In message <8D07497DB643437D9D99E290EF72D50C@midi>, Roger Baden Bradford 
<[log in to unmask]> writes
>Dear Freinds
>I wonder if anyone can give me some idea of when the system of 
>Possession Stowes was first used to mark out mines in the High Peak & 
>Northern Mining fields of England.
>I am interested in the above because I'm researching the history of 
>Windlass's, so am wondering if the above is a good indication of the 
>first appearance of the windlass.
>Lastly is their any place I can obtain a picture of a Stowe, I have 
>details of the 7 peices of wood required but to make a stowe, but would 
>like to be sure of what it really looked like.
>Hoping some one can help me.
>Take Care.
>Roger B Bradford, of Elizabeth, South Australia.
>

Looking in Jim Rieuwerts "Glossary of Derbyshire Lead Mining Terms"

POSSESSION STOWS, POSEN STOWS (see also Stowes of Pretence)
Miniature stows made entirely from wood and usually fastened to a large 
stake. They were placed at the beginning of each meer to signify the 
miner's right to his mine. The Old Customary (c1500) does not mention 
possession stows, but Manlove (1653) refers to them in his poem. In 1716 
possession stows cost 3d each at Elton Reeth Sough (Chats., Dev. Coll.).

STOWES, STOCES, STOSES, STOGESSES (see also RIDING ROPE, TURNTREE)

A wooden windlass, in Derbyshire usually being referred to as "a pair of 
stowes". They served two principal functions.
1)      Drawing stowes used for winding materials and water. At some 
mines men were also wound into and out of the workings. Smaller stowes 
were wound by one or two men, but larger types employed four winders. 
The "Great Stows" at Longhead Shaft on Bates Sough, recorded in 1687 
were very probably of the latter variety, as were the "Dright" in use at 
Winster Pitts in 1774. There are several illustrations of different 
stows, for example in Agricola.
2)      Possession stows were very small models stowes. The sole-trees 
were about 18 inches in length, the hang-benches about 12 inches in 
length (Chats., Bar. Coll.). They were placed on top of a stake at the 
end of each meer and marked the extent of individual mine titles along a 
vein. The laws and customs state quite clearly that possession stows had 
to be made entirely from wood and pinned with wood, the use of iron 
nails rendered them unlawful and they could be cast off by the 
Barmaster. An example of this occurred in 1678 at Torrs Vein, in the 
Wham on Castleton Moor, when the Jury found the stows fastened with iron 
nails and the yoakings not made of wood. The stows were therefore 
dispossesed according to custom (PRO, DL1/435). The individual pieces of 
timber used to make a pair of stowes, comprised the hang benches, sole 
trees, stowe blades or stowe grains, spindle and turntree; sometimes the 
turntree was provided with an iron staple called a saddle, used to 
prevent the rope from slipping. Hopkinson (1644) provides an excellent 
description of the parts.

Jim gives - Hopkinson, G. (1644) The Laws and Customs of the Mines 
within the Wapentake of Wirksworth. Reprinted in 1944, Nottingham. - 
Unfortunately I don't have a copy.

Hooson, writing in 1747, gives

Possessions - (And I have changed f's for s's) These are small stoce, 
set in the beginning of every Mear of Ground, (only the Founder 
excepted) and are what the Miner has to shew for his Right and Title to 
his Ground in all Customary Liberties, be it never so valuable.
They are composed of two Stoce-Blades, two Sole-Trees, and two 
Hang-Benches, with a Spindle; the Sole-Trees, and Hang-Benches are 
fastened together with Pins of Wood, Nailing them together makes them to 
be Unlawful; they are made in all respects as the Great or Drawing Stoce 
are; any Stoce-Grains or Blades, made of a stick that is Forked in 
Growing, will not stand good, or if they be bored with a small Gimblet, 
or burn'd holes with a hot Iron, will not do to keep Possession; but the 
holes must be made by a half inch Noger at least, (Trials  has been 
about these Possessions on the Mine, and the Defendant has been cast.) 
and then they are good and serviceable, and prevent all Objections that 
can be made that way; when they are set in the Ground if the Stoblades 
appear out eight or ten inches, is sufficient, so that they may be plain 
to all Men's Sight; when we come to describe the Great Stoce, we will 
show all the particular Members, and how they are Joyn'd together, for 
they are both alike throughout, only the one is bigger than the other.
It is a very great Injury to a Miner, to have his Possessions stolen 
from off his Ground, which does not often happen; but if such a thing 
be, and the Offender discovered, (which is a thing I never yet knew) his 
Punishment lies in the Hands of the Grand Jury, which I suppose would be 
very severe, since in this case the wrong is not easy to be valued; 
there is a delusive kind of Possessions, which some Men do make use of, 
and of no virtue at all, which are called Prickers, and is nothing but 
two small Stoblades with a Spindle in them, pricked down into the 
Ground, and to the view seem to be Possessions, but are indeed none at 
all; these well set, cannot be discern'd without looking for the 
Sole-trees, etc.

I hope this is of interest.

Cheers
-- 
David Williams