Catalogue

Notes re Bretton mines, 1857 - 1860

Memoranda re surveys and meetings, rent accounts, and copy correspondence re Bretton estate and collieries, 1885 - 1898

Mineral rents ledger, 1831 - 1898 [Some entries are initialled by J.B. Simpson, but the volume was probably originally used by R. Simpson]

Out-letter book, 1870, 1888 - 1890 (1 volume) S Out-letter book, and some accounts, 1885 - 1888

Ordnance Survey 6" map, showing Bretton estate, 1887

Out-letter book, 1885 - 1889

In-letter book, 1883 - 1889. [Including re appointment as check-viewer to Ridley and Sir John Lawson, 1883. Infolded: "notes relating to Sir M. W. Ridley's coal interests" - descriptions of pits etc.]

Reports, plans, copy correspondence, tenders, etc. to Rt. Hon. T.F. Kennedy, 1853 - 1867

Proceedings of reference into South Derwent colliery trespass (Dickinson et al. v. Ritson et al.,) 1873 - 1874

Rent account book, 1868 - 1872 [R. Simpson's and/or J.B. Simpson's book?]

"J. B. Simpson and Son, check viewing accounts" (rents, etc. for various royalty owners and wayleave lessors), 1923 - 1924

Account of workings and vend at South Hetton and Murton collieries, 1854 - 1855

Draft sub - lease of Low Main seam, Elswick royalty, by C., W.C., and J.B. Cochrane to W.C. Carr, with letters concerning it, 1870 - 1871

Agreement for lease of mines at Newburn by the duke of Northumberland to Messrs. Spencer et al., 1871

Award by J. B. Simpson re hewing price at Hunwick colliery, 1874

Montague Main colliery, hewers' average wages, 1875

Copy quotation for steam pump from Tangye Brothers and Rake to Messrs. Achenback and Colley, Moscow, 1875

Notes re proposed machinery for Acomb colliery, 1876

Notes re a Russian coalfield [probably J.B. Simpson's], n.d.

Plan of Mr. Priestman's land at Benwell [to north of Scotswood Road and Newcastle and Carlisle Railway; gives field names, acreages, etc., n.d. (mid-late 19th century) Scale: 2 chains to 1 inch

A - C Messrs. Abbot (to) [1]; D. Akenhead (Gate Helmsley, Yorkshire) re Scotswood and Wylam Railway Company, 1876 [2]; J.H. Ames (Newcastle) re Newcastle Barge Day, 1876 [3-6]; R. Anderson (Aberdeen) re engines and Addison pit, 1866 [7]; G.F. Ansell (Wigan, Lancashire; and London) [8-10]; J. Archbold (Towneley Colliery) re Towneley colliery affairs, 1866 [11-12]; G Armstrong (Newcastle) re "Newcastle and Gateshead Water", 1876 [13]; W. Armstrong (Chester-le-Street) re Stella Coal Company affairs, 1874 - 1876 [14-20]; E. Bainbridge (Sheffield, Yorkshire) re possible English investment in Bohemian mines, 1876 [23]; T. Bates (Heddon, Northumberland) re wage reductions, 1874 [24]; C.S. Bell (Newcastle) [25]; J.G. Bell (Newcastle) offering services as civil engineer and surveyor, 1866(?), [26]; J. S. Borries(?) [27-28]; E.F. Boyd (Fencehouses) re Dickinson v. Ritson trespass case, requesting advice re offer of an agency, fitting manager's salary, etc., and re employing J. Simpson's cousin Jack, 1866 - 1876 [29-40]; R.F. Boyd (Morpeth; and Shildon Lodge colliery) re his career as viewer, 1874 [41-42]; J.R. Breckon (Sunderland) [43]; A. Briard [French] [44]; Mary Brown (Blaydon) re Simpson family affairs, 1874 [45]; J. Brown (Barnsley, Yorkshire) re arbitration under Inspection Act, 1866 [46-48]; T.F. Brown (Coleford, Gloucester; Cardiff) re J. Simpson's cousin Jack going to E.F. Boyd, etc., 1866 - 1876 [49-54]; Rev. W. Brown (Blaydon) [55-57]; T.W. Bunning (Newcastle) re his salary from the Mining Institute, and Coal Trade affairs, 1874 - 1876 [58-62]; C. Carr (Ambleside, Westmorland) re Throckley rents, 1874 [63-64]; W.C. Carr (Benwell, Northumberland) re Elswick colliery, 1870 - 1876 [65-68]; B. and U. Charlton (Bellingham, Northumberland) [69-72]; W.H. Charlton (Bellingham, Northumberland) [73-74]; J. Cheeseman (Throckley) re Throckley tubs, 1876 [75]; G. Cherry (Blaydon) [76]; Messrs. J. and N.G. Clayton (Newcastle) [77-78]; W. Cochrane (Elswick, Northumberland) re Elswick colliery etc., 1866 - 1876 [79-84]; R. and G. Coke (Chesterfield, Derbyshire) [85]; W. R. Cole (to) [86-87]; J. Cook (Washington Iron Works) re orders for tubs, 1866 [88-93]; R. Cooper (Leeds) re a railway committee, 1876 [94]; V.W. Corbett (Londonderry Offices, Seaham Harbour) re borings, 1876 [95]; W. Coulson (Durham) re engines, 1876 [96-98]; T. Cowden (Cumberland) - "Sir, we here in this countrey that are wanting men and that you will bear the expences. I Thomas Cowen and my son will go to you ..", 1866(?) [99]; J. Cowen (Blaydon) re Stargate, 1874 [100]; J.H. Cox (Sunderland) re private affairs, Shire Moor colliery [in French], finances, state of trade, etc., 1866 - 1876 [101-107]; Crawford Brothers (Newcastle) re buying and selling iron rails, etc., 1866 [108]

D - G J. Daglish (Tynemouth) re joint account to Durham Defence Association for reports, etc. on Byer Moor colliery claim, etc., 1874 - 1876 [1-2]; C. Daley (London; Buntingford, Hertfordshire) re private affairs, Elswick colliery and financial loss speculation, state of coal trade, 1874 - 1875 [3-9]; A. Dalziel (Cardiff) [10]; H. Davey (Newcastle) [11]; D. Davies and Company (Pontypridd, Glamorgan) [12]; R.R. Dees (Newcastle) re legal matters, 1866 - 1874 [13-26]; Dees and Thompson (Newcastle) re legal matters, 1876, 1877 [27-30]; Dibb and Raley (to), testimonial for R. L. Galloway as mining engineer, 1876 [31]; W.R. Dickenson (South Derwent colliery) re two pitmen leaving without serving notice, etc., 1866, 1874 [32-33]; W. Dickson (Alnwick) re Archdeacon Thorp's rents, 1875 [34]; J. Dixon (Newcastle) [35]; J. Douglas (Peases West Colliery) [36]; T. Douglas (Peases West Colliery) [37]; T. Douthwaite (Merthyr Dale) re colliery machinery, ventilation, and winding apparatus, with plan and description, 1876 [38-41]; Drummond and Reed (Edinburgh) [42]; J W. Dunn (Warkworth, Northumberland) re son Arthur' s apprenticeship and enclosing testimonial from Clapham Grammar School, London, 1876 [43-45]; M. Dunn (Newcastle) [46-47]; E. Durrant (Moscow) re visit to Russia and mining affairs there, 1875 and n.d. [48-51]; W.(?) Foster (Cramlington, Northumberland) re wages reduction, "Billy Fairplay", and reopening of Durham cathedral, 1876 [52]; G.B. Forster (Backworth, Northumberland), 1875, 1876 [53-54]; R. Frazer and Sons (Newcastle) [55]; J. M. Furness, receipt for school fees, 1875 [56]; R. Galloway (Blaydon) giving news of Stella Coal Company and Acomb collieries and of Simpson family; and adoption of "Billy Fairplay" by Northumberland coal owners, 1874 - 1876 [57-63] ; Gateshead Union, order to Ryton overseers for payments from poor rates, 1866 [64]; J. Gibson (Hexham, Northumberland) re Stella Coal Company contributing to upkeep of Gateshead and Hexham turnpike road, 1866 [65-67]; R. Gibson (Hexham, Northumberland) requesting valuation of Riddell's coal under Chester House Farm for proposed purchase by Captain Widdrington, 1874 [68]; J.T. Gibson (Newcastle) [69]; J.N. Gordon (London) [70] ; W. Grace (Kirkheaton, Northumberland) re Kirkheaton colliery, 1873, 1876 [71-72]; R. Gray and Son (Newcastle) [73]; W. Green (Newcastle) [74]; W. Green junior (Towneley and Garesfield collieries) including re probable strike, 1866 and 1875 [75-76]; G.C. Greenwell (Poynton, Cheshire[?]) re Shire Moor colliery; underground drawing engine in a Lancashire colliery, with diagram; urging reconciliation with R. Simpson, etc., 1874 - 1876 [77-81]; W.J. Greenwell, 1866 [82]; J. Guthrie (Newcastle) telegraph requesting J. Simpson's presence in London for Lords' Committee on Tyne Bill, n.d. [83]

H - L E. Hague (London) re J. Simpson taking on Davy's son, Royston lease, etc., 1875 [1]; J.C. Hair (Shire Moor Coal Co., Earsdon, Northumberland) re mining progress, 1874 [2-4]; Isabella Hall (Tynemouth) 1866(?) [5]; Luke Hall (Stella staith) re daily workings at Emma Addison and Bog pits, and re stroke suffered by T.Y. Hall, 1866 [6-13]; T.Y. Hall [14]; J. Harrison (Hedgefield) re Stargate and Emma pit mining affairs, and employment of Fletcher from Cumberland, 1866 [15-17]; R. Harrison (South Shields) [18]; Harvey and Co. (Hayle, Cornwall) re Shire Moor colliery matter, etc., 1874, 1876 [19-20, 20A]; T. F. Fenwick (Sunderland) [21]; T.S. Hindhaugh (Moreton Hill colliery, Denbighshire) re recent appointment as manager, mining affairs, description of area; Machen for sale; private news, etc., 1865 [22]; G. W. Hodge (Newcastle) re Dickinson v. Ritson, 1874 [23]; Hodge and Harle (Newcastle) re Dickinson v. Ritson and Bainbridge v. Ritson, 1874 - 1876 [24-27]; H. Hollbet (South Staffordshire Colliery Co., London) re slow progress at colliery, 1875 [28]; R. Y. Holmer (Newcastle) [29]; H.D. Hoskold (London) requesting opinion on his book on valuation of mines, 1876 [30]; R. Howson (Northampton) re undertaking, Salgo Tarjan Company, and a meeting with "the veritable Mr. Ruskin", 1874 [31, 32]; Hoyle Shipley and Boyle (Newcastle) re bankruptcy of John Rutter of Ryton, painter and innkeeper, 1866 [33-34]; W.E. Hubbard (London) re exporting coal and a machine to Russia, 1875 - 1876 [35-38]; J. Humble (Garesfield colliery) re dismissing a new employee (Sam Pletts) who had not served his notice with J. Simpson, 1866 [39]; Huntley and Company (West Hartlepool) printed advertisement and price list for paint, cement, rubber goods, nails, etc., 1866 [40-41]; J. G. Hurst (Riding Mill and Seaton Delaval colliery, Northumberland) re the "Arm" coal, 1876 [42-43]; W. Husband (Harvey and Co., Hayle, Cornwall) recommending a valve, 1876 [44]; T. James (Radstock, Somerset) congratulating J. Simpson on his success in life, "your diligence when with us", etc., 1875 [45]; J. Johnson (Chilton Hall) requesting Grand Lease account, 1866 [46]; J. Jones (Middlesbrough) [47]; J. Kay (Urpeth Hall) [48]; J. Kaye (W.B. Lead Mines, Allenheads, Northumberland; Bretton, Yorkshire, etc.) re various colliery and business matters, 1866 - 1875 [49-53]; J. E. Kaye (Wakefield, Yorkshire; etc.) [54-57]; J.W. Kirkby (Escomb Bridge) re work as trainee viewer, 1866 [58]; W. Laise (Bristol) mentioning training at Bristol and London Schools of Mines, 1876 [59]; T. Lambert (Whitwell colliery) [59A]; M. Lambert (Whitley Hall) [60]; J. Laws (Blyth, Northumberland) [61]; Mary Lawson to Annie Simpson re family news, 1874 [62]; R. Leadbitter (Newcastle) [63]; Leadbitter and Harvey (Newcastle) re legal matters, 1874 [64-65]; H. Lee (Brighton and London) re J. Simpson's introduction of sterlet [fish] into England, conversation with Russian merchant about it, and meeting with Captain Duffy of the "Darwin", etc., 1874 - 1876 [66-68]; J.R. Liddell (Newcastle; Neddleston, Northumberland) [69-70]; M. Liddell (Tynemouth and Prudhoe, Northumberland) re labour unrest at Mickley colliery, problem of wages; disapproves of Simpson' s advancing wages, 1866, and re cokemen giving notice and cokemen' s wages, 1875 [71-74]; W. Listman (Fencehouses) [75]; Losh Wilson and Bell [76, 77]

M - R Rev. W. Maughan (Benwell) [1]; Dr. De May (Newcastle) [2]; J. McMurtrie (Radstock, Somerset) re various matters, details of salary, etc. for enginewright, his appointment as land agent to Radstock and Cheriton estates, etc., 1866 - 1875 [3-10]; M. Marshall (Newcastle) mentioning chandlers' association, 1866 [11]; to Mrs. Marshall [12]; J. A. Maughan (Ryton) re Stella colliery affairs including complaints re wages and question of putters' riding time, 1866 [13-14]; T. D. Milburn (Warley, Essex) mentioning pitmen's objections to wage reductions, 1874 [15]; D. P. Morison (Newcastle) [16]; J. Morrison (Newcastle) re Sir Rowland Errington's coal, 1873 [17]; Moses and Brown (Newcastle) re death of Miss Potter, 1866 [18-19]; J. Nansen (Newcastle) re Stella Coal Company affairs including re management, T.Y. Hall's difficult behaviour, labour relations, etc., 1866, 1874 [20-31]; Newcastle and Gateshead Water Company, circular re meeting to consider Bill, 1866 [32]; T. Nicholson (Gateshead) [33]; W. Nicholson (Seghill) [34]; J. Nixon (Northumberland Miners' Mutual Confident Association) re reduction of stonemen's wages at Shire Moor, 1876 [35]; Captain Noble (Newcastle) inquiring re mining engineer to inspect and report on mine near Moscow, 1874 [36]; North of England Institute of Mining Engineers, circulars and receipts, 1866 [37-39]; J.T. Oliver (Newcastle) to A. Potter [40]; A.S. Palmer (Heworth) re mining affairs, 1875, 1876 [41-42]; C. Parnely (Radstock, Somerset) re payment of his premium, 1874 [43]; C. Philipson (Newcastle) [44]; to Messrs. Pooley [45]; A. Potter (Newcastle) re Stella Coal Company affairs; including "outrageous" wage demands (1866) and private affairs, 1866, 1875 - 1876 [46-55]; A. M. Potter (Cardiff and Newcastle) re visits to collieries in Lancashire, South Wales, and Forest of Dean, and sending certificate of service at Murton colliery, 1874, 1875 [56-57]; J. Prior (Manor House colliery) semi-literate letter denying interference with "youare men wage nor worke", 1866 [58]; to J. Priestman [59]; J.T. Ramsay (Walbottle colliery) apologising for taking an employee, 1866 [60-62]; to W.A. Ritson [63]; T. Robson (Lumley Thicks) [64-65]; Rodham and Company, ale merchants (Newcastle) voucher [66]; J. Roscamp (Acomb colliery, Northumberland) re fire in mine, and requesting opinion on "my arrangement for this place", 1875 - 1876

S R. B. Sanderson, re Norwood colliery, 1875 [1]; A.R. Sawyer (Ryton) re boring near Greetwell Hall, German school in Dresden, etc., 1874 [2-3]; Schlesinger Davis and Company (Wallsend) [4]; R. Scott (part only), n.d. [5]; Agnes Simpson (Newport, Monmouthshire), 1866 [6]; Annie Simpson [wife] (Thomlinson Lodge and Hedgefield House) local and private news, including cattle plague and fever epidemic (at Hedgefield), n.d. (1866) and 1876 [7-9]; Charles Simpson (Ushaw Moor) [10]; Charles Simpson [son] schoolboy letters (requesting Latin primer, re travelling arrangements, etc.) and school reports from Oakfield, Rugby, n.d. and 1876 [11-15]; Frank Simpson [son] schoolboy letters (mostly re progress in class, requesting forgotten items to be forwarded, and receipt of presents, etc.), and school reports from Oakfield, Rugby, 1874 - 1876 [16-26]; John Simpson [cousin] (Newport, Monmouthshire) re mining affairs, and J. Simpson's efforts to obtain him post under Mr. Boyd in check-viewing: "am only sorry I am not sufficiently up in pit work to accept it", 1866 [27]; Robert Simpson [father] re Stella Coal Company affairs (T.Y. Hall's behaviour, management, etc.) Shire Moor colliery; announcing, explaining and apologising for his second marriage; typhus fever epidemic, etc., 1866 - 1876 [28-50]; Thomas Simpson [uncle] (Newport, Monmouthshire) re obtaining post for Jack with Mr. Boyd, and re building up wire-rope business to make up loss from Machen colliery, 1866 [51-53]; J.T. Smith (Thetford, Norfolk; and Colpike Hall) mentioning (from J. Simpson) Salgo Tarjan report, and comments re training [as viewer?], 1866, 1874, 1876 [54-56]; T.T. Smith (Urpeth Hall) [57]; W. Smith (Acomb colliery, Northumberland) re colliery fire, and threat of closing mine because of serious state, 1875 and n.d. [58-59]; A. Sopwith (Walsall, Staffordshire) referring to period "under your wing", 1876 [60-61]; T. Sopwith (Westminster) [62]; T. Sopwith junior (Wincanton, Somerset) [63]; T. Sopwith (South Derwent colliery) re attempt to gain post as manager of colliery near Rainton under Mr. Corbett of Seaham, 1876 [64-66]; J. Spencer and Sons (Newburn Steel Works, Newcastle) [67]; A. L. Steavenson (Durham) re arbitration re new pit at Browney colliery, 1875 [68]; R. Stephenson (Felton, Northumberland) [69]; Rev. Stowell (Ryton) complaining re paying poor rates on Sunday school, 1876 [70]; - Sutcliffe (North Gawber colliery, Yorkshire) re J. Simpson's visit, 1866 [71]; J. Swift (Nr. Sheffield, Yorkshire) re Dodsworth Road colliery, etc., 1865, 1866 [72-73]

T - W J. Taylor (Earsdon, Northumberland) business notes re Throckley, Shire Moor and Stella collieries, etc., 1874 - 1877 [1-17]; T. F. Thomas (Cardiff) accepting offer of help in gaining underground experience in the North, 1876 [18]; A. Thomas, solicitor (Newcastle) re Farmacres royalty near Dunston, 1874 [19-20]; J. Tine (Newcastle) note re Kirkheaton colliery plans and account, 1875 [21]; to J. Tyas arranging to visit Oaks colliery, 1874 [22]; D. Tyzack (Newcastle) inquiring re John Robson's suitability to be colliery enginewright in China, 1876 [23]; J.J. Urwin (Monkwearmouth) thanking for help in obtaining post at Gilcrux colliery (Cumberland) at salary of about £150 per annum, 1865 [24]; J.S. Vardy (North Eastern Railway) re supply of wagons, 1866 [25]; J.M. Walker (Nairn, Scotland) [26-27]; Walker and Emley (Newcastle) quotations and diagrams for close fire range, 1866 [28-29]; H. Wallace (Ryton) [30]; J. Walter (Nenthead, Cumberland) re "putting a son of mine to learn the coal - mining business", 1874 [31]; S. Wardell (Ryton) re Stella Coal Company affairs: "one of the West Country men started at the Addison this morning"; "T.Y. Hall ... seems pretty mad I think"; and mining matters, 1866 [32-34]; T. Ware (Hexham, Northumberland) re minor matters at Stonecroft and Greyside mines, 1875, 1876 [35-36]; to N. Watson [36A]; Mrs. Mary Webb (Ryton) [37]; Rev. W. Webb (Ryton) re seating in church, grant for Hedgefield School and Inspector's report, 1874, 1876 [38-39]; Webster and Company (Sunderland) [40]; R.M. Weeks (Ryton) re overseers', Local Board, and vestry meetings, 1866, 1874 [41-43]; Rev. R.F. Wheeler (Whitley, Newcastle) inquiring re possibility of supplying water from Shire Moor colliery, especially for Monkseaton and new part of Whitley, as Shields Water Company cannot cope, 1876 [44]; Bishop T. E. Wilkinson (Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk) requesting help for work in Africa, 1875 [45-46]; G. Wilson [47]; T. G. Winship (Newcastle) [48]; L. Wood (London; Chester-le-Street) [49-50]; L.B. Wood (Tynemouth) family news, n.d. [51]; to W.O. Wood (Blaydon) re investigating his claim, at request of Durham Finance Committee, 1876 [52]; E. Woodhead (Bradford, Yorkshire) [53]; H. B. Wrey (Blaydon) [54]; J.W. Wrightson (Stockton) [55]; Wylam Wood Coal Company Limited, re appointment of J. Simpson as consulting viewer at £50 or £60 per annum, and mentioning liquidation of the company, 1874, 1876 [56-57]

File of letters, 1874 [during J. Simpson' s visit to Russia]. Jane Anderson (Hedgefield) family news [4, 8, 11, 23, 25, 35]; Dr. and Mary Brown, family news [17]; - Bunning (Newcastle) re strike, etc. [29]; A.J.C. Cox (Sunderland) [34]; C. Daley [?] (Buntingford, Hertfordshire) [36]; R. Galloway (Shire Moor) re Seaham pitmen sending in their notice, wage reductions, strike, colliery affairs, etc. [2, 10, 14, 16, 22, 28, 32, 37]; G.C. Hair (Shire Moor) re Shire Moor colliery affairs, etc. [3, 33]; J. Nanson (Newcastle) re strike, Shire Moor colliery, etc. [26, 30]; C. Parish (Russia) [27]; A. Potter (Heaton Hall) re strike, etc. [12]; M. Scott [?] [13]; R. Simpson [father] re strike, Stella and Shire Moor colliery affairs, etc. [1, 7, 9, 18, 20, 21, 31, 38]; C. Simpson [son] [5]; F. Simpson [son] [6, 24]; C. Stewart [surgeon; residing in Poland] requesting financial help for examinations [19]

Miscellaneous letters, writer or recipient unknown, and bundle labels, etc.

Cyphering book [age 12], 1849

Plane trigonometry exercise book [J. Simpson's ?], n.d.

Claim for vote in Northern division, 1859

Copy census return, 1861

Summons to attend Grand Jury, 1862

Papers re Cardiff meeting of Institute of Mechanical Engineers, 1874

Belgium and Holland hotel bills, 1876

Printed programme for Newcastle "Barge Day", 1876

Draft address to electors of Ryton division, Durham County Council elections, 1892

Notes on cost of labour and price of coal at Towneley, 1870 - 1874 [by J. Simpson ?]

1902 - 1906

1906 - 1909

1909 - 1911

1911 - 1913

1915

1916 - 1919

1919 - 1921

1921 - 1923

1924 - 1925

1926 - 1927

1927 - 1930