Report – Thomas Dodd – 29 Jul 1807

Document Type: Report
Date: 29 Jul 1807
Correspondent: Thomas Dodd
Archive Source: NEIMME LLC 40
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      Nenthead 29th July 1807

Hon[oure]d Masters				

      After tak[in]g a General Survey as usual of the Company’s Mines under my Care, I let on 25th, 26th, & 27th past the Bargains, of which a List is annexed. Agreeable to the Courts orders I have reduced the prices of all Bargains & of course the number of hands is much reduced, as many of the poor pickings cannot be Wrought at the prices now given, & upon the whole the Business has been difficult. – Rampgill & Scaleburnmoss are both doing well – Jos[eph] Blalock &c are Driv[ing] a Level upon the great Limestone & will soon Sink into the Vein – W[illia]m Wharton &c are repair[ing] a Level as a necessary convenience to the Mine.  At Scaleburnmoss Jos[eph] Hall &c are Driv[ing] the deep Level, which is the general drain to the Mine – T. Hewitson &c are Cutting across to the Vein in the great Limestone – J. Hunter &c are Sink[ing] a Shaft upon the N. Vein & Successful.

      SmallCleugh Mine is Working to advantage – W[illia]m Richardson &c are driv[ing] the Horse Level to prepare the Vein & Flats for rais[ing] Ore – J. Stobbart &c are Driv[ing] the Engine foot Level which drains the whole Mine – W[illia]m Cousin &c are Sink[ing] a Sump in the great Limestone to cause a Circulation of fresh Air thro’ the Mine.

      MiddleCleugh is poor & the n[umber] of Men reduced R. Briggs &c are driv[ing] one of the Horse Levels, which opens a Communicatioon with the Vein – J[oh]n Patrick &c are Sink[ing] a Sump & will soon try the Vein – Mat[thew] Cousin &c are Cutting across to prove the Vein in the little Limestone. –

      HangingshawCross Vein is poor, but will raise Ore so as to be kept from loss – R. Readshaw &c are Driv[ing] a Level to drain the Vein of Water. – T. Walton &c are Driv[ing] an upper Level at Broomsberry & Gudamgillmoss, which will open the vein afresh in the <bear[ing]> Strata, where we shall meet with Ore & put that part of the Mine in a Work State which has long laid dormant. –

      Garrigill Mines are still in a poor State & the number of Men much reduced. – I have put these Mines as well as all others of the Company’s Works under the most frugal arrangem[en]ts

in my power, being fully persuaded that the appearance of the pres[ent] times requires the utmost Caution & Circumspection in Mining Concerns: – Jos[eph] Lancaster &c are Sinking a Sump, which when finished will greatly relieve Broning S. Vein – At Tynebottom T. Bell &c are Sink[ing] a Sump & will soon finish – W[illia]m Thomason &c are driv[ing] the Horse Level & J[ame]s Teasdale &c are Sink[ing] a Sump into the great Limestone. –

      Lodgesyke (Teesdale) This Mine is hopeful & raises ore to advantage – T. Robson &c are driv[ing] the Horse Level & J[oh]n Gelding &c are Sinking a Shaft to prove the Vein on unexplored Ground. – 

      Wiregill is become very poor & employs few hands – J. Nixon &c are driv[ing] the Horse level, which will drain the Vein Eastw[ar]d where it is unwrought & I hope in future will raise a good deal of Ore – G. Allison &c are Driv[ing] the deep Horse Level.

      Mannergill is poor & will scarcely be saved from loss, but the necessary trials shall be carefully Conducted Ja[me]s Ainsly &c are driv[ing] the Horse Level & J[oh]n Bainbridge &c are driv[ing] an upper Level for the relief of, & prov[ing] the Vein in the upper Strata. – J. Watson &c are driv[ing] the new Level at Flakebrigg. – Middlehope Mine still does well, but employs fewer hands on acc[oun]t of the reduct[ion] of prices – R. Elliot &c are driv[ing] the deep Level as a  general drain to the Mine. – Cha[rle]s Maddison &c are driving the Horse Level & Tho[ma]s Gleason &c are driv[ing] an upper Level & will shortly Sink a Sump to try the Vein. – J. Kidd &c are driv[ing] the level at Ireshopeburn & John Johnson &c the Horse level at Coldberry. –

      I am sorry to say that the Lead & Ore Markets look worse & worse; there has not been a pound of Ore sold in the Moor, & the little petty Comp[anies] are all nearly at a stand, not being able to sell their Ore, nor have they either Money or Credit, of course this Country will shortly be in a poor situation. – Mr Tilson will give the Court the Contents of the Trial with Easterby Hall & Co. This Business has prevented me from send[ing] this Acc[oun]t sooner.

      I am &c

      Tho[ma]s Dodd

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The Dukesfield Smelters and Carriers Project aimed to celebrate and discover the heritage of the Dukesfield Arches & lead carriers' routes between Blaydon and the lead mines of Allendale and Weardale. A two year community project, it was led by the Friends of the North Pennines in partnership with Hexhamshire and Slaley Parish Councils and the active support of Allendale Estates. It was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the generous support of other sponsors. Friends of the North Pennines: Charity No:1137467