© Pembrokeshire County Council
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This leaflet should be used as an introduction to the topic only. It is not
a definitive guide to the records held in this office, nor does it presume
to list all categories of record that may be useful but that are not located
in this office.
Cover illustration: Bonville’s Court Colliery [Ref. HDX/933/35]
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Coal-mining in Pembrokeshire
The Pembrokeshire coal field stretches across the centre of the county from
Saundersfoot in the east to St Brides Bay in the west. It produced anthracite
coal of the very finest quality having a very high carbon content and thus burnt
very brightly yet giving off little smoke. Unfortunately the coal seams were
mostly thin, plagued by fault lines and with the best coal only found at
considerable depth.
Coal mining in Pembrokeshire was already underway by the early 14th century
and would continue until the closure of the last mine in 1950. As well as being
used locally, the coal was extensively exported by sea to other parts of Britain
and abroad.
In addition to coal, culm was also produced in large amounts. Culm was tiny,
dusty shattered fragments of coal and so had little financial value. It could,
however, be mixed with clay and straw and rolled into balls to provide fuel for
slow burning domestic fires. These culm fires were essential to keep the
damp from the many earthen-walled local dwellings in the wet Pembrokeshire
climate.
On searchroom shelves
“Coal, Culm and Cresswell Quay” by M R C Price in “The Journal of the
Pembrokeshire Historical Society”, number 6, 1994/1995
“The Coal Industry in Pembrokeshire” by George Edwards
“The Description of Pembrokeshire” by George Owen
“Old Saundersfoot” by Roscoe Howells
“Industrial Saundersfoot” by M R C Price
“Pembrokeshire – the forgotten coalfield” by M R C Price
“Report of the Pembrokeshire Coal Fields” by George Price & Dr R H Blundell
“The Story of Saundersfoot” by T G Stickings
“Where the River Bends” edited by R Howells
Printed sources
Articles and photographs on Hook Colliery in Pembrokeshire Magazine
numbers 19, 22 – 28, 1984
Western Telegraph Almanac 1948 – Article on the future of Hook Colliery
Western Telegraph ‘Then and Now’ no. 605 (2 parts), 9 November 1994, on
mining and iron-making in the Saundersfoot area
Western Telegraph newspaper
28 May 1924 1844 Landshipping disaster
25 May 1929, 1, 15, 22, August 1929, 1 May 1930
The last days and closure of Bonvilles Court Colliery
19 July 1934 Broom and Hook Collieries
16 April 1936 The “Bulldog” locomotive at Saundersfoot
28 May 1936 Loveston Colliery disaster
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St Issells / Begelly / Reynalton / Carew / East Williamston area
D/ALLEN/5/38
D/ALLEN/5/118
D/ALLEN/5/271 & 280
D/CAR/38
D/CAR/69
D/CAR/70
D/CAR/79
D/CAR/118
D/CAR/119
D/CAR/120
D/EE/7/34
D/EE/7/36
D/EE/7/44
D/EE/7/46 & 49
D/EE/7/47
D/EE/7/51
D/EE/7/96
D/EE/7/117
D/EE/7/122 & 123
D/EE/7/293
D/EE/7/292
D/EE/7/294
D/EE/7/295 – 297
D/EE/7/298
D/EE/7/299
D/EE/7/300
D/EE/7/304 & 305
D/LEW/7/892
D/POW/H/97 & 98
D/POW/H/107 & 108
D/POW/H/109 – 111
D/POW/H/122
D/POW/H/224
D/RTM/6/94
D/RTP/SUM/2/15
D/RTP/PIC/822
Lease re coal mines at Jeffreston
1767
Lease re Llandygwinnet/Greenway collieries 1806
Conveyances re coal mines at Loveston 1842-1852
Lease of Carew Colliery
1756
Lease of coal mines near East Williamston
1839
Lease of coal mines at Wooden
1841
Deed re mines, etc, including Morton, Broadmoor,
Thomas Chapel and Shipping collieries.
1876
Accounts from Grove Colliery
1796
Accounts of Freestone Colliery
1797–1809
Account of sales of culm at Cantons Leat
1799
Lease of Masterlands Colliery
1791
Lease of coal and culm at Begelly
1792
Lease of coal and culm under Bickering Moor 1805
Lease of collieries at Jeffreston
1806
Lease of Masterlands Colliery
1806
Lease of ground at Loveston for construction of
reservoir for the engine at Reynalton Colliery 1810
Draft agreement re coal/culm at Jeffreston
1898
Lease of coal/culm at Begelly
1914
Lease of coal/culm at Begelly and Reynalton 1935
Letters re mineral working at Begelly and
Reynalton
1873-1895
Letter re coal measures at Reynalton, Begelly and
Jeffreston
1866
Notice of sale of Reynalton Colliery plant
1904
Correspondence re Reynalton Colliery
1905
Report on New Reynalton Colliery Co.
1914
Memorandum re Reynalton Colliery
1905
Leases, etc, re New Reynalton Anthracite Colliery
Co.
1914–1921
Details of the extent of Reynalton coal field C20th
Assignment of shares in Tenby and Begelly Coal
Co.
1833
Cresswell Colliery accounts
1826–1827
Jeffreston Colliery accounts
1785–1786
Langdon Colliery accounts
1808, 1818–1819
Reynalton Colliery accounts
1818
Account for sale of timber to Reynalton Colliery
1813
Lease of veins of coal, culm and ironstone at
Pentlepoir
1864
Lease of minerals at Amroth, Begelly, East
Williamston and St Issells
1938
Papers re dispute over rights to Ridgeway Colliery
1826
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D/RTP/PIC/836
D/RTP/RBP/2/114
D/RTP/RBP/3/23
D/RTP/ RBP/4/1
D/RTP/RBP/5/68
D/RTP/RBP/6/45
D/RTP/RBP/6/71
D/RTP/RBP/6/73 & 76
D/RTP/RBP/6/77
D/RTP/RBP/6/79
D/RTP/RBP/6/81
D/RTP/RBP/8/17
D/RTP/WCA/6/22
FG vol.18 p.189 MF 188
HDX/99/8
HDX/159/19/3
HDX/899/1 & 2
HDX/951
Q12/76
HDX/933
Report on minerals and correspondence re
Bonvilles Court Colliery Company
1930–1934
Royalty account for Kilgetty and Lower Level
Collieries
1837
Case of Lord Milford in the matter of the Kilgetty
Colliery for the opinion of Mr Holroyd
c.1815
Lease re Robert Bateman and Daniel David for
mines, etc, beneath Great Killanow, Little Merrixton
and Coomshill
1808
Lease of mines around Saundersfoot
1826
Depositions taken at Saundersfoot re alleged
encroachments by Chas Callen on colliery of
Daniel David
1824
Correspondence with Saundersfoot and Tenby
Colliery Co. about rents and royalties 1877–1878
Accounts for Thomas Chapel Colliery
1851
Particulars of purchases at Thomas Chapel Colliery
sale
1851
Terms for letting Thomas Chapel Colliery to the
Pembrokeshire Iron and Coal Company
1852
Letter reporting on the state of Kilgetty and Lower
Level collieries and giving an opinion regarding
Captain Stephenson the mineral agent
1850
Lease of coal and culm veins at Kilgetty and Lower
Level collieries
1835
Lease of a colliery “under the Glebe lands” at
Jeffreston
1829
Case and opinion re colliery at Vatson
1745
Lease re Newback Vein, Jeffreston
1774
Photograph of Mr C R Vickerman and Mr Mire,
manager of Bonvilles Court Colliery
c.1900
Photographs of ruins of Pembrokeshire Iron and
Coal Co. Works at Stepaside
1970
Begelly and Tenby Coal Co. ledger
1825–1833
Correspondence re coal shipments from
Saundersfoot
1930s
th
Includes images of coal industry
20 century
Coedcanlas / Martletwy area
D/LLO/1-2
HDX/143/1
Sale particulars, title deeds and related papers re
Landshipping Colliery
1856
Reports, letters and copy lease re minerals on
Landshipping estate
1863–1895
5
Hook and Freystrop area
D/ALLEN/1/31
Instructions re Furzey Park Colliery and other coal
and culm workings
c.1800
D/EE/7/61 & 62
Lease re coal and culm at Hook
1836
D/EE/7/63
Lease re coal and culm at Hook
1838
D/EE/7/67
Lease of mines at Freystrop and Llangwm
1844
D/EE/7/79-80
Lease of minerals at Llangwm with map and
schedule
1881
D/EE/7/98
Lease of coal and culm at Llangwm
1900
D/EE/7/250
Memorandum re Hook Colliery
1876
D/EE/7/251
Memorandum re Hook Colliery
1883-1884
D/EE/7/252
Reports of Hook Colliery Company
1913–1939
D/EE/7/255
Letter and production figures for Hook Colliery
1905–1907
D/EE/7/256
Memorandum on developments at Hook Colliery
early 20th century
D/EE/7/257
Letter regarding Hook Colliery
1884
D/EE/7/258 & 259
Letters regarding Hook Colliery Co.
1885
D/EE/7/260
Papers, etc, re Hook Colliery
c.1883
D/EE/7/261
Letter re Hook Colliery Co.
1921
D/EE/7/262
Letter and production statistics from Hook Colliery
1921
D/EE/7/263
Letter regarding Hook Colliery
1933
D/EE/7/265 – 274
Hook Colliery accounts
1873–1916
D/EE/7/275 – 286
Receipts re Hook Colliery Co.
1872–1884
D/EE/7/287
Paying-in book of Hook Colliery Co.
1883–1884
D/EE/7/288
Valuation, list of tenants, etc, of Hook Colliery Co.
1884
D/EE/7/289
Home Office circular re Hook Colliery Co.
1917
D/HR/9
Photograph album of Hook Colliery
1912–1928
D/HR/10
Hook Colliery correspondence and papers
1912
D/HR/12
Hook Colliery letter book
1884–1889
D/HR/13
Hook Colliery notes and suggestions
1947
D/HR/20, 22, 25, 27, 28, 31 – 33, 35 – 37, 39, 40
Plans and sections of Hook Colliery
1928-1948
D/POW/H/100 – 106, 226 Hook Colliery accounts
1819-1827
D/RTM/13/46
Letter re alleged mismanagement at Hook Colliery
1883
D/RTM/HPO/255
Correspondence, sale particulars of plant, etc, at
Hook Colliery
1900
D/RTM/HPO/289
Particulars of persons receiving pensions from
Hook Colliery Company
1885
D/RTM/HPO/290
Hook Colliery royalty accounts
1885–1891
D/RTM/HPO/291 – 292 Report on Hook Colliery seams, wayleave charges
1886
D/RTM/HPO/293
Output returns of Hook and Nash Collieries
1887–1990
6
D/RTM/HPO/294
D/RTP/LM/2
D/RTP/MOTE/50
D/RTP/MOTE/75 & 76
HAV BOR 1281
HDX/2/2
HDX/2/5
HDX/57/31
HDX/155/9
HDX/713/3
Lease of cottage in Llangwm on behalf of Hook
Colliery Company
c1800s
Papers relating to Hook Colliery Anthracite Co.
1920 – 1938
Correspondence re Freystrop Colliery Co. Ltd, re
sale of plant and struggle to find merchantable coal
1912 – 1913
Correspondence re minerals under the Williamston
Estate
1936–1938
Lease to work coal and culm in Portfield, Furzey
Close and Maudlens Hill, Haverfordwest 1717/18
Plans and sections of Little Milford Colliery
1854
Microfilm of leases, correspondence, etc, re
Freystrop Colliery
1753–1825
Agreement to search for coal and culm in the
parishes of Steynton and Walwyn’s Castle
1851
Sale particulars of coal and culm veins, part of
Little Milford Estate
1882
Will bequeathing coal mines, etc, at Freystrop and
Hook
1776
Nolton, Roch and St Brides Bay area
DB/16/131
D/HIG/36
D/HIG/50
D/HIG/51
D/HR/1
D/HR/6
HDX/467/31
HDX/467/32
HDX/467/33 – 46
HDX/467/47
HDX/467/48
HDX/467/49 – 51
HDX/467/52
HDX/467/53 – 66
HDX/467/67 – 69
HDX/467/71
HDX/467/72
Sale particulars of Simsons Colliery
1836
Lease of Folkestone Colliery
1840
Colliers wages and accounts for Nolton Haven
Level and Folkestone Collieries and culm
shipments from Nolton
1844–1849
Accounts of Folkestone Colliery
1848–1849
Treatise on the Nolton / Newgale coal field
1946
Treatise on the Nolton / Newgale coalfield
1948
Roch Estate coal and culm account
1841–1848
Roch Estate culm account
1850–1872
Roch Estate accounts of colliers
1845–1876
Roch Estate servants and colliers wages ledger
1849–1879
Roch Estate customers ledger
1851-1881
Roch Estate accounts re work at Engine Pit,
Southwood and Gouts Collieries
1859–1880
Roch Estate payments to colliers and labourers
1863–1865
Roch Estate (Southwood and Gouts Collieries)
accounts
1864–1882
Roch Estate customers ledgers
1874–1882
Lease of coal seams at Southwood and use of the
engine
1860s
Roch Estate colliery accounts and correspondence
1861 – 1923
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HDX/467/73
HDX/467/74
HDX/467/77
Drawing of a flywheel
1873
Roch Estate papers, including winding up of the
colliery business
1891–1913
Roch Estate correspondence re lease of mineral
rights at Trefrane
1912–1914
Pembrokeshire coalfield – various sites
DB/13/110
D/EE/7/254
D/EE/7/302
D/EE/7/306
D/EE/7/338
D/LLO/1 & 2
D/LLO/4
D/POW/H/83 – 122
D/POW/H/123 – 143
D/POW/H/147
D/POW/H/159 – 232
D/RTM/HPO/255
D/RTM/HPO/295 – 296
D/RTP/5/41/2
FG Vol.20 p.255 MF189
HDX/238/1
HDX/467/77
HDX/928/1
HDX/1159/6
PQ/C/1/5
Sale particulars for Landshipping Colliery and
mining rights in Reynalton, Begelly, Jeffreston and
Burton
1857
Report on production figures for Hook and
Bonvilles Court Collieries
1919–1921, 1930
Miscellaneous correspondence, leases, plans and
accounts re Reynalton and Hook Collieries
1900–1936
Valuation of coal at Hook, Reynalton, Jeffreyston
and Begelly
1934
Map book of the Harcourt Powell Estate
1777
Sale particulars, deeds, etc, Landshipping and
Hook Collieries
1856
Sale particulars re Landshipping Colliery and mines
in Reynalton
1857
Colliery accounts
1770–1827
Colliery accounts and receipts
1782-1787
Colliery accounts
1785-1787
Correspondence and accounts, etc. 1759 – 1828
Memorandum re veins at Hook Colliery and mineral
rights in Begelly
1883
Accounts of colliery royalties
1905–1910
Schedule of creditors of Bowen and Whittow who
had worked Freystrop (Little Milford) Colliery and
Nolton Colliery
1846
Will of Sir Hugh Owen of Orielton, with reference to
coal mines in Coedcanlas and Freystrop
1671
Particulars of the Harcourt Powell Estate in
Pembrokeshire
1778
Correspondence re leasing of mineral rights at
Treffgarne and building of pier at Nolton
1912–1914
Map of Hook Anthracite Colliery properties at Hook
and Nolton
c.1929
Sale particulars of Landshipping and Hook
Collieries
1856
Draft deeds including leases of collieries in
Llangwm, Morton, East Williamston, St Issells,
Reynalton and Haroldston
1786–1801
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Coalmining – general
D/EE/7/307
D/EE/7/308
HDX/1428/16
HDX/159/43
PCC/ED/16/39 – 41
T/AMP/4
“The Law Relating to Mines Under the Coal Mines
Act 1911”
1914
“Miners (Working Facilities and Support) Act” 1923
O.S. 1 inch geological maps
1839-1843
Pembrokeshire section of Employment of Children
Report (Franks Report). [Includes descriptions of
working practices in Pembrokeshire]
1841
Files on the proposed creation of the miners
education scheme in the county
1924–1925
O.S. 6 inch sheets identifying mine shaft locations
c.1908
Please also look through the record office’s indices for related subject
matter, e.g. under the heading “Minerals:Coal”.
USEFUL WEBSITE
www.ex.ac.uk
Mines in Pembrokeshire and adjacent areas
USEFUL ADDRESSES
National Library of Wales, Penglais, Aberystwyth, SY23 3BU
Tel. 01970 632800
Email [email protected]
- especially Picton Castle papers
South Wales Coalfield Archive, University of Wales Swansea, Singleton Park,
Swansea, SA2 8PP
Tel. 01792 205678
Email [email protected]
Revised 2004
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