I'd have thought it much more likely that the term agent comes from "land agent", as suggested by Peter and others; in the 18th Century these were the fore-runners of the specialised mining agents.
David Poyner
-----Original Message-----
From: mining-history [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ian Spensley
Sent: 10 June 2008 14:17
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Mine Agents
It it likely that the term "Agent" followed miners leaving metal mines for
coal mines? In the late 18th early 19th cent many miners left
Swaledale/Wensleydale for the coal mines around Doncaster, Durham and Lancashire, no doubt it
was the same in other areas.
Generally an experienced miner (in Swaledale/Wensleydale) worked his way up
to become and Agent, some such as Thomas Raw became Agent of more than one
mine. Sad to say though, that although they may have made a great leap by self
advancement, their actual mining skill didn't progress to the same degree,
i.e. their knowledge of mining was restricted to what they already knew or were
familiar with.
Also some of the supervisors of sections of a mine might also call
themselves and "Agent" in parish registers/census etc, so you might find "Smelting
Agent" or "Dressing Agent", and no doubt some of the "Mine Agents" might have
actually been something rather less.
Ian Spensley
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