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Bch 29ZB Hindmarsh - Lead Miners - Alston

The Lead Mining Area: Alston, Allendale and Stanhope
"The Lead Mining Area: Alston, Allendale and Stanhope"
 Alston Market Place
"Alston Market Place"

After the medieval days of the Border Reivers, and King George's men ("Geordies"), sometime around the middle of the 18th century, the long epoch of industrial mining in northeast England began on Alston Moor (Wallace, 1896).  Lead, of course, had been mined
intermittently in the area since Roman times, though on a smaller, primitive scale.   By 1768, however, there were 119 lead mines in Alston parish, of which the London Lead Company (a fair-minded collection of Quaker businessmen) was the most important.   The LLC created the town of Nenthead to service its mines and smelter, but Alston became the center market town of this important mining area: "It is no exaggeration to say that in the early years of the 19th century Alston was the lead-mining capital of the world." (Jenkins - 1991)   Serviced by the Alston Branch of the Newcastle & Carlisle Railway, (a crucial component of Victorian industrialisation  /mineralisation schemes) Alston was largely self-contained.   The weather and environmental conditions of the North Pennine moors contributing to the relative isolation of the area.
Life in the mines and the upland fells was not easy, though the LLC was held by most to be honourable (Mitchell, 1979).   The social policies of the company were responsible for the creation of many of the housing features of the area (scattered small-holdings where miner's families might grow their own vegetables, with stints on the moor for sheep grazing).   The company also enforced observation of the Sabbath upon its employees (though it did not proselytise for Quakerism), and with the advent of Methodism (John Wesley preached at the cross in Alston in 1745) a hard-working, stoical and determined culture grew up in and around the town.

Allendale

   "Allendale is an extensive and hilly parish in the district of Hexhamshire and in general appearance is sterile and desolate, abounding with rugged elevations, which, however, conceal mineral treasures of great value.  The parish is divided into nine grieveships: Allendale Town, Broadside, Catton, High Forest, Low Forest, Keenley, Park, West Allen (High) and West Allen (Low).   The village of Allenheads is situated in High Forest Grieveship, Ninebanks (previously Nine Banks) is in West Allen (Low), and Carr Shield is in West Allen (High).  Overall, it is about twelve miles in length by ten in breadth, and comprises an area of 37,267 acres.  The population in 1801, was 3,519; in 1811, 3884; in 1821, 4,629; in 1831, 5,540; in l841, 5,729; and in 1851, 6,383 souls. The rateable value is £11,631.  This parish contains very extensive lead mines, the principal of which are at Coalcleugh and Allenheads, where there are several levels nearly a mile in length...." [From History, Topography, and Directory of Northumberland, Whellan, 1855]

Comment:  The main branches containing lead miners in the Hindmarsh Family appear to be Branch 1, Branch 29T and Branch 49, although ancestors from many other branches were also involved.

You may view the family tree for Branch 1 here. 

You may view the family tree for Branch 29T here. 

You may view the family tree for Branch 49 here. 

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