Dukesfield Documents | DUKESFIELD - Smelters and Carriers Project

Dukesfield Documents

A North-eastern history research archive centred on the Blackett and Beaumont lead business records – and much more besides- between the mid 17th and mid 19th centuries.

Volunteers have transcribed thousands of letters and other documents to create a free, fully searchable, online collection of material. This began as part of the ‘Dukesfield Smelters and Carriers Project’ between 2012 and 2015.

This site brings together digital versions of manuscripts held in local archives alongside much more obscure material in distant collections and recently discovered documents in private hands. Full transcripts of each source document, most comprising many individual letters or other items, can be downloaded, and each item is also held separately within the searchable online database. This structure and search capability means, for example, that correspondence long separated between different physical archival locations can now be reunited.

‘Dukesfield Documents’ is provided to help stimulate and support future research into varied aspects of social, economic, political and family history of the North East of England and beyond, between the 17th and 19th centuries.

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Over 3.9 million words and 15,000 letters, reports and other documents have been transcribed and made available so far by around 30 volunteers over the course of more than 12 years. A standard approach to editing and presentation has been followed and applied wherever possible. Please note that the vast amount of material means that it has not always been possible for the volunteers to check and double-check the accuracy to the levels normally found in published and annotated editions of primary source material. The editing conventions indicate words or phrases that are unclear to the transcriber, but we cannot discount the possibility that other occasional mistakes have been made, or editing or presentational inconsistencies introduced.

Hopefully this is far outweighed by the value of digitising and integrating such a wide range of material from disparate sources to provide a highly accessible research resource. Clear references to the original source documents are always provided so that they may be consulted by researchers who wish to go further. If you can use the contents in your own research we will have achieved one of our main aims. We ask only that you acknowledge ‘Dukesfield Documents’ and the web address www.dukesfield.org.uk/documents in any published work.

The search facilities and downloads are supported with background information on the principal correspondents, brief descriptions on the archival collections from which the contents are drawn, a glossary, guides to further reading and support, editing conventions, and the project story. There are occasional notes to accompany a few of the items, but otherwise the collection is simply a digitised version of the primary material. Explore the options given in the navigation. A long series of 18th century lead production figures compiled from financial accounts are available here in spreadsheet form.

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Document of the Day

Report – Joseph Dickinson to Martin Morrison – 18 Oct 1810

Mr Morrison 							Dufton 18th October 1810



       I now give you the state of the different Lead Mines under Col Beaumont, as I found them at Michelmass Quarter, and found—

       Coalcleugh, which continues poor, the principle part of the Ore raised is from the West Flatts, should they decline or be worked out before the East end is driven through the other cross Vein, Coalcleugh would be in a poor state indeed. 

       Wellhope Mine nearly worked out, only about 4 Men at 40s per Bing.

       Hartley Cleugh Mine continues to raise Ore from different Veins, since my last another small vein being discovered at that place, of a different point from any of the rest, and had produced about 100 Bings of Ore the last quarter the intended veins being not yet cut. The Ore Bargains at these places let from 26s to 50s per Bing.

       Swinhope Mine In my last you were informed, that one Set of Pumps could not gain upon the Water lo[o]sed in that Vein in the Great Limestone; since that, two Sets of Pumps and a lot of Water drawers could not gain upon it, and we are now driving another length Westward, the Sill continuing to rise, the Lime Sill will be nearer the level, and shall there make another tryal.

       Allenheads Mine hath done very well last quarter, particularly the East End, but from the present appearance, is upon the decline. A strong string which joined that Vein on the North Side, and hath continued with the Main Vein about 100 fathoms, is now likely to leave her to the South, and fear the Main Vein will not be as good when they seperate. I expected it from the appearance last Quarter. The West End still continues to raise Ore in small quantities, but the best part is worked out, the New Vein to the West, mentioned in April last, produces only a small quantity of Ore the limestone being too much broken in that part, but believe it will answer better, when proved to the West of the Great Cross Vein; the Shaft on that side, now sinking, will open a way to prove both that and the other discovered before; The Old Workings in general poor, the Prices for raising Ore this Quarter from 21s to 50s per Bing.

       Weardale – Breckonsike – poor both under level and above; the above workings nearly worked out, and the under level not yet to where she was good in the Great Lime above, now let from 45s to 50s per Bing.

Burtree Pasture hath done very well and likely to continue, is now let from 25s to 50s per Bing, but more at 50s than 25s per B[in]g.

Sedlin Mine Employs considerably more Men, since the Engine was settled, and Whimsey Shaft opened, but in general at 50s per Bing.

Killhope nearly as before, employs about 20 Men & all at 50s per B[in]g.

Slitt Mine is now raising Ore in the four fathom Limestone (West forehead) now let at 36s per Bing, and 12 others raising Ore at 50s per Bing.

Middlehopeshield Mine doing well, employs about 100 Men, continues hard, and not likely to work at a low price, is now let from 37s to 40s per Bing

Wolfcleugh Mine continues poor, employs about 24 Men at 50s per Bing, but is obliged to have nearly as many in driving Levels etc. 

Crawlah Mine nearly the same as before, emloys 10 Men at 50s per Bing. We are preparing for a Level, there being none as yet, and most of them have to draw water out of their Workings, at a great Expence.

Levelgate Mine – 8 Men driving the Level to Longsike at 160s per F[atho]m & 4 Men at 50s per Bing.

Black Dean poor. 16 Men in deadwork and 4 Men to raise Ore at 50s per Bing

Allercleugh – 14 Men at 35s & 42s per Bing and 10 Men by Bing and Fathom.

Greenlaws Mine. 12 Men at 50s per Bing, 16 Men by Bing & Fathom, 8 Men driving Level at 126s per fathom.

Longsike Mine – 4 Men at 50s per B[in]g & 8 Men sinking into the Veins to the North.

Longtyhead Mine – 10 Men to raise Ore at 50s per B[in]g & 8 to drive a Level

Brandon Walls Mine – to give Alex. Whaly & Co. 90s per Bing for raising Ore in that Mine, and at Thorney Brow Mine to give him 84s per Bing and 40s per f[atho]m for 8 fathoms driving in the Vein, which is poor, these bargains to continue to October 1811.

Harupgill Mine by Jos. Londsdale their Agent, to give that Co. 100s per Bing to October next 1811, of which 1/12th to the Rector of Wolsingham, 1/6th to Col Beaumont, and the rest to Harupgill Co.



You have the whole in as plain a manner, as I can describe. I am etc

       Jos. Dickinson