The source regarding Leviathon Lead Co. was Mining Journal - letters re the lead trade about February/March 1843. It seems it was one of the major concerns active in the area.
The source regarding the water pressure engine was the National Library of Wales online catalogue, Powis Estate correspondence; there are many other refs to Shropshire mines included which I would like to follow up at some stage. I don't really have the opportunity to get to the NLW at present. The Fairchance engine was covered in David Bick's books and write ups in Welsh Mines Society newsletters.
Alasdair Neill.
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From: M J Shaw <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Monday, 8 December, 2008 11:10:31
Subject: Re: Shropshire Lead Mines - Leviaton Co & Water Pressure Engines
Leviathon Lead company I have not heard of but there we several small mines tried in the Grit locality, e.g. Benree though I have no record of this mine until the 1850s, White Grit East seems to have been separate mine at times in the mid 19th century, there was a South East White Grit of which I know nothing and there was mining/trials on Stapeley Hill just to the west. What is your source for the Leviathon Mining company please?
In 1760 Bog mine had a water engine about which John Lawrence wrote, bemoaning the level of water ingress, copy below with gaps I cannot decipher.
Mr. John Scott/Sir 24th October 1760
: I have Sent you the bill inclosed the water Is verry much increst within thiss three Last days it is verry sharp work to keep it to day I have Sett on the 19yd Gin to draw water and Intend keeping it on in the daytime and the water Ingin in the night for we have not water to work it above 12 hours in 24 and Short of that I would have come to town to morrow but my Mother lies So Ill that I dont Chuse to be from home If I possible can help it (Jon Jones?) ore houlds verry Good and verry likely to Continue Every place Is verry promising and ore A Great but am afraid the water will Concur uss for the Winter Except there Comes Some Alteration which we can hardly Expect at thiss time of year for I never Saw any thing Increest So much as the Water has Thiss Last week I Shall See more of it in four or five days time and desine Comeing to town to give you A furtherAc.t of it I should be Glad to heare how
Rickards and Beetch Go on at the If thay have allmost dun it would be proper to fickes A Standing Lander in like maner as the last was when they have gon as fare as is required at present.
From your Servt
Jn: Lawrence Junior(?)
I would like to know more about the water engine, do you know if Fairchance built theirs, if so what manner of engine it was and if John Lawrence was involved. He had interests, with John Probert in at least some cases, in mid-Wales mines including Esgairhir.
I look forward to hearing any further information which comes to light on these items.
Michael Shaw
----- Original Message ----- From: "Alasdair Neill" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, December 08, 2008 9:50 AM
Subject: [MINING-HISTORY] Shropshire Lead Mines - Leviaton Co & Water Pressure Engines
A couple of queries re the above which perhaps someone can answer;
Firstly what was the "Leviathon Lead Company" which in 1843 was said to
have mines adjoining those of the White Grit Co. It seemed to have been a
sudonim for an established company. At that time the other main companies in
the area would have been Bog and Snailbeach.
Secondly the 18th water pressure engine at Fairchance Mine in Cardiganshire
was said to have been modelled on one on one of the Shropshire lead mines -
but which mine?
Alasdair Neill.
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