COMPLETED - George French - Gwane Colliery Explosion, Dudley 1857

[mallosa]

3:36 GWANE COLLIERY EXPLOSION - DUDLEY - 1857 GWANE. Dudley, Worcestershire. 10th. September, 1857. The colliery was owned by William Mills and Son, near Rowley Regis Hills and the Inspector commented: That it was around this vast basaltic mass that some of the most serious explosion of late years have taken place. The colliery had two shafts, seven feet in diameter. The downcast was 155 yards deep but at 135 yards it went through a thick coal seam and air was taken from the shaft to ventilate these. The remainder of the air went down the shaft and passed into an old ironstone mine called the "Whitestone". The air to the coal mine was split to the deep side workings and the crop. In the latter, it passed through a gate road seven or eight feet square which contracted to a small passage and then on to large chambers, through the workings and to the upcast shaft. Lionel Brough, Her Majesty's Inspector, had made several visits to the pit before the explosion and closely examined every part of the mine. He had brought to the notice of the owners that the main defect in the pit was a road that would not carry enough air to the far end of the workings and it was here that the explosion took place. The Inspector said: I sought an interview with Mr. William Mills, and explained to him the extingency of an entirely new gate-road, or of enlarging the existing narrow one into more ample dimensions. He promised me that it should be done forthwith, but unfortunately it was never performed. Nine men lost their lives, six killed instantly and three badly injured. Two of these did not live long but the third died some weeks later. The explosion which was caused by a fall of roof interrupting the ventilation and a build-up of gas followed. The gas was ignited by lax discipline in the mine. Those who lost their lives were: J. Griffiths aged 46 years, G. French aged 31 years,

[mallosa]

I believe this is George French named in the article

https://www.tribalpages.com/tribe/brows ... =217598061

[mallosa]

I'm a bit confused here.......

Did Sarah remarry after George died?

Name Sarah French
Record Type Bann
Marriage Banns Date 16 Oct 1859
Marriage Banns Place Tipton, St Martin, Staffordshire, England
Spouse Eli French
Religion Anglican
Page number 367

[mallosa]

Still working on this.......

https://www.tribalpages.com/tribe/brows ... =535270491

Note: That 2nd marriage should state her as being a widow

[rockyfowler]

Deffo Spinster

[mallosa]

I'm a bit confused here.......

Did Sarah remarry after George died?
Sarah French
Record Type Bann
Marriage Banns Date 16 Oct 1859
Marriage Banns Place Tipton, St Martin, Staffordshire, England
Spouse Eli French
Religion Anglican
Page number 367

She would be Sarah FRENCH wouldn't she?

[rockyfowler]

183 19 Mar 1866 St Thomas Dudley
Joseph GRIFFITHS 23 B Miner Dudley Father Joseph Griffiths (Dec) Boat Loader
Sarah Ann FRENCH 19 S Dudley Father George French (Dec) Miner
After Banns The X Of Both
Wit; Thomas Griffiths X / Eliza Griffiths X

[mallosa]

Thanks a lot RF

I'm going round in circles and meeting myself coming back

[mallosa]

183 19 Mar 1866 St Thomas Dudley
Joseph GRIFFITHS 23 B Miner Dudley Father Joseph Griffiths (Dec) Boat Loader
Sarah Ann FRENCH 19 S Dudley Father George French (Dec) Miner
After Banns The X Of Both
Wit; Thomas Griffiths X / Eliza Griffiths X

So this must be Sarah Ann

FRENCH, SARAH ANN WILLIAMS
GRO Reference: 1847 S Quarter in WEST BROMWICH Volume 18 Page 492

Her father George has died ..........

https://www.tribalpages.com/tribe/brows ... ver=671329

[rockyfowler]

In another paper the Brierley Hill Advertiser Sat 12 Sept it said Thursday last George French left a wife and five children The wife being confined with the fifth child on Monday last they had diff speech in those days- wonder what they meant ?

[mallosa]

In another paper the Brierley Hill Advertiser it said George French left a wife and five children

Well that puts the dampers on it

Cos this is what I have - https://www.tribalpages.com/tribe/brows ... =782028054

[rockyfowler]

FreeReg
Burial entry
Field
(only fields with a value are shown) Value
County Worcestershire
Place (Links to more information) Oldbury
Church name (Links to more information) Christ Church
Register type (Links to more information) Parish Register
Register entry number 1205
Burial date 13 Sep 1857
Burial person forename George
Burial person surname FRENCH
Person age 35
Burial person abode Blackheath

[rockyfowler]

In another paper the Brierley Hill Advertiser Sat 12 Sept it said Thursday last George French left a wife and five children The wife being confined with the fifth child on Monday last they had diff speech in those days- wonder what they meant ?
Was this the child ?
FRENCH, HANNAH Mother WILLIAMS
GRO Reference: 1857 D Quarter in DUDLEY Volume 06C Page 5



FRENCH, GEORGE Mother WILLIAMS
GRO Reference: 1846 J Quarter in DUDLEY UNION Volume 18 Page 331
FRENCH, SARAH ANN Mother WILLIAMS
GRO Reference: 1847 S Quarter in WEST BROMWICH Volume 18 Page 492
FRENCH, GEORGE Mother WILLIAMS
GRO Reference: 1851 D Quarter in WEST BROMWICH Volume 18 Page 592
FRENCH, ANN MARIA Mother WILLIAMS
GRO Reference: 1853 D Quarter in WEST BROMWICH Volume 06B Page 465

Burial Freereg
Place (Links to more information) Oldbury
Church name (Links to more information) Christ Church
Register type (Links to more information) Parish Register
Register entry number 154
Burial date 31 May 1846
Burial person forename George
Burial person surname FRENCH
Person age 14days
Burial person abode Rowley Regis

From BCC
1861: Lifford Road, Oldbury
Eli French 22 Head Coal Miner Tipton, Staffs
Sarah French 33 Wife
Sarah Ann French 14 Daughter
George French 9 Son
Elizabeth French 4 Daughter
Hannah French 3 Daughter
Louisa French 1 Daughter
(others born Oldbury, Worc)

[mallosa]

FreeReg
Burial entry
Field
(only fields with a value are shown) Value
County Worcestershire
Place (Links to more information) Oldbury
Church name (Links to more information) Christ Church
Register type (Links to more information) Parish Register
Register entry number 1205
Burial date 13 Sep 1857
Burial person forename George
Burial person surname FRENCH
Person age 35
Burial person abode Blackheath

Thankyou RF, much appreciated

This is the only one I can find on GRO......

FRENCH, GEORGE 22
GRO Reference: 1857 D Quarter in DUDLEY Volume 06C Page 14

[mallosa]

This is what I have now......

https://www.tribalpages.com/tribe/brows ... =446373275

Still trying to find a death for Eli French