It’s a great name. Some time ago I tried to find the birth/baptism records of Alexander Falconbridge “born ca 1760 to a family with Bristol connections”.  According to the Editor of “The Narrative of Two Voyages to the River Sierra Leone During the Years 1791-1792-1793", (see below) he was, like his wife, born in Bristol. If this is the case I would be delighted if anybody could produce a baptismal record! Falconbridge is well known as an abolitionist and author (“An Account of the Slave Trade on the West of Africa” [1788]) and as Thomas Clarkson’s guide in Bristol when he came to the City to gather evidence for the abolition of the trade, but his ancestry to the time of writing remains elusive.

Valerie Price-Currer of New South Wales is a descendant of the Falconbridge family and would dearly like to make the connection between her ancestors and “the famous Alex”. She says “When Falconbridge gave evidence to the British Parliamentary Committee, it appears he had “spent a year studying medicine at the Bristol Royal Infirmary in 1779-1780, but financially unable to set up a medical practice he signed on as a slave ship surgeon and went on four voyages to Africa. Becoming increasingly disillusioned with what he saw and experienced Alexander left the trade in 1787 to work as a pupil with a Bristol Doctor. It was around this time that he met up with members of the growing abolitionist movement, and Thomas Clarkson seems to have held him in high regard. Alexander spent the year 1779-1780 at the Bristol Royal Infirmary, too poor at this time to start a medical practice, he signed on as surgeon on slave ships.  He left in disgust in 1787 and worked as a pupil with a Bristol Doctor. It was at this time that he became interested in the abolitionist movement and met Thomas Clarkson.”

I have been unable to find the primary sources for the above which is repeated over again in a number of books. To Clarkson he was able bodyguiard, describing him as "an athletic and resolute-looking man", (Clarkson 1.318.) Falconbridge’s book giving an account of the slave trade was presented as evidence in the Parliamentary Hearing into Slavery.

Alexander Falconbridge and Anna Maria Horwood were married at Easton in Gordano by banns on 16 April 1788, witnessed by one of Anna Maria’s sisters and George Falconbridge. (Apart from the appearance of Alexander himself, this is the first time I have found a Falconbridge in Bristol.) 

The Horwood family were local, well established in the Parish of All Saints, Bristol.

Charles Horwood, Anna Maria’s father was a silversmith and also a clockmaker. (A long case 8 day clock with his name can be viewed on line.)

The children of Charles & his wife Grace, nee Roberts, were baptised at All Saints Church as follows: Mary Anne, 24.11.1760, Grace, 5.4.1762, (bur 13.2.1773), Anne, 5.5.1763, Charles, 25.1.1765, (bur 1785), Christian Jane, 17.10.1766,and Anna Maria, 13.7.1769

Grace Horwood, the wife of Charles was buried 6.1.1774.

On 13.4.1779: Charles Horwood, junior, silversmith & Martha Cox were married, by licence, witnessed by Charles Horwood, senior, & Edith Bayley. The licence states: “Charles Horwood of All Saints, silversmith & Martha Cox, spinster of St James.” This is a puzzle as Charles cannot be the Charles baptised in 1765 above, as he would still be a lad of 14, so I am led to believe that there was Charles s.o. Charles s.o. Charles and both weddings refer to the same man, Anna Maria’s father!

Charles and Martha went on to have the following children baptised at All Saints: Martha, 7.5.1780, (inf. bur 11.1.1780), Martha, 4.4.1781, Elizabeth & Charles, 9.6.1783, (Charles bur 8.5.1788) Simeon, 9.3.1785, (bur 9.8.1785) Charles Bird, 25.4.1787 (bur 30.4.1787) 

A Charles Horwood senior was buried 4.8.1787 and Martha “from Dowry Square” on 16.3.1791

Alexander was supposedly 28 at the time of his marriage to Anna Maria who was nineteen. Valerie believes that the Horwoods were a well to do family and that they disapproved of the marriage, “possibly because they were involved in the slave trade and disliked the anti-abolitionist movement. It is known that Anna’s brother in law to be was the captain of a slaver”, and the location of the marriage, well out of town, may suggest a clandestine arrangement.

In 1791, Alexander was selected by the Anti-Slavery Society to sail to Sierra Leone with the intention of reorganising the settlement of freed slaves in Granville Town and the married couple, with William Falconbridge, presumably another brother, sailed for the colony on a slaver, “The Duke of Buccleuch” under Captain Maclean.  Alex signed an Inventory dated 1792, Sierra Leone, with other signatories, James Watt and Richard Pepys, Members of the Council.

Anna Maria must have been very brave and feisty and was obviously well educated as can be seen from the book she co-authored about her travels: “The Narrative of Two Voyages to the River Sierra Leone During the Years 1791-1792-1793", which was published in 1794. She writes with the benefit of hindsight “it was surely a premature, hair-brained and ill-digested scheme to think of sending such a number of people all at once to such a rude barbarous and unhealthy country before they were certain of possessing an acre of land.”

The Sierra Leone scheme was a failure, as was the marriage. The couple separated. Alexander fell out with his brother William who was also employed by the Sierra Leone Company. William moved to Bance Island where he became ill with a fever and died. Alexander, who had taken to drink, was dismissed by Mr Thornton of the Company, and very depressed died on 19 December 1792. Both he and William are believed to be buried in Sierra Leone but the site of their graves is unknown.

Within a few weeks, on 7 January 1793, Anna Maria married Isaac Dubois, in a private ceremony, requesting that the officiating clergyman keep the matter secret (for obvious reasons!) The marriage was probably Isaac’s second, for a man of this name married Jemima Blake at St Martin’s in the Fields, London on 17.11.1784. He also worked for the Company and kept a diary for Thomas Clarkson. Though some sources say he was a plantation owner from North Carolina, or a soldier in the American Revolutionary War, I wonder if either is correct and feel that his connections are more likely with London, and particularly St Martin’s in the Fields where an Isaac Dubois of the Strand, St Martin’s in the Fields, chaser and print seller, insolvent debtor, was imprisoned in The Fleet, 22.10.1748. (London Gazette). Perhaps he was Isaac’s father or grandfather?  The  newly weds celebrated aboard Anna's brother in law's slaver and later returned home to England via Jamaica.

Anna includes in her book details of meetings she had on her return with Thornton who had sacked Alexander. She mentions Alexander’s will which has never been located and alludes to a possible child. This is the only reference she makes to her dead husband apart from his bad temper and drinking habits.  She gave birth to a son Francis Blake Dubois on 27 December 1801 and died shortly afterwards probably from the complications of giving birth. She was just thirty three years old. Her son was christened at St Martin in the Fields in November 1802.

Sadly it seems that Anna Maria wavered when it came to the abolitionist movement and after Alexander's death she seems to have had doubts about the possibility of abolition coming about, she in fact questioned whether it was a good thing.

So what are the Bristol connections? As shown above George Falconbridge was a witness to the marriage of Alexander and Anna Maria.  On the 16 February 1791 he married at St Philip & St Jacob’s, Mary Hedges of Castle Precincts. The marriage was by licence, presumably because the bride was just eighteen and needed the consent of her father, Thomas Hedges, a hatter, of St P & J. George was  a bachelor and by trade a chymist, (sic). All parties signed.

The next Falconbridge on the scene is Samuel, a chemist, of the City of Bristol, who made his will on 10 February 1795. He leaves:

“to my son George Falconbridge, a house now occupied by Earl Pearce, potter, in Avon Street, St Phillips with £200 stock in 5% annuities, household furniture, books, my best black coat and all necessaries in my dwelling.”

“to my brother, William Falconbridge, if living at my decease, interest of £200 in stock &c and at his death one half to be paid to Samuel Falconbridge, his son and half to Mary Falconbridge, his daughter.”

“to my grandson Samuel Falconbridge, £50 in stock.”

“to my wife’s mother Susanna Boyd the interest on £100 in stock for life provided her son George Boyd give her £10 a year for her life, otherwise the legacy is void. And at her death to my grandson Samuel Falconbridge jointly with his brother and sisters, £30 to him and £70 between his brother & sisters.

”to John Griffiths, my wearing apparel except my black coat.

“to John Read £10 and any surplus money I may die professed (sic) of after my funeral expenses and debts discharged and deficiency to be made up by my son George Falconbridge. And the same John Read to direct my funeral and that he will have a flat grave stone put over my grave inscribed with my age and that of my dear wife; and John Read to be executor.”

Signed Samuel Falconbridge in the presence of Isaac Hill, Richard Pincott, William Seward.

The will was proved on the 20th May 1795.

Unfortunately, mysterious as usual, nobody by the name Falconbridge appears in the Bristol baptism & burial indexes 1754-1812 produced by Bristol & Avon FHS, nor does the gravestone appear in Ron Lewin’s index of MIs. It occurs to me that William named above “if living” may be the William who accompanied Alex and Anna Maria to Africa. If Alex is also Samuel’s brother then he is not mentioned in the will as it must have been known that he was already dead.  I have been unable to find a marriage between Samuel Falconbridge and ----- Boyd. 

So we are left with…………George.

George Falconbridge was married to Mary Hedges as noted above. They appear not to have had children and lived out their lives in St Philip & St Jacob. In the Bristol Mercury of 30.11.1830 George Boyd Falconbridge of St P & J appears named in a petition of ratepayers railing against “ruinous taxation”.

They appear in 1841 census at Lamb Street, aged 70 and 65 respectively. (I had some difficulty in finding them - “Find My Past” indexes them as “Fatcombridge”!) George died in 1845 and in the 1851 census Mary is is living at 92 Lamb Street St P  J, widow, 79, funded proprietor & house, born Bristol, with Esther Baker, 21, servant, born Gloucestershire.   In 1861, Mary is living at 40 Wade Street, still with the faithful Esther Baker, now “28”. It was probably Esther who put her mistress’s obituary in the newspaper in 1865:  November 12, at Lamb Street, after a long illness, Mary Ann, widow of Mr G. Falconbridge, aged 94, (Bs Merc 18.11.1865)

The following names are a POST SCRIPT to the far greater number of fatalities in my book “Killed in a Coalpit – the Mines of Mendip”, the manuscript of which is now at the Radstock Museum.

Joshua Ashman (54)

The beloved husband of Sarah Ann Ashman, who died at Newbury Colliery, August 17^th 1906. Interred at Coleford Churchyard.

"I'll praise my Maker while I've breath

And when my voice is lost in death

Praise shall employ my nobler powers

My days of praise shall ne'er be past

While life and thought, and being last

Or immorality endures." (His favourite verse.)

I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness."

(2 Timothy 4; verses 7 & 8(From a funeral card.)

Thomas Athay

"One of the oldest miners in the Forest of Mendip incautiously entered some old works at Shipham when the side fell in and buried him." (FFBJ 4.6.1823)

James Attwood - see John Harding, 1796

William Ball (or Bull) - see Henry Carter, 1823.

S. Bath

Inquest at Timsbury on S. Bath who fell down the pit 100 fathoms by missing his hold at the bar at the top of the pit. (FFBJ 31.12.1801)

Clifford "Billy" Battle

Information from Edward P.S. Battle, who now lives in Yorkshire: "My uncle, Clifford "Billy" Battle of Welton Road, Radstock was badly injured underground at Ludlow's Colliery and died the next day in Paulton Hospital. This happened in the winter, 1928-9. I know I was 8 years old at the time. He left a wife and three year old son. My father worked as a face worker at Braze Down, Ludlow's and Haydon all his working life and died of pneumonicosis in 1959."

Thomas Bilby

Pauper, killed in Newton Coal Pit by coal falling on him. Buried Newton St Loe, 24.8.1792.

Herbert John Brice (19)

Killed in Greyfield Pit, 10 June 1905 and buried at High Littleton, 15 June, 1905.

(PRHL)

Mark Brice

Addendum. Of Farnborough, aged 17, buried at High Littleton, 29 October 1845. (PRHL)

Charles Bridges

Fatal Colliery accident at Timsbury. Charles Bridges, collier, killed 5^th July 1878 while working at Conygre Pit, owned by Messrs Mogg, Parish & Co of Withy Mills, in a roof fall. There was a large slip of the roof with brakes breaking away at the sides which caused the fall. A large stone was amongst the debris which was thought to have hit Bridges. (BMerc 20.7.1878)

James Brimble (57)

William Travers (16)

Killed at Mearns Coal Work and mentioned in High Littleton Overseers' Accounts 1.4.1815, which refer to payment for their laying out and coffins. Buried High Littleton 4.4.1815.

------Britton

"On Friday, a labourer named Britton, in a fit of insanity threw himself into the coalpit at Camerton near Bath and was killed on the spot. (BMi 12.6.1830)

--------Broughton of Farmborough

--------Gibbs of Near Paulton

killed at Middle Pit, Radstock when 3-4 tons of stone fell on them. (BMi 16.2.1861)

Azariah Bryant

"A boy, ascending in the lap of another boy from a coalpit at Writhlington was met by two others going down and the parties coming into contact with each other, Bryant was thrown from his seat and precipitated 80 feet to the bottom of the pit." Inquest Report, FFBJ 14.2.1824.

Daniel Budd

Killed in a coalpit, buried Nailsea, 8.1.1794.

Samuel Budd

"Killed falling down a coalpit at Nailsea", buried Nailsea, 26.3.1811, inquest reported FFBJ, 13.4.1811.

Joseph Bull

"whose back was broken by a stone 2 tons weight falling on him in a coalmine." FFBJ 30.3.1822. (This inquest was reported on the same day as that on Job Cromwell).

James Bunn

Accident at Barlake Colliery owned by Sir John Coxe Hippisley & Messrs Messiter of Wincanton. James Bunn was scalded so dreadfully that he survived only a few hours. (FFBJ 19.8.1820).

William Button (35)

"killed by falling down a pit…." (remainder illegible), burial register, Radstock, 8 May 1849

Henry Carter

William Ball (or Bull)

Paulton. The two men were ascending from their work at a coalpit at Petherton with George Harris & Stephen Ball, (brother in law of the above), when owing to a misconception, a wrong signal was given to the engineer who slackened instead of drawing up, Carter and Ball fell 20 fathoms to their deaths. Harris & Stephen Ball were saved. (FFBJ 15.3.1823)

James Carter and six others, see page 9.

A poem written in memory of the seven men who lost their lives at Timsbury Colliery, February 6^th 1895. It was written by a member of a well-known local mining family, William Ashman. Timsbury's Conygre. The poem is quoted in full in "Five Arches, the Journal of the Radstock and Midsomer Norton District Museum Society, Issue number 4, June 1987. I am grateful to the Society for allowing me to repeat it here.

Nine men we're told went down the mine

To labour for the night

But seven were killed and only two

Of them came up alive.

They had not left their homes so long

Before the news had spread

That an explosion had taken place

And seven poor men were dead!

How sad the news must be to those

To whom those men belong

To hear their husbands had been killed

Who had not left home long.

It's not so very long ago

That one of these poor men

Had lost a son through accident

Who was but a young man.

We're told it is (that in the midst)

Of life we are in death.

Today we're well, but perhaps ere long

Our eyes may close in death

We pray that God will bless the wives

And the dear little ones

God bless the widow who has lost

Her husband and her son.

Now just a word I'll say to all

Be watchful everyone:

For in an hour that ye think not

The Son of Man will come."

John Carter

Addendum. Of High Littleton, buried there 4.11.1845, aged 40. (PRHL)

William Churchill

"Thursday last, a piece of coal fell from one of the carts near the coalpits at Smoakem on the head of William Churchill, and killed him on the spot. He has left a wife and 4 small children. (FFBJ 29.1.1803)

Job Cromwell

Killed at Camerton by the rope of the gug wheel winding round his body. FFBJ 30.3.1822

James Chivers

coalminer of High Littleton, killed at High Littleton, and buried there 1.2.1772. (PRHL)

John Chivers

Of High Littleton, who was bailiff at Heighgrove Coal Works, and killed there. Died 17 April and buried 18 April, 1759. (PRHL)

Thomas Chivers

Coalminer, killed at Tyning Coal Pit. Buried 19 March, 1796. (Various Settlement examinations of the Chivers family including Sampson Chivers, 9 December 1845, are among High Littleton parish records.) (PRHL)

Mark Cleaves

Erratum. This man's name incorrectly appears as "Cleevis" in the Mining Inspector's Reports. He died aged 26, according to a gravestone in High Littleton churchyard. He was buried there 2.10.1866. (PRHL, MIHL)

William Cleaves

Addendum. Of Farnborough, age 25, buried High Littleton 7.11.1845 (PRHL)

David Cook (17)

"killed in the coalpit, brother of James Cook, killed in the coalpit at Fry's Bottom." Buried Clutton, 24.1.1831.

James Cook, see David Cook, above.

John Crick

Killed Bromley Pit Cage accident, buried Farmborough, 11.11.1913, aged 35. (PR)

George Dagger

Inquest on George Dagger, coalminer, killed Timsbury, 20. 6.1812 (FFBJ).

Ernie "Slogger" Edwards

Mr G.W. Quartley, a workmate, recalled in 1992, that "he was killed by a roof fall, late 1950s or early 60s. "I recall walking to the pit bottom with him and a group of colleagues some little time before the accident, and the following exchange took place: 'Slogger, is that right your young 'uns (brother) dead?' Well if he aint, they served the poor b----- a dirty trick, they've buried 'im.'"

James Evans

Addendum. Of High Littleton, aged 43, buried there, 29.10.1845. (PRHL)

Reuben Fear

Crushed to death by a fall at New Rock, Midsomer Norton . Mr Brough, the Inspector concluded the accident was "unavoidable". (BO 29.9.1860)

-------Flowers

"Tuesday night about nine o'clock, as a lad named Flowers, the son of Mr T. Flowers, farmer of Writhlington, was riding past Shoscombe coalpit, recently opened near Radstock, he with the horse unfortunately fell down the shaft by which accident, both were killed on the spot. The lad had one or two brothers at work in the pit but some scaffolding which was constructed inside the shaft intercepted the direct fall of the horse upon them, otherwise they must inevitably have been crushed to death. " (BMi 5.12.1829)

George Green

And Another

"Tuesday morning, two men descending a Coalpit at Holcombe, suffocated by noxious air. One, George Green, has left a wife and three children." (FFBJ 4.10.1794)

Joseph Gullick (70) of Farmborough

James Hollbrook (14) of Timsbury

Accidentally killed in a coalpit belonging to Messrs Moggs and Co. (FFBJ 21.4.1810)

(James Hollbrook was buried at Timsbury, see main list.)

George Hancock

"by a fall into a coalpit, lost his life." Buried 11.11.1759 at Kilmersdon. (Kilmersdon PR)

John Harding (62)

James Attwood (14)

Addenda. The two were buried at Newton St Loe, 17.7.1796.

John Haskins

Death through a pit accident, 1789-1800. (See Mendip Annals, Martha Moore, Bristol Ref Lib, RB/3316, p95.)

Thomas Heal

William Heal

"Mr C.D. Purnell, was clerk and weigher of Simon's Hill and Ham Lane Pit. The pit was kept open to pump the water from Simon's Hill. You could get small coal for 11 shillings and twopence, (about 57p), per hundredweight then. It was so plentiful that a lot was hauled down the land to repair the road. The pit engine boilers were haystack shaped with the bottom raised up and hollow. If the water was not kept up well above the bottom it would cause super heated steam and blow up the boiler. It happened at Simon's Hill and it killed Mr Thomas Heal. He lived at the Tennis Court. His son William was killed also at Ham Pit. The plunger of the engine came too far out of the house and as he worked to get it back the steam was turned on and the surge coming out suddenly knocked his brains out. He was a cornet player and used to lead the choir in the chapel."

(extract from the autobiography of John Watts, from "Five Arches, number 9, winter 1989/90)

Thomas Hill - see William Moore, 1847

Richard Hinton

Erratum. Killed Welton, not Wootton, 13.12.1799.

James Hodges (22)

"who had his back broke at Bromidge in the Coalpit at Midsummer (sic) Norton, 1796." (PRStanton Drew)

James Hollbrook - see Joseph Gullick, 1810

Edward Hoskins (80)

In order to get work at Braysdown pit, he falsely gave his age as 67. He was set to run "the jailer" but sadly fell down the shaft and was killed. The inspector, not surprisingly, concluded "he was too old for the job." (MIR, BMi 9.3.1861) (Thank the Lord for Old Age Pensions)

David Jackson

Crushed between one of the electric underground locomotives and the steel ring roof side supports, late 1950s, early 60s. (information from Mr G.W. Quartley, 24 May 1992)

John Jefferies

"a poor collier of Welton was killed by a large stone which fell on his head. He has left a wife and six children." (FFBJ 6.9.1794)

Bob Jones

Killed as a result of a shot firing accident, late 1950s or early 60s. (information from Mr G.W. Quartley, 24 May 1992)

John Lansdown (26)

"Killed by the coal falling", buried Newton St Loe, 1.2.1795 (PRNSL)

James Lewis

Killed at Camerton by a fall of stone from the roof. (BO 13.10.1860)

-------Maggs

c1750. Settlement Examination of George Maggs, aged 43, born Farmborough who stated, "When I was 12 months old, my father was killed in a pit accident." (PRHigh Littleton)

William Moore of Mells

Thomas Hill of Leigh on Mendip

"killed in a Coal Pit." Buried Mells, 7.5.1829. (PR Mells)

Joseph Osbourn (17)

Killed Vobster Coal Pit, buried Mells, 7.5.1829.

George Palmer

Adendum. For more details see Bath Chronicle 28 & 30.10.1845.

Daniel Pickford

Addendum. Of Farnborough, aged 25. Buried High Littleton 18.10.1845. (PRHL, see also Bath Chronicle 28 & 30.10.1845.)

James Powell

"An inquest was lately taken on James Powell of Timsbury, who was killed in a coalmine." (FFBJ 1.6.1811)

Charles Sage (13)

Inquest at Timsbury on Charles Sage who was crushed between the post of a gate and a railroad wagon. (FFBJ 31.12.1801)

George Short (14)

killed at Grove Coalpit, Timsbury. Evidence was given by Thomas Comer, who was working with him that a large piece of coal, 3-4 cwt fell down on him, crushing his right leg and knocking him against the timber supports. With a man named Brydges, they managed to release the boy, who was taken Bath United Hospital. His injured leg was amputated by Mr Gore, but he remained insensible and died Friday night. (FFBJ 9.11.1850)

Lewis Ward Silcock

"coalminer at Camerton Coalworks, being drawn up the pit, the rope or fastening giving away, he was precipitated to the bottom and killed on the spot. He has left a wife and eight children." (BMi 17.11.1827)

John Simmes

"kill'd per the Engine Mill at Timsbury." Buried 7.2.1795. (PRStanton Drew)

James Stockyer

Killed in Radstock Coalworks. Buried Midsomer Norton 19.12.1800. (PRMN)

William (Bill) Taylor

"killed in an underground accident, circa 1950. The result of a prank which led to two men being tried for manslaughter. The facts as far as I can recall, (it happened), before the start of the afternoon shift at the bottom of an incline where there was a small electric haulage engine, 'Pik Rose' after the name of the manufacturer. Bill was sitting on or near the engine and one of the two accused started it in motion. Bill got his clothing caught in the rope and was dragged into it. He fractured his spine and subsequently died. The two accused were acquitted at trial." (information from Mr G.W. Quartley, 24 May 1992)

"Tim"

"an eastern European, surname unknown. Killed when a man riding a trolley ran away on an incline as a result of being unhitched too early at the top of the incline and ran back into the next one in which Tim was riding. Another man, Arthur Woodland, lost an arm in the accident. Early 1960s." (information from Mr G.W. Quartley, 24 May 1992)

William Travers - see James Brimble

Thomas Ven

Addendum. "Thomas son of Thomas & Flower Ven of this parish, died 1812 aged 18.

"Act thou in health and spirits gay

I too was so the other day

And thought myself of life was safe

As thou who reads my epitaph."

(Dwelly, Mss Vol I, SRO)

William Walter

Addendum. For more information, see Bath Chronicle 28 & 30.10.1845.

THE DOWLING FAMILY

I have been contacted by Florence Chuk, the Australian author of the "The Somerset Years". Florence says: "I was so interested in the Dowling family, (page 15), who lost two members in mining accidents. Dowlings appear to be bad luck in mines. … I found a couple of Somerset Dowling brothers who died in mining accidents in Victoria. Robert Dowling said that he came from Saint Cuthbert's. He arrived, aged 32, in the 'Sir George Seymour' in 1849 with his wife Mary. He died on the Ballarat Goldfields in 1857, although his death was never registered. In the early days people often assumed that an inquest automatically registered a death, so many deaths are only officially indicated in the Inquest Records. His brother Henry had come out a year earlier on the 'Aurora' with his wife Ann. Henry said he came from Woodford and Ann from Chustock. Henry died following a fall of earth in a mine. He was taken out alive but his legs were terribly injured. He was taken to the Ballarat Hospital by cart, where one leg was amputated. Doctors said he seemed likely to recover, but he died the next day. Poor Henry. Their brother Edward arrived per 'Hope' in1849. He did not die in mine - well as far as I have discovered - but he was only 40 when he died in 1858.

"I began to list the men who had died in mining accidents in Victoria by going through the Inquest Index. It began to be interesting but quite overwhelming, as almost every inquest in Victoria was from a mining accident. And there were many Chinese - I had to admire the Coroners of that time in eliciting detailed statements through an interpreter."

ANONYMOUS

"Monday last, a man was killed as he was at work in a coalpit at Timsbury about 5 miles from this City." (Bath Journal, 14.3.1747/8)

"Three men were at work in Mr Davis's pit, Nailsea, when a large mass, 10 tons in weight fell on to the centre man, killing him instantly. One of the others had his leg broke. They were taken to the Infirmary at Bristol and it is very probable they will soon be speedily returned to their families." (FFBJ 22.2.1806)

"Three men were killed at Timsbury Coalpit Wednesday morning by the breaking of the rope." (FFBJ 21.5.1814)

"Saturday a deplorable accident happened at Timsbury Coalworks near Bath, six men having imprudently mounted on a basket of coal on its ascent at the mouth of the pit and having been drawn up a considerable way, the rope being over weighted, broke, and they were precipitated to the bottom. Four were taken up dead and two others survived but a short time." (FFBJ 15.4.1815)

"Accident at Smallcombe Coalworks, near Bath, when 5 men were precipitated 30 feet to the ground owing to the mismanagement of the fire engine. We do not hear that any of the sufferers have died, although they are severely injured." FFBJ 13.11.1819

MISCELLANEOUS

Tuesday morning died Parfitt Maggs, the noted fighting collier, who was shot on Saturday last by William Baker, a lime burner of Twerton in resolutely attempting to execute a warrant of distress on the goods of the said Baker. He received the whole charge of the gun on his hip. The Coroner's Inquest brought in their verdict - manslaughter and Baker is committed to the County Prison. (BMBJ 29.4.1775, kindly contributed by Jane Baker.)

Stephen Jordan, Henry Biggs, and James Gregory, "for leaving work unfinished at the Coalworks at Paulton, were sent to prison for one month; Joseph Gregory, two months

for the same offence." (FFBJ 25.2.1815)

AN APOLOGY

Mr Edward Battle, whose uncle Clifford Battle is listed above wrote to me to ask why Clifford's name was not included. This was because I had not come across his accident. I am glad to rectify the omission this time. Although I have tried to make the list as complete as possible, I know there must be many more miners who came to a tragic end through accidents, not to say those who died of illness, like Mr Battle's father, directly caused through their years of toil in the mines. If you happen to find any information about mining accidents in Mendip from any time, or know of anyone in your family who I have not found, and you would like included in the next update, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am sure there are a great many omissions of the more "recent" accidents from the late 19^th and early 20^th century when newspapers began to be issued daily, and there are many more pages to look through. As you can imagine this is incredibly time consuming.

AND FINALLY

a (slightly risqué) story, passed on to me in 1992 by an old Mendip miner, Mr Gerald Quartley:

"A story told to me by Frank Herridge of Writhington, one of three brothers who worked at Norton Hill. Frank started work at Foxcote, and the old chap who used to dish out the allowance of candles before going underground, Theophilus Swift, used to get carried away by Frank's and other young men's accounts, imagined and real of their exploits with the girls. So interested did he become that if you put your allowance of candles in an inside pocket, he would forget himself and give you a second lot. Frank used to play on this to keep the house supplied with candles for the bedrooms, oil lamps only extended to the downstairs rooms. Frank would often set off to work when the supply was running down with his mother's reminder, "Don’t forget the candles, Frankie." He never divulged the method by which these were obtained."

Abbreviations:

FFBJ – Felix Farley’s Bristol Journal

BMBJ - Bonner & Middleton’s Bristol Journal

BMi - Bristol Mirror

BMerc – Bristol Mercury

PR - Parish Register

MI - Monumental Inscription

BO - Bristol Observer

MIR - Mines Inspector’s Report

SRO - Somerset Record Office

this book by Michelle Vale traces the history of John Warby who arrived in Sydney on the “Pitt”. Unfortunately this book is now out of print. Does anyone have a copy they no longer need? If so, please let me know.  I understand the author’s sources were “The Convict Ships 1787-1868” by Charles Bateson (which my brother has ordered) and “The History of New South Wales from the Records Vol 2” by Alexander Britton.

My kinsman James Pillinger, a Bristolian, born about 1770 and sentenced to transportation aged 16, was also a “passenger” on the “Pitt” and I would like to fill in the background detail of the voyage. 

BFH is the internet home of The LINDEGAARD LIST, a series of books relating to Local and Family History in the Bristol area, researched and compiled by renowned local historian DP Lindegaard.

The Kingswood Series

Coalminers, Methodists, Ne'er do Wells and Heroes: The Annals of Kingswood tell the story of the amazing people of the ancient forest during these years. If your ancestors came came from Bitton, Kingswood, Siston, Warmley, Wick, Abson, Mangotsfield, Stapleton, St George in the East (Bristol), St Philip and St Jacob's (outparish), you may find them here.

• The Annals of Kingswood 1725-1749
• The Annals of Kingswood 1750-1775
• The Annals of Kingswood 1776-1795
• The Annals of Kingswood 1796-1820

The Kingswood Index

A personal name index showing the sources where more information can be found: There are several thousand names with biographical details of Kingswood people who lived in the area of the forest and coalfield. The period covered is heavily weighted towards 1600-1850 but contains some entries from before and some after.

• The Kingswood A - Z

• "Killed in a Coalpit I" - the Kingswood Pits
• "Killed in a Coalpit II" - the Mendip Pits
• "Killed in a Coalpit III" - Bedminster Pits