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• Miscellaneous documents
  • London Lead Company (Ref: D/X 1825)
  • Publications (Ref: D/X 1825/1-3)
  • London Lead Company Workmen's Fund (Ref: D/X 18254-6)

Catalogue Description

The Company was established in 1692 and, according to the surviving minute books ['Fair Minute Books of the Court of Assistants of the London Lead Company' are available in the library of the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers, Newcastle upon Tyne] arrived in Teesdale in 1753, opening the first lead mine near Newbiggin. Before the end of the century it owned several mines in Teesdale, Weardale, Derwent Valley and other places across the North Pennines lead field. In 1815 the Company built its headquarters at Middleton House in Middleton in Teesdale.

Lead Mining revitalised the area, attracting people from neighbouring counties. The Company was the first in England to introduce a five day working week. It provided its workers with houses and basic health care and education for their families. The Company's libraries and reading rooms were among the first of this kind widely available and free for everyone.

Considerable growth was noticeable until the late 19th Century when the main lead vein had been worked out. Also the price of lead dropped due to cheaper lead being imported from Spain. Eventually the Company was sold in 1905 to the Vieille Montagne Company, who continued using the existing lead mines toextract zinc until the Second World War.

For other company records, including original Charters of Incorporation, see D/Bo/B.

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