's book but it is fascinating to see the article from the newspaper of the day.



That makes us ThirdCousins Twice Removed! Thomas' youngest son Wesley was my G.G.Great Grandfather.

In researching my family tree I came across this article and was amazed by the event. It's not something you imagine happening in your own family.

Very keen to arrange a holiday to the UK to visit Coniston now! Thanks very much to Jeff for the article.


Mike Pfeiffer
Sydney, Australia
Jeff
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14 years ago
Thanks Pfeiffs.
Glad you enjoyed the article...it is a gem.
That to me is what this great site is all about...sharing info.

It is amazing how what is often thought to be a handed down story, probably embellished and exaggerated over the decades turns out to be pretty accurate!

The only thing missing from the article is where Thomas was buried? If you are able to give any information relating to that event it would be great. I could then update the article and re-upload it to the Coniston mine page.

Thanks again.

Jeff.

Ps. Should you make it over to Coniston at some point let me know as I would certainly be willing to give you a tour of the surface workings.

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