coal mining in the Black Country in the 1800s

[expat66]

I have discovered that a good number of my 'TAYLOR' ancestors were coal miners in the Black Country

The address for William TAYLOR ( b.1816?) on the 1841 census is Botfield Colliery, Tipton. ( neighbouring addresses are in Workhouse Lane?)

I can't find anything about this colliery on the internet.... anyone know anything about it?.... and would it be usual for a miner and his family to actually live at the colliery?

By 1851 the family are living in Brades Rd. Oldbury and the sons are also listed as coal miners ( though I don't know where they were working).... sons William, Thomas and later Joseph were all coal miners.

Browsing the internet I found that there were several miners strikes in the 1800s.... 1842, 1855, 1857 and 1858... initially triggered by the Chartist movement, I think?

That is the sum of my knowledge.... do any of you clever people know anything more about coal mining/ location of the collieries/ the strikes/ working conditions etc?.... I am curious to find out more
many thanks
Expat

[Antie Em]

Have you tried this site : http://www.cmhrc.co.uk/site/home/index.html

There were a great many collieries in Oldbury, including Brades Village. I live in the area and the soil around here is almost black - this site may be useful : http://www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk/staffs6813.htm

Maggie

[expat66]

Thanks Aunty Em.... really good websites there...the list of mining casualties is pretty sobering reading and there are several surnames which crop up in my tree.... will do some more investigating.
I think I will order some of those maps too...they look like good value

[Antie Em]

Found my GG Grandad on this site :

Name:HUMPHRES R.
Age: 48
Date: 28/11/1866
Year: 1866
Occupation: Pikeman
Colliery: Tividale Hall
Owner: S Bradley
Town: Oldbury
County: Worcester
Notes: Fall of coal in thick coal pit.
About 1ton of Brazils fell from a slip.
Injured 12th.
Died this day.

Only 48 - poor Gransha - what a way to go

[dudleytaylor]

This was my 2nd great grandfather

Name: CADMAN Thomas
Age: 44
Date: 12/05/1860
Year: 1860
Occupation: Butty
Colliery: Gospel Oak
Owner: Grazebrook and Ashton
Town: Tipton
County: Stafford
Notes: Explosion of firedamp. Error in the level of the gateroad had caused the water to roof and when by a gutter the water came away the gas came with it and fired at a candle near bottom of the shaft. In performing this operation they should have had a lamp. 2 killed.
They got his age wrong he was only 34