Hamilton Jenkin (1974, 17-18) quotes a useful passage from a memoranda
of William Carnsew to the effect that in c.1580, rich lodes of copper
were discovered 'next the bridge' on the borders of Devon which HJ
assumed to be Gunnislake Bridge. One would presume that the area he's
referring to would be somewhere near Marquise lode and Bedford United.
Many of Carnsew's papers survive in the CRO and might be a fruitful
source for future research on this topic. Carnsew was closely associated
with the Mines Royal Cornish operation and would certainly have been
aware of copper activity on his patch.
In 1812 John Taylor referred to 'traces of ancient works on a copper
lode at Crowndale' though just how ancient is open to speculation.
I suspect that Virtuous Lady's Elizabethan origins are mostly anecdotal.
The paper trail for this appears to start with Dines in 1956, though he
did not reveal a source. In 1968 Helen Harris claimed work started in
1558 (ie the first year of Elizabeth's reign), but again no reference is
provided. Hamilton Jenkin (1974) picked up on this and added that the
name of the mine was in honour of Queen Elizabeth. Justin Brooke
however, observes in his Index, that it was more likely to have been
named after Queen Anne (r. 1702-14) if indeed named after a monarch. The
mine was first recorded by Kalmeter to be working in the years leading
up to 1724 when he visited. However, if anyone knows of a primary
reference that can prove Virtuous Lady had 16^th century origins with
more certainty, I’d be very keen to hear from them.
Regards
Phil Newman
Rick Stewart, Morwellham Quay Mine Manager wrote:
> What documenary evidence is there for pre eighteenth century copper mining within the Tamar Valley? The earliest references that I have come across are early eighteenth century Bedford Estate leases held in the DRO.
>
> Dines and (Ithink) Hamilton Jenkin both note that Virtuous Lady is reputed to have been worked in the 16th Century.
>
> A more recent reference (Rippon, Claughton & Smart, 2009) notes "there is, however, good documentary evidence that some copper - bearing ores were being worked in the Tamar Valley by at least the first decade of the fourteenth century."
>
> Can anyone elucidate?
>
> Many thanks
>
> Rick Stewart
>
>
>
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