Joicey Collieries around Tanfield

The following is a short extract from a facsimile of A History of Coal, Coke, Coalfields znd Iron Manufacture in Northern England by William Fordyce, published in 1860.   At the time, the NER was newly established, the Tanfield Branch was an iron railway without locomotives, colliers worked 12-18 hours a day (unionisation was in its infancy), wooden brigs predominated - but could not pass beyond the Georgian bridge at Newcastle, & the TIC had barely started to improve navigability of the Tyne.   The book may have been written for the general knowledge & interest of educated Victorians who would have understood the importance of coal & iron to the NE economy.

A coal mill used to pump water from mines, similar to that at Bobgins
(I believe drawn by TH Hair about 1830)

Tanfield Lea Colliery was won in 1829, by the late Marquis of Bute and Miss Simpson of Bradley, and is 22 fathoms deep to the Five-quarter seam, which is 4 feet 8 inches thick; 10 fathoms farther to the Brass thill seam, 4 feet 9 inches thick; 32 fathoms farther to the Hutton seam, 6 feet 6 inches thick; and 5 fathoms farther to the Low Main, 3 feet 9 inches thick.   The colliery was sold in 1847 to Messrs. Joicey, by whom it is now worked. The royalty belongs to Lord Ravensworth.

Tanfield Moor Colliery is situated 8 miles south-west of Newcastle.   It is 42 fathoms deep to the Five-quarter Coal seam, which is 4 feet 6 inches thick; the Brass thill, 5 feet thick, is 6 fathoms farther; the Hutton seam, 6 feet thick, 34 fathoms further; and the Low Main Coal, 3 feet 6 inches thick, is 6 fathoms farther, making a total of 88 fathoms.   This colliery, with the adjoining royalty of Bushblades, is at present wrought by Messrs. James Joicey & Co., who have also a number of coke ovens adjoining the colliery.   The royalties of Tanfield Moor were reserved by Act of Parliament (See 4 History of Durham,” Vol. 2, p. 635—1857) to the Marquises of Bute and Hertford, the Earl of Windsor, and Miss Simpson; the Coal to Wm. Morton Pitt, Esq.; and all right to waifs, estrays, &c., to Sir John Eden, Bart., as lord of the manor.

Tanfield, or East Tanfield Colliery is situate near the village of Tanfield, about 7 miles south-west from Gateshead, was sunk to the Low Main Coal in 1844, at a depth of 20 fathoms, by Mr. James Joicey.   The seam is about 3 feet 8 inches thick.   The Busty Bank seam has also recently been won at a depth of 60 fathoms, and is now working.   There is also a large draining-pipe and brick manufactory adjoining the colliery, both of which are worked by Messrs. Joicey.   The royalty belongs to John Eden, Esq.   The Coals are led down the Tanfield branch of the North-Eastern Railway, and shipped at the docks at South Shields and Sunderland. 

South Tanfield Colliery is situated about 9 miles south-west of Newcastle, and is now being worked in the Brass thill seam, at a depth of 52 fathoms; the seam is about 5 feet thick, and is worked by Messrs. Joicey.   There is also a firebrick manufactory and a large number of coke ovens worked in connection with the colliery.   The Coals and Coke are shipped at the Tyne Dock, South Shields, and the North and South Docks, Sunderland.   At Kyo, a small village near the above colliery, is the birth-place of the late John Buddle, Esq, whose father was for many years the viewer of collieries close adjoining. — (See “ History of Durham,” Vol. 2, p. 664—1857.) 

Beamish Colliery—This colliery is situated about 8 miles south-south-west of Newcastle.     It was commenced in 1768 by Morton Davison, Esq., from whose family the “Grand Allies” held the lease for many years.   The estate and royalty are now the property of John Eden, Esq. (the heir of the late Morton John Davison, Esq.).   The collieries are worked by Messrs, James Joicey & Co. There are two shafts, at the depth of 65 and 80 fathoms respectively, to the Hutton seam, which is about 3 feet 8 inches thick.   The various engines employed are from 30 to 60 horse power.   A water-wheel was at one time turned by the water drawn by a level from the upper seams, and was used for draining the lower seams; but latterly it was found insufficient for that purpose, and this picturesque piece of machinery has been removed, and on its site a large steam engine has been erected for drawing the water from the whole royalty.   

East Stanley Colliery is in the parish of Tanfield, immediately adjoining the south and west boundary of Beamish royalty; the present working is in the High Main Coal, or Brass thill seam, which is 4 feet 9 inches thick, and at a depth of 56 fathoms.   The royalty belongs to Charles Townley, Esq, and the colliery is worked by Messrs. James Joicey & Co.   From this colliery, and those at Beamish, there is a railway 6 miles tong, which joins the Pontop branch of the North Eastern Railway.   The Coals are shipped at the Tyne Dock, South Shields, and the North and South Docks, Sunderland. 

Twizell Colliery —This colliery is in the chapelry of Pelton, about 4 miles west of Cheater-le-Street, and immediately adjoining the Beamish and East Stanley royalties.   It is now being worked in the Hutton seam, at a depth of about 60 fathoms, by Messrs. James Joicey & Co., to whom also the royalty of the mine belongs.   The Coals are led down the Pontop branch of the North Eastern Railway, and shipped at the Tyne Dock, South Shields, and North and South Docks, Sunderland. 

West Pelton and Handen Hold Collieries —These collieries are situated about 8 miles to the west of Chester-le-Street, and contiguous to the Pontop branch of the North Eastern Railway, and have recently been opened out by the Messrs. Joicey.   There are two pits sunk to the Hutton seam, at a depth of from 60 to 70 fathoms; the seam of Coal is 8 feet 10 inches to 4 feet thick.   There is a pumping engine of 80 horse power, and two winding engines of 40 horse power each.   The Coals, which are used for the manufacture of gas, are known in the market as West Pelton and Whitehall.   The royalty belongs to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.

The 1st Baron James Joicey (1846 - 1936), nephew of
James Joicey who established the Joicey coal empire
(National Portrait Gallery)

The Joiceys appear repeatedly in the text - read about Jimmy Joicey, the world's biggest coal owner.   TR intends to erect a Joicey name board on ET carriage shed, which is on the site of Joicey's East Tanfield Colliery brickworks.