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Miscellaneous documents

Reference: D/X 832 Catalogue Title: Miscellaneous documents Area: Catalogue Category: Other Records Description: Thornley Colliery records

Covering Dates: 1865-1984

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Catalogue Description

Records deposited

29 April 1987 Acc: 1735(D)

County Record Office,
County Hall,
DURHAM.
DHl 5UL

Telephone (091) 383 3253
Thornley Colliery Records

At 2 King's Arms Yard, London, on 12 May 1865, the London Steam Collier and Coal Company, Ltd., was formed. On 7th July 1865, the directors agreed to purchase the business of Messrs. Gowland and Walton for £35,000 on condition they obtained permission for the Company to berth a steamer of at least 175 feet long. Later, as directors, Messrs. Gowland and Walton were authorised to purchase Thornley Colliery together with Ludworth and Wheatley Hill Collieries on 2 November 1865 for £105,000. Thornley Colliery had previously been run by the Thornley Coal Company and had been shut down from 1861 to 1865.

As the majority of directors were from the London area, and as the colliery and part of the shipping interests were in the north, on 30th April 1866 it was decided to set up a Northern Committee based on Sunderland and reporting to the London Board. The committee was to consist of the local directors with all the colliery managers, viewers, fitters and other officials.

In April 1868, the company was renamed the Original Hartlepool Collieries Company Ltd. In 1871 they unsuccessfully attempted to sell Ludworth Colliery. In 1875, a serious fire destroyed the surface plant at Thornley Colliery and there was also a problem with a prolonged strike. In 1876, there was an issue of 150,000 mortgage debentures in the hope that works could be completed at the three collieries.

William Ford of Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, as a principal mortgagee took possession of Thornley and Wheatley Hill Collieries on 16 July 1881 and Ludworth Colliery three weeks later. He traded as the Thornley Colliery Company. William Ford rarely visited the collieries and not until March 1884 did he realise that the collieries had made a loss since he had taken them over and that the miners had not been paid for some time. He closed the collieries on 4 April 1884. All three collieries were offered for auction on 21 June 1884 and again on 16-18 February 1885. On both occasions no sale was made. One of William Ford's creditors, the Weardale Iron and Coal Company, Ltd., in April 1885, concluded an agreement with Ford's representatives to take over all the property. Thornley Colliery did not re-open until 1888.

The three collieries later became part of the Weardale Steel, Coal and Coke Company, Ltd., whose headquarters were at Tudhoe Iron works, Spennymoor.

Catalogue Contents

THORNLEY COLLIERY (Ref: D/X 832/1-189)Minutes (Ref: D/X 832/1-5)

Minutes of "a meeting of gentlemen interested in the formation of the London Steam Collier and Coal Company Limited" and subsequent weekly board meetings which involved such matters as the purchase of the business of Messsrs. Walton and Gowland on condition that they obtain permission for the company to berth a steamer of at least 175 feet long (7 July 1865); the purchase of Thornley and Ludworth Colliery (2 November 1866) and the establishment of a Northern Committee of directors to administer the collieries, 12 May 1865 - 9 July 1867
(1 volume)


Minutes of weekly board meetings of Thornley Coal Company (renamed Hartlepool Collieries Company, 9 April 1868), concerning matters such as the affairs of Thornley and Ludworth Collieries and the associated wharf company at Hartlepool, 20 July 1867 - 29 December 1868
(1 file)


Minutes of weekly board meetings of the Hartlepool Collieries Company (formerly Thornley Coal Company), including the decision to try to sell Ludworth Colliery (14 April 1871), 4 January 1869 - 3 May 1871
(1 file)


Committee minute book of the London Steam Collier and Coal Company, 2 January 1867 - 11 November 1870
(1 volume, leather half-bound)


Committee minute book of the Original Hartlepool Collieries Company, Ltd., 25 November 1870 - 13 November 1873
(1 volume, leather half-bound)

Letter books (Ref: D/X 832/6-12)

Indexed letter book of Thornley and Ludworth Collieries, including letters from P. Cooper, Thornley Manager; R. Balderstone and J. Clark, 3 May 1882 - 10 October 1883
(1 volume, leather half-bound)


Indexed letter book of R.M. Johns, Crimdon House, Castle Eden Station, acting on behalf of William Ford, dealing mainly with coal sales of the Original Hartlepool Collieries Company, Ltd., to 31 July 1884 when having failed to sell the collieries in June 1884, William Ford went into voluntary receivership, 25 January 1883 - 31 July 1884
(1 volume, leather half-bound)


Letter book containing correspondence between John Hunter, Hartlepool of the Hartlepool Collieries Company and Green Holland and Sons, 17 Coal Exchange, London, concerning cargos transported between the north east and London, 12 October 1883 - 17 June 1884
(1 volume, leather half-bound)


Indexed letter book of M.P. Wilson, Manager of Thornley Colliery, 12 July 1893 - 25 July 1895
(1 volume, leather half-bound)


Indexed letter book of John W. Laverick [Agent and Manager, Thornley Colliery, Weardale Steel, Coal and Coke Company Ltd., until 30 January 1907 when he was succeeded by George A. Curry] concerned with matters such as coal orders, Thornley Colliery, Wheatley Hill Colliery and houses, new colliery engines and royalties, 29 March 1900 - 11 September 1907
(1 volume, leather half-bound)


Indexed letter book of G.A. Curry, manager of Thornley Colliery, 18 July 1911 - 9 January 1913
(1 volume, leather half-bound)


Letters arranged in an alphabetical index sent to George A. Curry, manager of Thornley Colliery, Weardale Steel, Coal and Coke Company, Ltd., from J.H.P. Forster, Tudhoe Iron Works (Weardale Steel, Coal and Coke Company, Ltd.) and others, 10 May 1912 - 24 January 1913
(1 file)

Leases (Ref: D/X 832/13-69)

23 November 1865 (1) Rev. Thomas Wilkinson of East Hill House, Oxted, Surrey, clerk; Anthony Wilkinson of Old Elvet in the city of Durham, esq.; Anne Maria Wilkinson of Oswald House in Co. Durham (widow of George Wilkinson, esq., deceased); The Rev. George Howard Wilkinson, Bishop Auckland, clerk; Henry Chandler Wilkinson of Oswald House, aforesaid, Captain in Her Majesty's 82 Regiment of Foot (2) Mary Wilkinson of Oswald House, spinster (3) George Gowland; George Walton; John Candlish of Sunderland, M.P.; Robert Wilson, 45 Cambridge Terrace, Hyde Park in the county of Middlesex, gent.; Felix Jones of 6 Walton Villas, Brompton in the same county, captain in Her Majesty's Navy; --- Cluny and --- Elliott, 29 Cadogan Place, Chelsea, Middlesex, gents.; Sir James Rennie, C.B., 16 Somerset Street, Portman Square, captain in Her Majesty's Navy; William Green, coal merchant; Christopher J. Cottingham, 3 Vicarage Terrace, Lewisham, Kent, esq., barrister at law; Alexander Hector, 7 Stanley Gardens, Bayswater, Middlesex, merchant; John Halcro of Sunderland, esq.; Thomas George Hutton of Roker, esq., Thomas King, 65 Marquess Road, Cannonbury, esq.; Thomas Orton, Commercial Road East, esq.; all collectively known as the Lessees Copy lease for 42 years from (1) and (2) to (3) of mines and seams of coal and fireclay at Wingate and Wheatley Hill Boundaries and term of lease given in detail Rent: £2000 per annum and 5 shillings per ton for all coal
(1 file)


Plan of Wheatley Hill Colliery lease (originally attached to the lease) with colliery cottages and railway added, 23 November 1865 Scale: 1 inch to 5 chains [1 : 3960]
(1 plan, 78 cm. x 63 cm., waxed paper, ink and colour wash)


Letter to Philip Cooper, Thornley Colliery, from Joseph Hutchinson, The College, Durham City, acting on behalf of Major Wilkinson, concerning the land to be taken for Wheatley Hill leaseholds, 22 October 1873
(1 paper)


Particulars of Thornley leases from Spearman, Wilkinson, Gowland, Moon, Standish and Clarke, n.d. [post 1865 pre 1872]
(1 paper)


Bill of complaint in chancery between Jane Moon, widow, plaintiff, and the Original Hartlepool Collieries Company, Ltd., and others, defendants, requesting that the defendants should be restrained from working the seams of coal under the Crows House Estate until the difficulties over the lease have been resolved and that they should pay damages in respect of wrongful working since 11 November 1872, 11 June 1873
(1 file)


The answer of Jane Moon, widow, one of the defendants (with Stephen Watson) to the bill of complaint in chancery issued by the Original Hartlepool Collieries Company, Ltd., plaintiffs, concerning the question of the lease of Crows House royalty, 6 March 1873
(1 file)


Extracts from the Crows House lease granted by J. Botterell, Woodgreen, Middlesex and John James Dumville Botterell, London, to the Weardale Steel, Coal and Coke Company, Ltd., Tudhoe, for 42 years for a certain rent of £400 p.a., 1 July 1899
(1 paper)


13 May 1884 (1) James Webber Smith, Lieutenant Colonel in Her Majesty's 1st Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment, holding 3/4 of the shares of the heriditaments; Frederick William Webber Smith of 6 Inverness Gardens, Middlesex, esq., Major in Her Majesty's Army, holding 1/4 of the shares of the hereditaments (2) Robert Thoman of Seaham Harbour, shipowner Copy lease for 21 years from (1) to (2) of a messuage or farmhouse with farm buildings and lands known as Green Hills Farm in the township of Wingate; (2) has right to terminate the lease at end of first 7 or 14 years Rent: £65 per annum and drainage rent of £5 per centum per annum upon the sum of £580 which has been spent on drainage Originally enclosed in D/X 832/23
(1 file)


Letter to The Weardale Iron and Coal Company, Tudhoe Iron Works, Spennymoor from W.H. Wood, Coxhoe Hall, Coxhoe R.S.O., concerning the terms under which Colonel Webber Smith would be prepared to grant a surface wayleave at Greenhills, 17 March 1890
(1 paper)


Report by J.R. Crone of Tudhoe, on Green Hills royalty on the eastern boundary of Wheatley Hill Colliery giving the background, estimate of the coal remaining, rent details and recommending the company to secure a lease of the royalty, 22 April 1890
(3 papers)


Letters to J.W. Laverick, Thornley Colliery, from G.H. Wraith, commercial manager, Weardale Steel, Coal and Coke Company, Ltd., Tudhoe Iron Works, Spennymoor, concerning Green Hills farm and Green Hills leases, 7 and 25 June 1901 For enclosure, see: D/X 832/20
(2 papers)


1 January 1871 (1) North Eastern Railway Company (2) Original Hartlepool Collieries Company, Ltd. Copy agreement for 7 years between (1) and (2) as to the rates for leading coal from the Thornley, Ludworth and Wheatley Hill Collieries to Hartlepool, West Hartlepool and Sunderland; 3/- per chaldron on round coals and 2/9 per chaldron on small coals to Old Hartlepool and 3/4 on round and small coal sent to West Hartlepool or Sunderland
(1 paper)


Correspondence to William Spencer, Thornley Colliery, from William Hanson of B. Samuelson and Company, Middlesbrough, iron masters, and John Marley, concerning proposed meetings at Thornley and details of coal strata, especially the Harvey seam, 28 May - 1 July 1870
(1 file)


Letter to Philip Cooper, Thornley Colliery, from John Marley on behalf of Messrs. Cochrane and Robson, setting out a basis of terms for a sub-lease of portions of the Hutton and Harvey coal seams, to commence 1 July 1872, 8 May 1872
(1 file)


Copy of John Marley's proposals for Thornley, annotated by Philip Cooper, 9 May 1872
(1 paper)


Correspondence to Philip Cooper, manager of Thornley Colliery and Thomas Douglas, Peases West Colliery from John Marley, for Messrs. Cochrane and Robson, concerning the printed copy of the conditions of sale of Thornley Colliery in 1865, the Harvey seam and John Marley's offer for a sub-lease of portions of the Harvey and Hutton coal seams, 18 May - 7 June 1872 See: D/X 832/26
(1 file)


Correspondence to Philip Cooper, manager of Thornley Colliery, from John Marley, Mining Offices, Darlington, concerning details of the unworked coal in the Harvey seam, and various other matters, 1 and 8 August 1883
(2 papers)


Copy of the plan of Ludworth Colliery at the time of the sale, lent to Messrs. Harcourt and Macarthur, solicitors, 8 Moorgate Street, London E.C., 7 November 1871 Scale: 6 inches to 1 mile [1 : 10560]
(1 plan, 51 cm. x 42 cm., waxed paper, ink and colour-wash)


Two letters to Philip Cooper, viewer, Original Hartlepool Collieries Company, Ltd., Durham, from Harcourt and Macarthur, solicitors, 8 Moorgate Street, London, E.C., enclosing proofs of particulars of sale, then of particulars and conditions of sale of Ludworth Colliery, for comment by Mr. Cooper, 20 and 21 November 1871 For enclosure see: D/X 832/32
(2 papers)


Annotated rough proof copy of the particulars of sale of Ludworth Colliery, 20 November 1871
(1 paper)


Particulars and conditions of sale of Ludworth Colliery, property of the Original Hartlepool Collieries Company, Ltd., to be offered for sale by auction in one lot by Charles Brough at the Queen's Head hotel, 12 December 1871 Includes a plan of the colliery, 12 December 1871 Scale: 6 inches to 1 mile [1 : 10560]
(1 plan, 57 cm. x 42.5 cm., printed and colour washed, and 1 file)


List of share prices issued by Messrs. Spackman and Sons, 3-4 Great Winchester Buildings, Old Broad Street, London, directing attention to the shares of the Original Hartlepool Collieries, 3 December 1872
(1 paper)


Prospectus for the issue of £150,000 mortgage debentures, at 8 per cent at par, from the Original Hartlepool Collieries Company, Ltd., 18 July 1876
(1 paper)


Application form for mortgage debentures of £100 each in the issue by the directors of the Original Hartlepool Collieries Company, Ltd., July 1876
(1 paper)


Correspondence to Philip Cooper from Thomas Douglas, Peases West Colliery; William Ford, director (of the Original Hartlepool Collieries Company, Ltd.), Atcombe Court, Stroud; George Gowland, director (of the above company and of Royal Exchange Shipping Company, Ltd.); W. Lishman, Witton-le-Wear and R. Smith, secretary of the Original Hartlepool Collieries Company, Ltd., 4 New Broad Street, London, EC, concerning the preparation of a report on Thornley, Ludworth and Wheatley Hill Collieries for the board of directors, 17 June - 2 September 1875
(1 file)


Office copy of the annual report for 1875 on Thornley, Ludworth and Wheatley Hill Collieries to the directors of the Original Hartlepool Collieries Company, Ltd., by Philip Cooper, general manager, (including a report on the disastrous fire at Thornley, 8 May 1875), 1875
(1 file)


Printed report to the directors of the Original Hartlepool Collieries Company, Ltd., on the costs, sales and recommendations for the collieries of Thornley, Ludworth and Wheatley Hill by Philip Cooper, Thomas Douglas, William Lishman, June 1875
(2 papers)


Letter to the members of the Original Hartlepool Collieries Company, Ltd., from R. Smith, secretary, 4 New Broad Street, with reference to the need to raise £50,000 from shareholders from debentures bearing eight per cent (in addition to the £100,000 having been provisionally subscribed) in order to complete the capital account and bring the whole of the three collieries into full working, 18 April 1876
(1 paper)


Correspondence between Philip Cooper, manager, Thornley Colliery; J. Cheatter, Monk Bretton Colliery, Barnsley; John Patton of the Original Hartlepool Collieries company Ltd., Sunderland, and others, concerning a loan to the aforesaid company, 13 May - 12 June 1876
(5 papers)


Valuation of Thornley Colliery (Lessees the Original Hartlepool Collieries Company, Ltd.), giving details of the lessors, date of leases, royalties and quantity of coals worked between 1876 and 1878, n.d.
(1 paper)


Letters to P. Cooper, Thornley Colliery from Thomas Fenwick Hedley and Son, valuers and arbitrators, 6 Burlington Chambers, New Street, Birmingham, concerning information about Thornley Colliery, from the Original Hartlepool Collieries and acknowledging receipt of the relevant information, 22 February and 20 March 1879
(2 papers)


Letter to Mr. Ainsley from J. Elwin, Wheatley Hill, giving information about Wheatley Hill Colliery, requested by Mr. Ainsley, 10 March 1879
(1 paper)


Copy valuation of coal mines returns for Ludworth, Thornley and Wheatley Hill, signed by Philip Cooper, General Manager of the Original Hartlepool Collieries company, Ltd., 17 March 1879
(3 papers)


Letter to the overseers of Shadforth from John Watson, Clerk to the County Rate Committee, requesting the return of the enclosed form of return, completed, before 15 January 1879, 6 December 1878
(1 paper)


Letter to the Original Hartlepool Collieries Company, Ltd., from John Watson, Clerk to the County Rate Committee, requesting the return of the enclosed form of return, completed, before 15 January 1879, 6 December 1878
(1 paper)


Letter to P. Cooper, Thornley, General Manager of the Original Hartlepool Collieries Company, Ltd., from Edward Johnson, Assistant Overseer, Shadforth, enclosing, for his approval, a return form for a county rate basis for Ludworth Colliery, 31 December 1878
(2 papers)


Proposed county rate basis valuations of Thornley Colliery in the townships of Thornley and Wingate, made by T. Fenwick Hedley and Son, Sunderland, valuers to the Durham County Rate Committee, May 1879
(2 papers)


Valuation of Ludworth Colliery on the proposed county rate basis by T. Fenwick Hedley and Son, valuers to the Durham County Rate Committee, Sunderland, annotated on reverse with assistant overseer's statement estimating the rateable value, May 1879
(1 paper)


Copy of rate book for valuation of property, other than houses, of Ludworth, Thornley and Wheatley Hill Collieries, 1883
(3 papers)


"Particulars, Plan and Conditions of Sale of those important and well known current going sea sale collieries known as Wheatley Hill and Thornley Collieries", to be sold as one lot by Messrs. Davison and Son at the Central Station Hotel, Newcastle-on-Tyne, on 21 June 1884
(1 file)


Plan of Wheatley Hill and Thornley Collieries with conditions of sale by Messrs. Davison and Son on 21 June 1884 Scale: 6 inches to 1 statute mile [1 : 10560]
(1 file)


Valuations of fixed plant at Thornley and Wheatley Hill Collieries as agreed to by Messrs. J.A. Ramsay (for lessors) and J.R. Crone (for lessees). 30 June 1885
(6 papers)


Copy memorandum of the bond between Thornley Colliery Coal Company and the hewers, putters, drivers and deputies to be employed, giving details of rates of pay and conditions for the year 5 April 1837 - 5 April 1838, 1 February 1837
(1 file)


An uncompleted form of terms and conditions agreed upon between the Original Hartlepool Collieries Company, Ltd., and their colliery workers at Thornley Colliery, n.d.
(1 paper, printed, 56 cm. x 68.5 cm.)


Copy of the Ludworth Colliery Bond setting out the terms for Ludworth Colliery monthly hiring, n.d. [1850s]
(1 paper)


Set of financial statements showing the amount of coals worked and sold during 1872, together with a statement of underground and surface labour charges on Thornley Colliery, 1872
(1 file)


Letter to Philip Cooper, Manager of Thornley Colliery, from John Ambler, Secretary of Durham County Colliery Enginemen's Association, Half Moon Inn, concerning the wage of Bateman Wandless, the brakesman at the Upcast pit, 11 June 1872
(1 paper)


Letter to Philip Cooper, Thornley Colliery, from John Ambler, concerning the Ludworth brakemen, and proposals about reduction of Sunday working, 22 October 1872
(1 paper)


Samples of the forms used to make overman's reports at Deaf Hill, Trimdon and Haswell Collieries, 1874
(2 papers)


Thornley Colliery, Low Main Seam Pit bill being "an account by George Peel, overman, of work wrought in the Low Main Seam", 5 January - 29 March 1984
(1 volume, leather half-bound)


Pay Summary no. 20 for the week ending 4 October 1890 for the Hutton Seam Pit of Thornley Colliery for a total of £314.10s. 1d., 4 October 1890
(1 paper)


Thornley Colliery general pay bill for no. 22 Pay Bill, ending 27 October 1906
(1 paper)


Durham Coal Owners' Association forms giving fortnightly average earnings for putters in the Hutton and Low Main Seams of Thornley Colliery, 3 July - 14 August 1909
(2 papers)


Lists of names of putters and boys at work, and off work, at no. 1 and no. 2 pits, Thornley Colliery, 16-18 August 1909 Includes: summaries of attendance, 1909
(6 papers)


List of grievances of drivers and others, together with responses to the grievances, August 1909
(3 papers)


Draft note of the agreement in settlement of the putters' application for payment for overweight on coals put, n.d. [August 1909]
(1 paper)


Letters to George A. Curry, Thornley Colliery, from various Durham Collieries, giving information about their rates of pay for master shifters and back-overmen, 28-29 August 1913
(1 file)

1874 Strike (Ref: D/X 832/70-76)

Letter to Philip Cooper, Thornley Colliery, from William Crawford, Secretary of the Durham Miners' Association, 16 North Road, Durham, concerning the complaint of Wheatley Hill men that the agents are preventing them from riding when they come to the shaft, 11 March 1874
(1 paper)


Correspondence to Philip Cooper, Thornley Colliery, from Theo Wood Bunning, Secretary of the Durham Coal Owners' Assocation, William Crawford, Secretary of the Durham Miners' Association, and others, concerning strikes at Wheatley Hill, Thornley and Ludworth Collieries, relating to disputes mainly about reduction, length of shift and refusing to work on Baff Saturdays, 1 May - 12 November 1874
(1 file)


Correspondence between Theo. Wood Bunning, Philip Cooper and various others, concerning the return of the Thornley men and meeting of a deputation of Ludworth men, 3-22 February 1875
(3 papers)


Records by George Clark, George Peel and N. Vasey, of the number of men working and rates of wages, 27-28 May - 5 June 1875
(1 file)


Statements of furnacemen's wages for 99 Durham collieries including Thornley, to be used at a meeting of the Joint Committee for decision, 28 April 1876
(1 file)


Statement showing wages paid to shaftsmen at Thornley, Wheatley Hill and Ludworth Collieries, 22 June 1876
(1 paper)


Notes on a deputation's request to resume shot firing, and decision, 14 December 1876
(1 paper)

Pit disasters (Ref: D/X 832/77-79)

Appeal from the Washington Glebe Lodge Relief Fund for the dependents of those 14 men killed in the disaster on 20 February 1908
(1 paper)


Letter to George Curry, manager, Thornley Colliery from William Laidler, Thornley Colliery, informing him of a fatal accident involving Edmund Bradley, 2 July 1908
(1 paper)


Notes about explosions at Wingate, 14 October 1906 and at Wheatley Hill, 19 January 1871, n.d. [1950s]
(1 paper)

Development of the Collieries (Ref: D/X 832/80-132)

Philip Cooper's copy of a printed line drawing plan of Thornley and Ludworth collieries, showing the site of a new pit on Wheatley Hill estate, and including a diagram of a shaft showing the various seams of coal, 31 December 1867 No scale
(1 plan, paper printed, 34 cm. x 21 cm.)


Particulars of boreholes for clay on Thornley estate and east of Thornley village including a plan showing the position of the boreholes for clay on Thornley estate, February 1902 Scale: 1 : 2500
(4 papers and 1 plan, 32 cm. x 21 cm., ink and colour wash)


Plan of the proposed extension of sidings for new pit at Thornley Colliery, 6 May 1904 Scale: 25.344 inches to 1 mile [1 : 2500 approx.]
(1 plan, 32.5 cm. x 30 cm., ink and colour wash)


Correspondence between Messrs. Sparks and Blake, Crewkerne, Somerset and T.H. Warwick, Tudhoe Iron Works (Weardale Steel, Coal and Coke Company, Ltd.), concerning proposed extension of sidings at Thornley and difficulties in assessing a proper rent for the land involved, 9 May 1904 - 5 November 1907
(6 papers)


Copy of the specification for the sinking of a shaft at Thornley Colliery for the Weardale Steel, Coal and Coke Company, Ltd., 5 October 1904
(1 file)


Copy of a tender for a proposed sinking, from James Johnson, Boldon Lodge, East Boldon, to J.W. Laverick, mining engineer, Thornley, 19 October 1904
(1 file)


Account of strata sunk through at Thornley Colliery, n.d.
(1 file)


Letters to Philip Cooper, Thornley Colliery, from W.H. Wood, Coxhoe Collieries Offices, Coxhoe, concerning problems with Thornley Coke Ovens and the disputed liability of Coxhoe Collieries to repair them, 3 May - 5 June 1876
(1 file)


Balance sheet for Thornley Colliery coke works, No.13 Pay, ending 23 June 1883
(1 paper)


Correspondence to Philip Cooper, manager, Thornley Colliery, from J. Raine, 39 West Sunniside, Sunderland, and J.R. Breckon, Simon-Carves Patent Coke Ovens and Coal and Coke Merchant, 32 Fawcett Street, Sunderland, concerning new Simon-Carves coke ovens and the sending of coal varieties from Thornley Colliery for analysis in Darlington and Manchester, 2 July - 23 October 1883
(1 file)


Plan of freehold property and land at Thornley Coke works (Simon Carne's Coke Ovens), 25 September 1883 Scale: 25.344 inches to 1 mile, 1 : 2500
(1 plan, 24.5 cm. x 18.5 cm., waxed paper, ink and colour wash)


Proposals and detailed estimates for proposed expenditure on refitting Thornley Colliery after the fire of June 1875, to complete Ludworth Colliery to the extent of raising pay to 500 tons a day and on completing Wheatley Hill Colliery no. 2 pit to Harvey seam, 9 June 1875
(1 file)


Special list of 36", 38", 40" and 42" engines as per other tabular statement of winding engines at Thornley Colliery, June 1875
(1 paper)


Letter to Mr. Robson from Robert Aynsley, Thornley Colliery, requesting information; annotated by Mr. Robson with details of screens, pumps and buildings, etc., 5 March 1879
(1 paper)


Letters to Mr. Ainsley from W. Potts of Wheatley Hill Colliery Office, Ferryhill (the Original Hartlepool Collieries Company, Ltd.), giving details of engines' horse power for Wheatley Hill and Ludworth Collieries, 7 and 8 March 1879
(2 papers)


A list of the horse power of the engines at Thornley Colliery signed by J. Dees [for Robert Aynsley], 12 March 1879
(1 paper)


Miscellaneous correspondence to N. Spencer and his successor, P. Cooper, Thornley Colliery Managers, from Thomas Douglas, West Lodge, Crook, of Joseph Pease and Partners, concerning matters such as fair prices for screened coal, screens, map tracings, meetings, etc., 9 March 1870 - 29 August 1883
(1 file)


Letter and detailed statements to P.Cooper from Robert Lynch, Thornley Colliery, concerning waste caused by washing duff, 26 September - 16 October 1883
(1 file)


Letters to Philip Cooper, manager of Thornley Colliery, from William Hall of East Hetton Colliery and William O. Wood of Durham, concerning the amount of dirt out of their coal and the cost of washing coal, 1 and 3 October 1883
(2 papers)


Plan of Wheatley Hill electric supply (Weardale Steel, Coal and Coke Company, Ltd.), prepared by C.S. Verey Brown, M.Inst. C.E., 18 June 1906 Scale: 1 inch to 208.33 feet [1 : 2500 approx.]
(1 plan, 43.5 cm. x 33 cm., waxed paper, ink and colour wash)


Letter to Messrs. W.T. Glover & Company, Ltd., Trafford Park, Manchester, from the Weardale Steel, Coal and Coke Company, Ltd., concerning the installation of the main shaft cable at Thornley Colliery, 10 February 1910
(2 papers)


Memorandum to G.A. Curry, Thornley Colliery, from J.H.B. Forster, Tudhoe Iron Works, concerning the question of substituting metallic filament lamps for the carbon filament electric lamps in current use, together with the cost of the substitution; also notes on the comparable cost, 26 February 1910
(2 papers)


Letter [to the colliery manager?] from the Rev. E. Coltier Biggs, The Vicarage, Thornley, reporting that he has not received his half yearly bill for coal, light and water; he also says that he has heard that the company are charging a penny less per unit for light at Wheatley Hill and he hopes his rate will be similarly reduced, 15 December 1911
(1 paper)


Correspondence between J.H.B. Forster, Thornley Colliery; Messrs D. Selby Bigge and Company, 27 Mosley Street, Newcastle upon Tyne and Mireless Watson and Company, Ltd., concerning the delay by one week of the closing of the colliery for repairs to the condensing plant, 20, 22 and 23 April 1912
(1 paper)


Engineer's report on the electrical plant at Thornley Colliery by George Ness, Chief Engineer for the Scottish Boiler Insurance and Engine Inspection Company, Ltd., 29 May 1912
(1 file)


Letter to G.A. Curry, Thornley Colliery, from J. Garbutt, Secretary of Thornley and District Workmen's Club and Institute, Ltd., to ask for a meeting with a deputation to discuss the installation of electric light at the club, 26 February 1913
(1 paper)


Copy of the specification for pans and motors for No.1 Pit, Thornley Colliery, 21 October 1918
(2 papers)


Letter to Joseph T. Simpson, South View Cottage, from William Latimer, Director of Robert Bowran and Company, Ltd., enclosing a copy of a letter sent to Mr. Foster, quoting prices for the fans and motors for the Thornley No. 1 Pit, 12 December 1918
(1 file)


Memorandum to M. Barrass, from J.H.B. Forster, Tudhoe Iron Works, enclosing an account from Messrs. Robert Bowran and Company for fan motors for Thornley Colliery, terms as agreed 27 June 1919, 11 August 1921
(3 papers)


Poster setting out the charges for the supply of water supplied by the Weardale Iron and Coal Company and enforced by Easington Rural District Council, 18 November 1898
(1 poster, 25 cm. x 37 cm.)


A plan of the no. 2 scheme for a proposed water supply for Wheatley Hill village, n.d. Scale: 1 : 2500
(1 plan, 32.5 cm. x 20.5 cm., ink and colour wash)


List of material required to be ordered for laying 4" main up to storage tanks and laying distributing pipes to improve Wheatley Hill water supply, 9 January 1899
(2 papers)


Letter to Mr. Malcolm, Union Offices, Easington, from Ralph Parker, Miners' Secretary, Wheatley Hill, concerning the numbers of taps per street when the additional water pipes are to be laid, 20 February 1899
(1 paper)


Copy of a letter to Messrs. Stanton, Atkinson and Hudson, Grainger Street West, Newcastle upon Tyne, from J.W. Laverick, Thornley Colliery, concerning details in the proposed agreement on Thornley water, 29 March 1902
(1 paper)


Correspondence sent to J.W. Laverick, manager, Thornley Colliery, from J. Morley Longden, Clerk to Easington Rural District Council; Stanton, Atkinson and Hudson, Solicitors, Victoria Buildings, 21 Grainger Street West, Newcastle upon Tyne, and others, concerning the Thornley water agreement and estimated cost of pipes, etc., 11 April - 25 July 1902
(1 file)


Correspondence between T.H. Warwick, Secretary of Weardale Steel, Coal and Coke Company, Ltd., Tudhoe Iron works, Spennymoor, from J.W. Laverick, Thornley Colliery, and others, concerning the laying of water pipes to Fat Close Farm to replace water supply disrupted by mine workings, 7 July 1905 - 13 February 1906
(1 file)


Plan of proposed water pipes from existing main near Gore Hall to Fat Close Farm, Thornley and Ludworth Estates, 2 August 1905 Scale: 25.344 inches to a mile [1 : 25000]
(1 plan, 35.5 cm. x 48 cm., ink and colour wash)


Correspondence between G.A. Curry, Thornley Colliery, and J.H.B. Forster, Tudhoe Iron Works, concerning the payment for the cost of putting in the pipes etc. for the supply of water to the new Catholic schools, 5-6 May 1909
(2 papers)


Miscellaneous letters sent to G.A. Curry, Thornley Colliery, from various groups such as the new Catholic schools, concerning supply of water, 25 February, 2 March and 28 May 1909
(3 papers)


Letter to G.A. Curry, Colliery Offices, Thornley, from William Emery, Inspector of Nuisances, Easington Rural District Council, suggesting a meeting at which the latter would take a sample of water from Thornley mains for analysis by the county analyst, 24 April 1911
(1 paper)


Letter to William Laidler, Cashier, Thornley Colliery, from F.W. Girven, Surveyor, Public Health Department, Rural District Council of Easington, acknowledging his agreement to take a supply of water for his house from Easington Council's mains instead of having a supply branch laid on purpose by the colliery company, 23 March 1923
(1 paper)


Plan of the sewers at Wheatley Hill (copied from George Curry's tracing), 31 August 1904
(1 blueprint, 42 cm. x 31 cm.)


Letter to T.H. Warwick, Tudhoe Ironworks, Spennymoor, from J. Little, Viaduct Chambers, Carlisle, making a report on the provision of such drains in Thornley and Wheatley Hill as a are necessary to comply with Section 23 of the Public Health Act, 1875, 20 September 1904
(1 file)


Correspondence between T.H. Warwick, Tudhoe Iron works and J.W. Laverick, Thornley Colliery, with reference to drainage at Thornley and Wheatley Hill, 21 September and 5 October 1904
(2 papers)


Letter to George A. Curry, Thornley Colliery, from J.G. Heslop, Surveyor of Highways, Easington Rural District Council, concerning problems with a drain at Wheatley Hill, 4 March 1910
(1 paper)


Letter to George A. Curry, Thornley Colliery, from J.G. Heslop, Surveyor of Highways, Easington Rural District Council, apologising for his man, Cass, removing stone without permission and asking for a price to be arranged for the stone, 18 February 1909
(1 paper)


Letter to G.A. Curry, Manager, Thornley Colliery, from Marks and Blake, solicitors, Crewkerne, Somerset, concerning a meeting of a committee at the quarry at Thornley to consider the proposed improvement at the quarry, 17 May 1912
(1 paper)


Correspondence between J.H.B. Forster of Tudhoe Iron works and J.T. Simpson, concerning an appointment with G.C. Clark, about additional land for refuse heaps at Wheatley Hill Colliery, 22 November and 2 December 1916 For enclsoure See: D/X 832/128
(2 papers)


Plan showing land required for stone heap, Wheatley Hill Colliery, 1916 Scale: 25.344 inches to 1 mile [1 : 2500]
(1 plan, 33 cm. x 28 cm., waxed paper, ink drawing)


Copy of the case for the opinion of counsel submitted by the Rural District of Easington concerning the collection of stones (from coal) in streets, n.d. [1953]
(1 file)


Copy of counsel's opinion of Mr. R.D. Stewart-Brown, 11 Old Square, Lincoln's Inn, London WC2, on the case submitted by the Rural District Council of Easington concerning the collection of stones (from coal) in streets, n.d. [post 1947], 26 October 1953
(1 paper)


Letter to J.W. Laverick, Thornley Colliery, from T.H. Warwick, secretary, The Weardale Steel, Coal and Coke Company, Ltd., Tudhoe Iron Works, Spennymoor, concerning letter from Messrs. Stanton, Atkinson and Hodson, relating to a proposed road at Wheatley Hill, 15-16 December 1904 Includes: plan of the land which the company had agreed to surrender to the Easington Rural District Council, 1904 Scale: 1 inch to 40 feet [1 : 480]
(2 papers and 1 plan, 42 cm. x 30.5 cm., ink and colour wash)


Copy letter to the Weardale Steel, Coal and Coke Company, Ltd., Thornley Colliery from George Gregson, Surveyor's Office, Durham Rural District Council, 38 Saddler Street, Durham, concerning the repair of the road from Paradise to the entrance of the village at Ludworth and the possible contribution towards the cost by the company, 15 December 1909
(1 paper)

Repairs to Thornley Hall and Various Farms (Ref: D/X 832/133-138)

Specification for new farm buildings at Thornley Hall, 21 October 1870
(1 file)


Correspondence between Philip Cooper, Manager of Thornley Colliery; John Sparks, of Crewkerne, Somerset; J. Hirst and Sons, contractors and builders, D'Arcy Street, Sunderland, and others, concerning J. Hirst and Sons' account for repairs to Thornley Hall and various farms, and complaints about workmanship by John Sparks, 17 September 1870 - 14 November 1871
(1 file)


Correspondence to Philip Cooper, Thornley Colliery, from John Sparks, Crewkerne, Somerset, and from R. Kershaw, Thornley Colliery Office, concerning a visit by Mr. Sparks when he inspected and authorised repairs to Thornley Hall roof, Corby Castle roof, to various farms and Smith's public house in Thornley, 8, 9 and 20 May 1873
(3 papers)


Specification of work to be done in the alterations and repairs at Thornley Hall, June 1874
(1 file)


Letter [to P. Cooper?] from Mr. Armstrong, Old Elvet, Durham, asking him to tell his bailiff (Mr. Carter) that he cannot shoot or authorise other people to shoot over Thornley Estate, 13 May 1875
(1 paper)


Details of alterations and repairs required to Thornley Hall, prepared by the Engineer's Office, Thornley Colliery, 31 October 1922
(2 papers)

Colliery Housing (Ref: D/X 832/139-161)

Copy of 'An Act to facilitate the recovery of possession of tenements after due determination of the tenancy', 10 August 1838
(1 file)


Letters to P. Cooper, Thornley Colliery, from William Smith, builder, Easington Lane, making a tender for twenty cottages with attics at Thornley Colliery, for £69.10s.0d. each, and adjusting the chimney gable dimensions to allow for the cost of transporting lime and water, 15 October 1872
(2 papers)


Plan of part of Greenhills Estate, Wheatley Hill Colliery, showing proposed sites of houses, 10 October 1872 Scale: 1 : 2500 or 26.344 inches to 1 mile Attached is a note of the dimensions of fields, 32, 33 and 34, n.d. [1872?]
(1 plan, 50 cm. x 46.5 cm., waxed paper, ink and colour-wash)


Plan of part of Greenhills Estate, Wheatley Hill Colliery, showing proposed sites of houses, 12 November 1872 Scale: 1 : 2500 or 26.344 inches to 1 mile Also attached is a note of the dimensions of fields 23, 25 and 29, n.d. [1872?]
(1 paper and 1 plan, 49.5 cm. x 38.5 cm., ink and colour-wash)


Plan of cottage with one room upstairs for Ludworth Colliery (referred to in specification dated 20 November 1873) with front and side elevations and ground plan, 20 November 1873 Scale: 1 inch to 4 feet [1 : 48]
(1 plan, 56 cm. x 47.5 cm., waxed paper, ink and colour-wash)


Letter to J.R. Crone from George Gregson, surveyor and inspector, Surveyor's Office, 43 Western Hill, Durham, concerning details of the kind of privy and ashpit required by the new bye-laws of the Durham Rural Sanitary Authority, 23 June 1892 Includes: plans, with side and end elevations, cross and longitudinal sections, 1892 Scale: 1/4 inch = 1 foot [1 : 48]
(1 paper and 2 plans, 52 cm. x 22 cm., ink and colour-wash)


Plan showing front and side elevations and ground plan of outbuildings for two cottages, signed J.R. Crone, April 1892 Scale: 1/2 inch to 1 foot, [1 : 24]
(1 plan, 61 cm. x 48 cm., ink and pencil)


Plan of privy and ashpit for Tudhoe Inn Workhouse, showing front elevations, side sections and details of dimensions, 14 December 1892
(1 plan, 35 cm. x 24.5 cm., ink and colour-wash)


Plans for proposed privies, etc., at Quarry Street, Thornley, approved by N. Hale, Chairman of Easington Rural District Council, 15 March 1894 Scale: 1/8 inch to 1 foot [1 : 96]
(1 plan, paper, 141 cm. x 70 cm.)


Design for an earth closet with main projection and elevation, n.d. Scale: 1 inch to 1 foot [1 : 12] Includes: a plan, section and side, front and back elevations, n.d. Scale: 1 inch to 8 feet [1 : 96]
(1 plan, 39 cm. x 25 cm., ink and colour wash)


Notes of doors and seats to be used in outhouses for Thornley Colliery, n.d.
(1 paper)


Plans for "proposed new privies, etc." in Post Office Square, Thornley Colliery, approved by Easington Rural Sanitary Authority, 16 August 1894 Scale: 1/8 inch to 1 foot [1 : 96]
(1 plan, 144 cm. x 103 cm., ink and colour wash)


No. 4 tender for rebuilding Post Office Street Houses (12) at Thornley Colliery, drawing no. 896 showing block plan, 5 December 1910 Scale: 1 inch to 40 feet [1 : 480] Includes: front, back and sectional elevations, chambers and ground floor plans, 1910 Scale: 1/8 inch to 1 foot [1 : 96]
(1 blueprint, 63 cm. x 49.5 cm.)


Letter to G.A. Curry, Colliery Offices, Thornley, from William Emery, Inspector of Nuisances, Easington Rural District Council, Westfield House, Station Town, Wingate, complaining that no progress is being made on the rebuilding of colliery houses at Thornley, 17 October 1912
(1 paper)


Plan of proposed cottages at Thornley Hall farm, including plans of chamber and ground floors, front back and side elevations and a cross section, n.d. Scale: 1 inch to 8 feet [1 : 96]
(1 plan, 78 cm. x 55 cm., waxed paper)


Letter to the Manager, Thornley Colliery, from J. Morley Longden, Solicitor, Clerk to the Easington Rural District Council requesting co-operation with Philip Kirkup, mining engineer, who has been appointed to make a report as to the liability of subsidence of the sites selected for workmen's houses, 10 June 1919
(1 paper)


Cottage book of Thornley Colliery which contains details of cottages belonging to, or rented by, the Weardale Iron and coal company, Ltd.; it gives details of the number of workers in each house, 18 January 1884 - 28 October 1929
(1 volume, leather half-bound)


Record book of the Haswell Plough, Ludworth, Thornley and Wheatley Hill colliery houses, including names of occupants and their periods of occupation, 1893 - 17 December 1947
(1 volume, leather quarter-bound)


Correspondence to Philip Cooper, Thornley Colliery, from W. Robson, Wheatley Hill and William Crawford, Secretary of Durham Miners' Association, 16 North Road, Durham, concerning the threat to refuse use of a colliery house to James Wood who works for the Durham Miners' Association, as well as for the colliery, 18-30 December 1874
(3 papers)


Correspondence from A. Welsh, Manager, Thornley Colliery, to W. Dowding, Secretary of the Thornley Lodge of the National Union of Mineworkers, and others, concerning nominations for representatives on the Thornley Colliery Houses Advisory Committee, 9 September - 17 November 1947 Also notification of a meeting of the committee on 17th November 1947
(1 file)


Letter to Martin Fleming, Secretary of the Housing Committee, Thornley Colliery, from W. Dowding, Secretary of Thornley Lodge of the National Union of Mineworkers, requesting him to send people to consult their representative on the Housing Committee rather than send them to a lodge meeting, 1 October 1951
(1 paper)


Letter [to Martin Fleming] from J.W. Burgin, setting out his case for being given a colliery house, 18 November 1952
(1 paper)


Rough drafts and correspondence from Martin Fleming concerning the work of the Housing Committee, including reference to getting possession of four houses in Wheatley Hill, n.d. to 1 October 1953
(1 file)

Aged Miners' Homes (Ref: D/X 832/162-177)

Miscellaneous correspondence concerning Thornley Aged Miners' homes for 1915
(1 file)


Miscellaneous correspondence concerning Thornley Aged Miners' homes for 1916
(1 file)


Miscellaneous correspondence concerning Thornley Aged Miners' homes for 1917
(1 file)


Miscellaneous correspondence concerning Thornley Aged Miners' homes for 1918
(1 file)


Miscellaneous correspondence concerning Thornley Aged Miners' homes for 1919
(1 file)


Miscellaneous correspondence concerning Thornley Aged Miners' homes for 1920
(1 file)


Miscellaneous correspondence concerning Thornley Aged Miners' homes for 1921
(1 file)


Miscellaneous correspondence concerning Thornley Aged Miners' homes for 1922
(1 file)


Miscellaneous correspondence concerning Thornley Aged Miners' Homes and the opening of the new homes in 1923
(1 file)


Letter to John Adair, Secretary of Aged Miners' Homes Association, 19 The Avenue, Durham, from G.A. Curry, Thornley Colliery, enquiring if there is a ruling in connection with the county homes to apply to a case of a tenant who has been sent to gaol for six months, 31 March 1916
(1 paper)


Specification for estimates and designs for 12 houses and ancillary premises for old people's homes to be built by the Thornley Aged Miners' Homes Committee, n.d. [February 1914]
(1 paper)


Letter to George A. Curry, Thornley House, from Jasper Kell and Sons, Builders and Contractors, 51-3 North Road, Durham, regretting that they are unable to tender for the proposed aged miners' homes at Thornley as they have just moved to new premises and are not yet fully operational, 27 February 1914
(1 paper)


List headed 'Aged Miners' Homes' of organisations and individuals with addresses [possibly subscribers to the cost of the new homes], n.d.
(1 file)


Recommendation for J.H.B. Forster of a man to be nominated as an in-brother of Sherburn Home, 22 February 1922
(1 paper)


Notice of the opening ceremony of Thornley Aged Miners' Homes by Mrs. Curry of Thornley House, on 14 November 1923, followed by a grand concert in the Roman Catholic Schools, n.d.
(1 paper)


Thornley Colliery Federation Board financial statements dealing with the funds for aged miners' band, sports, administration, hospital and the auditor's certificate for the year ending 30 September 1958
(1 file)

Miscellaneous Items (Ref: D/X 832/178-186)

Notice of terminations of contracts of colliers, workmen and others employed at the Bryn Gwynne Colliery, situate in the parish of Aberdare in the county of Glamorgan, given by the Bwllfa Colliery Company, Ltd., to take effect on 31 December 1872, 30 November 1872
(1 paper)


Letter to J.W. Laverick, manager, Thornley Colliery, from W. Toner Ellingham, Chathill, concerning the practice of deducting allowances from the pay of Catholic men and boys, 27 September 1883
(1 paper)


Telegram from Doxford, Hartlepool, to Philip Cooper, Thornley, informing him that Mr. Johns could not attend an unspecified meeting owing to ear trouble, passing on various instructions and giving information about rates at South Kelloe Colliery, 10 October 1883
(2 papers)


Correspondence between H.W. Hollis, Managing Director of the Weardale Steel, Coal and Coke Company, Ltd., Tudhoe Iron Works, Spennymoor; J.W. Laverick, Thornley Colliery and Rev. J. Richardson, the Villas, Thornley, concerning the surrender by the company of some land for the building of a Primitive Methodist Chapel, 10 and 12 January 1901
(2 papers)


Letter to G.A. Curry, Thornley Colliery, from William Ellis, 12 Gilesgate, Durham, asking if he can find any work for an unemployed hewer with a wife and four children who he had found very near starvation, begging in the street, having been unemployed since October, 14 January 1911
(1 paper)


Letter to George A. Curry, Thornley Colliery, from Thomas A. Mackey (Under-Manager at Seaham Colliery), 12 Vane Terrace, New Seaham, asking if he can submit an application for the job of under-manager to fill the vacancy caused by the recent death of the under-manager, 25 May 1915
(1 paper)


Letter to J.H.B. Forster from John Fleming, Miners' Secretary of Thornley Lodge, concerning difficulties over appointing a new colliery doctor to replace the late Dr. Steel who 'went on holiday after the death of his wife, and when he got on board his ship, the government commandeered it and Dr. Steel, being a doctor, was immediately up under the military authorities and then his ship was sunk by a submarine and he met his death', 11 June 1917
(1 paper)


An extract from the supplement to the London Gazette no. 30287, mentioning 50816 gunner (a Bdr.) T.W. Oswald (Wheatley Hill) 37(5) Btl R.Gd. for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty under an intense and accurate enemy bombardment", 21 February 1918
(1 paper)


Letter to G.A. Curry from Edward Kitto, 24 Robson Street, Wheatley Hill, bandmaster, accepting the invitation for the band to play in the procession on Peace Day; he promises the loan of his mother's copper tea urn and requests that they should not be placed near the pit ponies in the procession as they had injured some of the band two years previously, 17 July 1919
(2 papers)

Anonymous Letters (Ref: D/X 832/187-189)

Letter to G.A. Curry, colliery manager, from "a villager" complaining about the state of the Thornley Literary Institute and the lack of facilities in the recreation end, n.d. [c.1910]
(1 paper)


Letter from "a friend" to G.A. Curry, Thornley Colliery, informing him that a miner from no. 2 pit, and others from no. 1 pit, are selling loads of coal from Ludworth pit heaps at 7 shillings a load, while he was receiving strike pay, 8 April 1912
(1 paper)


Unsigned letter from Wheatley Hill to G.A. Curry, Thornley Colliery, informing him that James Champley is running the trap nearly every day since his accident, 25 March 1912
(1 paper)

DURHAM COAL OWNERS' ASSOCIATION (Ref: D/X 832/190-200)

A copy of the rules of Durham Coal Owners' Association (15 February 1982)
(1 paper)


A copy of the alteration of rules of the Durham Coal Owners' Association as submitted by Mr. Stobart, 10 May 1872
(1 paper)


Copy of the rules of the Durham Coal Owners' Association passed 14 November 1879 and revised to 26 February 1909
(1 booklet)


Annual reports and balance sheets of the Annual General Meetings of the Durham Coal Owners' Association for the years 1898, 1903, 1909-10, 1913, 1918 and 1928-9
(8 booklets)


Report of Durham Coal Owners' Association concerning Coal Mines (Minimum Wage) Act, 1912; the formation and rules of the Joint District Board with the Durham Miners' Association and minimum rates of wages and district rules as fixed at the meeting of the board, 28 September 1915 For enclosure see: D/X 832/195
(1 booklet)


Confidential report from the Durham Coal Owners' Association concerning the interpretation of the minimum wage (rate fixed by the Joint District Board, 10 June 1912), September 1915
(1 paper)


Circular letter to colliery managers from Reginald Guthrie, Secretary of the Durham Coal Owners' Association, Coal Trade Offices, Newcastle on Tyne, drawing their attention to the A.G.M. resolution that local agreements must not be made on the question of supplying workmen with colliery houses in turn; any application from the workmen, or Miners' Association, must be referred to the Owners' Association, 2 March 1904
(1 paper)


List of collieries with the names of the representatives and views of the north, east and Auckland districts of the Durham Coal Owners' association, April 1907
(1 paper)


Miscellaneous notices concerning such matters as strikes or arbitration or resumption of work, from the Durham Coal Owners' Association, 13 January - 12 November 1874
(20 papers)


Correspondence to Philip Cooper from Theo. Wood Bunning, Secretary of Durham Coal Owners' Association, Neville Hall, Coal Trade Office, Newcastle upon Tyne, concerning matters such as regulations for boys under 16 working on the surface with the smiths and joiners, disputes at Wheatley Hill and Thornley, 17-18 January and 11 February 1873
(3 papers)


Correspondence to P. Cooper, Thornley Colliery, from the Rev. William Mayor, Thornley Vicarage; Theo. Wood Bunning, Secretary of the Durham Coal Owners' Association, and others, concerning a strike at Thornley Colliery, 10 June - 26 November, 1874
(10 papers)

JOINT ORGANISATIONS - COAL OWNERS' AND MINERS' (Ref: D/X 832/201-206)

An analysis of the work accomplished by the Joint Committee during the past year and suggestions for the future conduct of the business brought before the committee by the Secretary of Durham Coal Owners' Association, 1874
(1 file)


A copy of the umpire's award in the Northumberland Coal Trade arbitration given by Farrer Herschell, umpire, 23 August 1877
(1 file)


Two reports of the Joint Committee meetings of the Durham Coal Owners' Association including complaints and objections made at the collieries concerned, together with abstracts of awards and agreements, 16 June and 13 August 1914
(2 booklets)


Report and balance sheets of the Annual General Meeting of the North of England United Coal Trade Association, 20 December 1913, 19 December 1914 and 21 December 1918
(3 booklets)


Minutes of the Demobilisation Committee for Durham, meeting at Coal Trade Office, Newcastle on Tyne, 16 December 1918
(1 paper)


Notice and agenda of a general meeting of the members of the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers to be held in the lecture room of the Literary and Philosophical Society, Newcastle-on-Tyne on 6 April 1872, 2 April 1872
(1 paper)

RECORDS OF THORNLEY PARISH COUNCIL (Ref: D/X 832/207-234)

[On the whole these records relate to the period when Martin Fleming was Clerk to Thornley Parish Council while he was employed in Thornley Colliery Office and also Secretary to Thornley Colliery Housing Committee]


Various agendas for Thornley Parish Council meetings, 1 November 1957 - 30 January 1958
(10 papers)


Poster giving statement of persons nominated for election as parish councillors of Thornley, 21 April 1958
(1 paper, 33.5 cm. x 42.5 cm.)


Poster giving notice of result of poll of election of parish councillors for the parish of Thornley, 7 May 1958
(1 paper, 29 cm. x 44 cm.)


List of Thornley Parish Councillors, 1958-61, with most of their signatures, 1958
(1 paper)


Photograph of L.J. Hobin as a young man (later chairman of Thornley Parish Council), September 1927
(1 photograph, 9 cm. x 14 cm., sepia)


Forms from Thornley Parish Council making nominations for school managers and a magistrate, n.d.
(2 papers)


Miscellaneous correspondence to and from Martin Fleming, Clerk to Thornley Parish Council, 20 Thornlaw North, Thornley, concerning matters such as bus services, coronation clock, playing fields, etc., 8 March 1956 - 13 January 1959
(1 file)


Miscellaneous correspondence file of Thornley Parish Council concerning such matters as public rights of way, bus shelters, etc., 28 June 1959 - 21 May 1960
(1 file)


Letter from J. Hugill, Chief Constable's Office, Aycliffe, Darlington, to T.H. Holder, 1 The Gables, Thornley, enclosing the accident figures for July - September 1957 for Easington Road Safety Committee, 21 November 1957
(3 papers)


Correspondence to Martin Fleming, Clerk to Thornley Parish Council, from J. Harper, Clerk to Wingate Parish Council, concerning the state of the footpath from road B1279 near Thornley Bridge to Thornley Colliery, 12 November 1957 - 12 February 1958
(4 papers)


Letter to T. Agar, Clerk of the Easington Rural District Council, Easington, from Martin Fleming, Clerk of Thornley Parish Council, informing him that the council have approved the making up of the front of Garden Terrace and the adjoining back streets of Moor, Asquith, Galt and Bow Streets, 20 May 1958
(1 paper)


Extract of parish council minutes of meeting when representatives of Durham County Council, District Council and a number of owners attended the meeting and a resolution was passed that the parish council support the Durham County Council to carry out street works at Garden Terrace and adjoining streets, Thornley, 30 June 1958
(1 paper)


Correspondence to Martin Fleming, Clerk of Thornley Parish Council, from Maureen Stark, Secretary to Thornley Parochial Church Council, 4 Twelfth Street, Wheatley Hill, concerning the approach to Thornley Church, 17 October, 10 and 22 November 1958
(3 papers)


Correspondence to, and from, Martin Fleming, Clerk of the Council, and others, including letters from L.J. Heron, solicitors, concerning the problems of street litter, 3 July 1958 - 3 January 1959
(1 file)


Correspondence between Martin Fleming, Clerk to Thornley Parish Council and Post Office Telephones, Newcastle-on-Tyne Area, concerning the provision of telephone kiosks, 4 November 1958 Included: plan showing the proposed site of a kiosk at Shinwell Crescent, 19 September 1958 Scale: 1 : 2500
(4 papers and 1 plan, 19 cm. x 33.5 cm., ink and coloured pencil)


Correspondence between Martin Fleming, Clerk to Thornley Parish Council and Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society, Ltd., 9 Athenaeum Street, Sunderland, concerning various insurances for Thornley Parish Council, 14 January 1957 - 14 February 1959
(1 file)


Three illustrated newspaper cuttings from unidentified local newspapers about Edward Kitto, instructor and conductor of Thornley Miners' Lodge Band, which he conducted for the 39th year at Durham Miners' Gala, aged 68; he had attended every gala except one (when he was badly crushed in an underground mining accident), n.d. [1962]
(3 newspaper cuttings, 4.5 cm. x 26 cm., 4.5 cm. x 11.5 cm. and 4.5 cm. x 20.5 cm.)


Letter to M. Fleming, 20 Thornlaw, Thornley, from Harold Evans, editor of the Northern Echo, thanking him for his explanation about an error in a story on Mr. Kitto, 9 February 1962
(1 paper)


Rough sketch of heads of agreement between the Weardale Steel, Coal and Coke Co. and Thornley Parish Council whereby the company will supply electric lighting for the parish upon payment of price to be agreed and to be paid by the council and correspondence concerning the agreement, 17 August - 21 November 1900
(1 file)


Correspondence between William Swinburne, Clerk to Thornley Parish Council and George A. Curry, Manager, Thornley Colliery, concerning the request to have the lights turned on in the early morning when the men are going in first and fixing of some additional lights, 13 October - 11 November 1910
(4 papers)


Letter to T.H. Holder, Clerk to Thornley Parish Council from R.R. Lumsden, Engineer and Surveyor, Easington Rural District Council, informing him that the electric mains were connected by the National Coal Board to the public convenience in the Market Place, Hartlepool Street and three accounts for half yearly electricity supplied to the public convenience, 2 November 1954, 5 January 1955, 3 January and 20 June 1956
(4 papers)


Correspondence to Martin Fleming from the North Eastern Electricity Board, Wear Sub-Area, Dunning Street, Sunderland, concerning the substitution of N.E.E.B. supply for existing N.C.B. networks at Thornley Colliery, 12 December 1956 - 15 December 1958
(1 file)


Plan of Thornley Parish Council burial ground showing grave spaces with special areas for Roman Catholic and non-conformist burials, n.d. [post 1957] Scale: 1 inch to 20 feet [1 : 240] (1 plan, 76 cm. x 54.5 cm., waxed paper, print and coloured ink]


Correspondence to, and from, Martin Fleming, Clerk to Thornley Parish Council, concerning administration of the burial ground and applications for the post of caretaker, 2 December 1957 - 25 August 1959
(1 file)


Durham Rural District Council Festival of Britain illustrated handbook, 1951, 1 May 1951
(1 booklet)


Copy of the programme of Thornley Coronation Celebrations, 2 June 1953
(1 paper)


An account of the sinking of the Titanic on 15 April 1912, by M.J. Fleming, 15 April 1962
(5 papers)


Notes from unidentified sources about turnpike trusts and the development of the police force in County Durham up to 1960, n.d. [post 1960]
(5 papers)