The MRO plan of Wheal Dollar at CRO Truro (MRO R306B) shows shallow
workings (?10 fathoms deep) with two shafts both pumped by a horse engine
up to a shallow adit. I have a redrawn copy of this, if you want to see the
original please note that I understand the MRO plans at Truro will shortly
be withdrawn by the HSE for digitising.
This section presumably predates the 1820's when there was a small steam
engine erected (sale notice amongst the newspaper refs quoted).
I have never heard of a stone being thrown into a shaft as a method of
repossessing a sett - usually a notice of forfeiture was attached to the
count house, capstan, or some other similar feature. What if someone was
working in the shaft at the time?
It may be worth checking the books of proceedings of the Stannary Court at
CRO which perhaps give more details - I don't think these are indexed for
individual mines. I havn't seen them myself but some time ago put Allen
Buckley onto these for an earlier date, he indicated these are well worth
further research.
Alasdair Neill.
On Wed, 15 Nov 2006 09:15:50 +0000, John C Symons <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
>Help, please.
>
>I came across the following in a legal document:
>
>… the said William Hockin thereupon threw a Stone into the Shaft of
>the said Engine House and declared in the presence of the said
>William Nicholls and of this Deponent that he entered upon the
>premises comprized in the said Indenture for the purpose of making
>void the same and all license and authourities thereby given to John
>Rosewarne and Thomas Pearce …
>
>This was contained in an affadavit presented to the Stannary Court by
>William Hockin, and I would like to know if the throwing of a stone
>into the shaft was significant, and the approved means of reclaiming
>the sett when in default of the conditions set out in that indenture.
>Furthermore, can any one help with any information on Wheal Dollar
>which was situated in the parish of Zennor. The affadavit refers to
>operations, or lack of, during the period 1834 to 1841. I am aware of
>the material in Cyril Noall's The St Ives Mining District, and that
>in Dines. Also I'm awaiting relevant photocopies from the
>contemporary Cornish newspapers. I would particularly welcome any
>information regarding an earlier period of working in the 1820s. Does
>any one know of the whereabouts of the original Indenture for the
>1830s working or a plan of the mine?
>
>Any help would be most appreciated.
>
>Best wishes
>
>John
>========================================================================
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