In Postlethwaite's "Mines & Mining in the Lake District" he mentions that
"In Cumberland, coal was probably first worked at Bolton, about the year
1567" and that Bolton Colliery supplied the Copper Smelting Works at
Keswick. He goes on to say "About sixty years ago, some old workings were
broken into at Bridgefoot Colliery, and a very antiquated pick, made of oak
wood, having its ends only tipped with iron, was found within them, ....".
Is anybody able to give an approximate date for these old workings?
I ask because it's been noted by Chris Dickinson that births, deaths and
marriages at Dean jumped quite remarkably in 1570 and subsequent years. We
are wondering if perhaps an outcrop of coal was being worked along the
Marron valley to supply the Keswick works.
Happy New Year to all.
Edgar
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