The Hindmarsh Family

Bch 14. Sydney Hindmarsh - New Zealand 1925, Australia, Northumberland

"Map of Killingworth (West Moor) and Long Benton circa 1830"	"LONG BENTON parish comprises the townships of Killingworth, Long Benton, Walker, and Weetslade, whose united area is 9,040 acres. The parish is bounded on the north by Earsdon, Cramlington, and Stannington, on the west by All Saints' and Gosforth parishes, on the south by the Tyne, and on the east by the parishes of Tynemouth and Wallsend. It contains extensive collieries, foundries, quarries, gunpowder-works, and upwards of 1,300 persons are employed in the collieries alone. The soil in this district is very fertile, and the parish is intersected by the York, Newcastle and Berwick Railway." [From History, Topography, and Directory of Northumberland, Whellan, 1855]. It is understood that Killingworth colliery was originally called "West Moor". It appears that this branch lived in West Moor from about 1832 until at least 1890, with some remaining beyond that date. Their whole lives were dominated by coal mining and it is believed that at least one John, died in a mining accident (1845). It would seem that John, who was probably about 12 years of age - possibly younger - was employed as a trapper at Killingworth. The
"Killingworth Mine 1903"	following details provide an indication of the hardship suffered by miners and young children and serve as an introduction to the day-to-life of the ancestors from this branch. "A dreadful explosion of gas occurred this evening in West Moor colliery, near Newcastle, the property of Lord Ravensworth and Partners, which resulted in the death of four men and six youths; two others, who were extricated severely burnt, fortunately recovered. The explosion arose from the sudden discharge of a large quantity of gas." Source: "Local Records or Historical Register of Remarkable Events by John Latimer." Among the dead was: John Hindmarch, "Trapper", who was killed in the explosion (03 Apr 1845). Trappers 1825: They are the youngest boys employed in the mine. They are stationed at traps or doors in various parts of the pit, which they have to open when trams of coal pass
"Station Road, Long Benton 1900s"	through and immediately to close again, as a means of directing the current of air for ventilation to follow certainprescribed channels. It was formerly the practice to send boys of not more than six years to work in the mine as trappers. They remained in the pit for eighteen hours every day, and received fivepence a day each as wages. He was in solitude and total darkness the whole time he was in the mine, except when a tram was passing. He went to his labour at two o'clock in the morning, so that during the greater part of the year it was literally true that he did not see daylight from one Sunday till the Saturday following. There is no regular time set apart for meals; the children sometimes stop fifteen minutes to eat their "bait" but in many cases they never rest from their work even as long as this for refreshment. The "holidays" allowed to children and young people in the mines were: a fortnight's holiday at Christmas and a day on Good Friday, and sometimes Easter Monday. There was an absolute exclusion of all female workers - no women were employed below in the pits or on the bank.

Report from Mr Cousens, Schoolmaster, Killingworth. He was 30 years a Collier, and 40 years amongst collieries, and had been in the village for 12 years. "A very great difference exists in some parents - some keep them well at school. I think that widows and workmen who could afford it least have kept their children longest at school. Even those with the largest families and fewest workers have often kept their families longest at school. However, often a man best able to school his children is the least willing. One man having a family of eight children (George Young) kept them all at school - althought two of them were able to work - and supported his family out of his own earnings. He took no drink, no butter, and very little meat, in order to accomplish this. Yet this man was the most violent "chartist", though not taking up arms. He circulates the 'Northern Star' but is a great friend of education, a Methodist. This would be an exception to the general rule. I knew one other instance of this sort: the father was the brother-in-law of George Young. He would average 20 shillings a week, not more; he had to find out of this total money for all his work tools (his picks, power, and candles) and sixpence a fortnight for coal money, and sixpence a fortnight for the doctor (the village doctor) to attend his family even though he supported the benefits society by subscribing 8d a fortnight. This man paid his way regularly, and the family was decent and healthy. The parents do not think the pit injures the children's health."
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