Changing Scotland & Britain: 1830 - 1930 Mining

Evidence for 1842 Mines Commission JANE JOHNSHON - age 26, draws coal - Preston-Hall Colliery, Cranston, Mid-Lothian: I was seven and a half years of age when my uncle first yoked me to the work, as father and mother were dead; it was at Sheriff-Hall and I carried coal on my back; I could carry 2cwt. when 15 years of age but I now feel the weakness upon me from the strains.  I have been married near 10 years and had 4 children; have usually wrought till within one or two days of the children's birth.  Many women lose their strength early from overwork and get injured in their backs and legs; was crushed by a stone some time since and forced to lose one of my fingers.  I cannot read; never was taught; my three children, girls of the age of 8, 5, and 2 years, I leave at home; a wench comes to see after them and take them to the school.  None know how to read at present.

Evidence for 1842 Mines Commission AGNES KERR - age 15, coal bearer - Dryden Colliery, Mid-Lothian: Was nine years old when commenced carrying coals; carry on father's account; make 18 to 20 journeys a-day; a journey to and fro is about 200 to 250 fathom; have to ascend and descend many ladders; can carry 1.5 cwt.  I do not know how many feet there are in a fathom but I think two or three yards: know the distance from habit; it is sore crushing work; many lassies cry as they bring up the burthens.  Accidents frequently happen from the tugs breaking and the loads falling on those behind and the lasses are much fashed with swelled ankles.  I canna say that I like the work well; for I am obliged to do it; it is horse work.  Was at school five years since.  I was in the Bible [can read well]; forgotten all about it.  Jesus Christ led the Jews out of Egypt: believes Jesus was God; does not recollect what death he died, or the names of any books in the Bible or Testiment.  Often goes to buy meal; gets a peck; can't say whether it weighs 7lb. or 14lb.; can't sew or knit.  I would go to kirk if I had clothes.

Evidence for 1842 Mines Commission JANET CUMMING - age 11, bears coals - Mid-Lothian: I gang with the women at five and come up at five at night.  I work all night on Fridays, and come away at twelve in the day.  I carry the large bits of coal from the wall face to the pit bottom, and the small pieces called chows in a creel.  The weight is usually a hundredweight.  I do not know how many pounds there are in a hundredweight but it is some weight to carry.  It takes three journeys to fill a tub of 4 cwt.  The distance varies as the work is not always on the same wall, sometimes 150 fathoms, whiles 250 fathoms.  The roof is very low and I have to bend my back and legs and the water comes frequently up to the calves of my legs. I have no liking for the work, father makes me like it.  I never got hurt, but often am obliged to scramble out of the pit when bad air is in.

Getting Into & Out Of A Mine

A Bell Pit Can you think why this type of mine was called a ‘bell pit’?

Coal Bearers

Trapper What was the function of this child in a mine?

Getting Coal To The Surface

What is the job of this female in a mine?

1880 These women were pictured for a newspaper. What do you think they were doing?

Pit Girls

Pit Girls

The Davy Safety Lamp Explain how this lamp helped improve safety in coal mines.

A Pitboy

Pit Boy With Pony c. 1911

Digging The Coal

Roof Supports c 1910