Out Of The Blue Artifacts A Library of a lifetime of collecting
The Penybont Tillery Colliery.
In 1846, the sinking of the Penybont Tillery Colliery under the ownership of Messrs T. P. and D. Price of Brecon began on the Greenmeadow Estate, Penybont, Abertillery, owned by Mr Stothert of Bath. The colliery took the name of the farm, Penybont Farm, that was located near-by, which was taken by the company to be able to sink the colliery. The farm was located by the original stone footbridge that spanned the Tyleri Stream.
Messrs T. P. Price & D. Price Esq.
Messrs Price were, Mr Thomas Protheroe Price and his brother Mr David Price, bankers and merchants of Brecon, Wales. The brothers owned the colliery and acquired many small coal levels in the vicinity of the colliery. They worked alongside Messrs Conway and Pearce, owners of the Abertillery Tin Works, Messrs Thomas and James Brown iron masters of Blaina and Sir Thomas Phillips the ex-mayor of Newport during the Chartist uprising in setting up a reading room at Abertillery to help educate the workforce in the district.
Agent and Mining Engineer.
Mr Matthew Habakkuk was the underground surveyor and engineer in charge during its sinking and underground development.
Mr Matthew Habakkuk – Agent and Mining Engineer.
Mr Matthew Habakkuk was born on the 26th of March 1790 at Llangyfelach, Swansea, Glamorganshire, South Wales, the son of John Habakkuk II and Margaret Habakkuk nee Thomas of Llangyfelach, Swansea.
Following is a Link to – Matthew Habakkuk Family History.
Mr Daniel Williams (Sinker).
In September 1849 during its sinking, Mr Daniel Williams (Pit Sinker and Engineer) fell 240′ feet down the Penybont Tillery Colliery. Luckily there was some water at the bottom which seemed to have broken his fall, he was laid up for a few weeks though recovered fully and he was back in work shortly afterwards. The report stated that a few years earlier, Mr Williams had fell 90′ feet down a pit at Abersychan.
The Sinking.
On Saturday 30th of November 1850, the Silurian newspaper reported on the sinking of the Penybont Colliery – Messrs T. P. & D. Price had, after four long years, completed the sinking of the Penybont Tillery Collieries.
The Monmouthshire Merlin newspaper also stated they had reached the Steam Coal seam. The workmen were given a celebrational dinner held at the Bridgend Inn and the same for the colliers at the White Horse Inn, the Bush Inn was the venue for the sinkers and mechanics and Messrs Price’s family and friends were entertained at Mr Cardy’s Oddfellows Arms, Abertillery.
Mr T. Dyne Steel.
On Saturday 29th of January 1859, the Star of Gwent newspaper stated that Mr Thomas Dyne Steel C.E., of Newport, formerly of Uskside Iron Works, Newport was appointed by the trustees of Mr T. P. Price at the Abertillery Collieries.
Mr David Llewellyn Esq.
On Saturday 12th of March 1859, the Star of Gwent newspaper stated that the pits of Messrs T. P. & D. Price were put under the management of Mr David Llewellyn Esq, Civil and Mining Engineer.
Mr John Zeal – Shaft Diver at the Penybont Tillery Colliery.
The following is a report from an engineering item written by Mr T. Dyne Steel, M.E. a shareholder and engineer who had connections with of the Penybont Tillery Colliery in the 1860’s. This article is from the Devonshire Journal, dated December 1865, it states that Mr T. Dyne Steel has employed a Shaft Diver at the Penybont Tillery Colliery, Abertillery to dive into flooded shafts and fix the underwater pumps “on site”. The diver employed is Mr John Zeale.
Mr Zeale also worked for the Newport Docks Company, he was reported as being as “brave as a lion” and “works underwater fixing and repairing pipes and pumps in complete darkness as fast and efficient as any surface fitter in a workshop”. Mr John Zeale was from Croyde, North Devon and was also employed at many of the Abertillery pits when needed. Mr Zeale was married to Mrs Ann Zeal, nee Hooper from Cowbridge, they later lived at 2 Clarence Street, Newport while still working for the Newport Dock Co.
Messrs Bevan and Brewer 1863 – 1864.
In 1863 Messrs Bevan and Brewer took over the workings under lease.
Messrs G. P. Bevan & Co 1864 – 1864.
In 1864 Mr G. P. Bevan & Co leased and run the Penybont Tillery Collieries.
The Death of Mr Thomas Protheroe Price.
In 1864 Mr Thomas Protheroe Price sadly passed away.
Messrs G. E. Bevan & Co 1864-1868.
In 1864 Messrs G. E. Bevan & Co of Northampton, Hereford and Bristol took over the Penybont Tillery Collieries. Messrs G. E. Bevan & Co leased and run the collieries. In 1863 Messrs G. E. Bevan (Northampton, Hereford and Bristol) leased the Golynos Works and sold the same works in 1867.
In 1863 Messrs Jayne and Meadhouse converted a part of the Llanelli Works into a tin plate manufactory.
In 1870 Messrs Jayne and Co consisted of Mr John Jayne, Mr Richard and Mr Samuel Harvey Twining, Bankers, The Strand, Middlesex.
Messrs Jayne & Co.
In 1868 the Penybont Tillery Collieries were working under the name of Messrs Jayne.
Mr John Jayne, Mr Basil Jayne and Mr George Finlay.
In 1869 the Penybont Tillery Collieries were owned by Mr John Jayne, Mr Basil Jayne and Mr George Finlay.
Mr John Jayne – 1868-1873.
Mr John Jayne J.P. for the county of Breconshire and also the High Sheriff for the county in 1872. Mr John Jayne was born in 1804 at Blaenavon. At an early age he entered into the services of Twining & Co, Bankers and Tea Merchants of London. He later managed the provision stores of the Clydach Iron Company for several years then moved on to undertake a similar job at the Nantyglo Iron Works, though on a larger scale.
In 1856 Mr John Jayne became a director of the Monmouthshire Wagon Company with Mr M. Morrison and Mr Crawshay Bailey etc.
In 1858 Mr Jayne became a director of the Merthyr and Abergavenny Railway Co along with Mr Crawshay Bailey etc. After he retired, he went on to become the chief proprietor of the Milfrean Hill and Abertillery Collieries.
Brynmawr Coal Company 1873 – 1877.
The Brynmawr Coal Company was set up in 1873 by Mr Basil Jayne. Mr Basil Jayne was the son of Mr John Jayne and became chairman of the newly set-up Brynmawr Coal Company, this new company was set up to acquire all the mining assets from Mr John Jayne and purchased both the Milfrean and Tillery Collieries.
The Brynmawr Coal Company 1873.
The Directors – Mr John Henry Benham Esq (Stafford House, Camden Road London); Mr J. W. Dixon Esq (West Lodge, Clapham Common); Mr W. H. Forester (Sketty Park, Swansea) Iron Master; Mr Thomas Greatrex Esq (Farmwood, Newport) Director of the Monmouthshire Railway; Mr W. E. Jayne Esq (Danybont House, Abergavenny) and Lord William Phipps (Mulgrave Castle, Whitby):
Managing Director – Mr Basil Jayne Esq (Pant-y-Baliea House Abergavenny):
Bankers – Twining Tea and Company (215 The Strand, London); The National Provincial Bank of England, London and Abergavenny:
Solicitors – Messrs Tilleard, Godden and Holme (34 Old Jewry, London):
Brokers – Messrs Moore and Greatrex (17 Throgmorten Street, London):
Secretary – James Fraser (7 Bank Buildings, Lothbury, London):
Offices – Brynmawr, South Wales:
Mr Basil Jayne and Co.
In 1877 the Brynmawr Coal Company was wound up and Mr Basil Jayne and Co purchased the Penybont Tillery Collieries in their own right.
The Brooklyn Steamer.
On Friday 6th of May 1881, the steamer “The Brooklyn” of the Dominion Line made a fast crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in just seven days. It had departed from Quebec and on its arrival at Liverpool it was reported that it was using Messrs Jayne’s Tillery Steam Coal Company coal.
Mr Thomas Wilde Powell of the Powell’s Tillery Steam Coal Company 1882-1897.
In 1882 Mr Thomas Wilde Powell took over the company and formed the Powell’s Tillery Steam Coal Company, the colliery was thereafter known as Powell’s Tillery Colliery. Mr Thomas Wilde Powell, was a solicitor, philanthropist, banker, broker and art collector etc, lived in Piccards Rough, Guildford, Surrey, England. His wife was Mary Elizabeth Powell nee Marten. In 1884 Mr Powell paid for the erection the Tillery Reading Rooms, Abertillery and was also instrumental in having the Powell’s Tillery Institute built in April 1898, though sadly died in January 1897 before its completion. Mr Powell had an estate in Western Australia and left a personal estate that was valued at £195,508, 5s. 9d. the equivalent to £11.407.763 in today’s money.
Heseltine, Powell & Co. Stockbrokers.
At the time of his death, Mr T. W. Powell was in the company of Heseltine, Powell & Co. Stockbrokers.
The Powell Family.
Mr Charles Marten Powell. Mr Charles Marten Powell, son, a surgeon.
Mr Thomas Edmund Powell.
Mr Thomas Edmund Powell, son, a stockbroker. Mr T. E. Powell later became the director of Powell’s Tillery Company from the time of his father death in 1897. Mr Powell opened the Powell’s Tillery Institute along with his sister Christiana Herringham in 1898. Mr Thomas Edmund Powell died in 1901.
Mr Herbert A. Powell.
Mr Herbert A. Powell, son, a doctor. Mr Herbert A. Powell took over the directorship of the company after the death of his brother Mr T. E. Powell 1901. Mr H. A. Powell opened the Tillery Institute Gymnasium, Abertillery in 1902, he was presented with a gold key by the architect with which to open the gymnasium.
Lady Christiana Herringham.
Lady Christiana Herringham, nee Powell, daughter, (1852-1929) married physician, Sir Wilmot Parker Herringham K.C.M.G. C.B. (1855-1936) in 1880.
Lady Christiana Herringham was a prominent painter. Christiana opened the Powell’s Tillery Institute, Abertillery, along with her brother Mr Thomas Edmund Powell in 1898, she was presented with a golden key by the architect with which to open the institute.
Mr Powell’s other children were – Miss Eleanor Grace Powell; Miss Rosamond Powell; Miss Agnes Powell; Miss Theodora Powell and Mrs Mary Elizabeth Turner.
Mrs Mary Elizabeth Turner nee Powell, daughter, was married to Mr Hugh Thackeray Turner (Architect, China Painter) – Their daughter Ruth Turner married Mr George Leigh-Mallory (Mountain Climber).
Following is a Link to – The Story of the Powell Family.
The Gray and the Vivian Collieries.
In 1889 the Powell’s Tillery Company began sinking the Gray and Vivian Collieries. After these collieries started producing coal a tunnel was driven from the Vivian Colliery close to Six Bells, up to the Gray Colliery, north of Abertillery and onto the Penybont Colliery, linking the three together for ventilation purposes. The tunnel was driven by Mr A. E. Holbrook of Abertillery (See below).
The Colliery Workforce 1896.
In 1896 the Monmouthshire Mining Industry Mining History Society listed the workforce at Penybont Colliery as being 681 men in total working above and below ground.
Ebbw Vale Steel Iron and Coal Co Ltd & T. Beynon and Co Ltd.
In May 1916, negotiations began to acquire the collieries belonging to the Powell’s Tillery Steam Coal Co Ltd by the Ebbw Vale Steel, Iron and Coal Co Ltd & T. Beynon and Co Ltd.
The new directors consisted of Mr J. W. Beynon the head of T. Beynon and Co and the director of the Ebbw Vale Company; Mr Frederick Mills the managing director; Sir Henry Mather Jackson-Bart and Major John Charters Kirk.
The Powell’s Tillery Steam Coal Company Ltd had a share capital of £144,006 and a debenture issue of £65,200, The collieries output was about 900,000 tons annually, total value was over half a million sterling. The Powell’s Tillery Company directors were – Col H. A. Powell; Messrs E. Heseltine; William Newall; W. J. Roch and William Stewart (Managing Director); would retire. The Ebbw Vale Co were to take over the management of these collieries.
The Ebbw Vale Company Takeover.
On Friday 30th of June 1916, the collieries belonging to the Powell’s Tillery Steam Coal Co Ltd were finally acquired by the Ebbw Vale Steel, Iron and Coal Co Ltd & T. Beynon and Co Ltd (as seen right). The new directors consisted of Mr J. W. Beynon the head of T. Beynon and Co and the director of the Ebbw Vale Company; Mr Frederick Mills (Managing Director); Sir Henry Mather Jackson-Bart; and Major John Charters Kirk.
The new directors consisted of Mr J. W. Beynon the head of T. Beynon and Co and the director of the Ebbw Vale Company; Mr Frederick Mills (Managing Director); Sir Henry Mather Jackson Bart; and Major John Charters Kirk.
The Colliery Workforce 1923.
In 1923 the Monmouthshire Mining Industry Mining History Society, listed the workforce at Penybont Colliery as being 1010 men in total working above and below ground.
Colliery Workforce 1928.
In 1928, 1,000 men were employed at the Penybont Colliery.
The Cage Incident.
On Friday 22nd of February 1929, the Western Daily Express reported on an incident at the Penybont Colliery, Abertillery. A cage carrying 11 boys and 1 man was descending the 800 yard pit shaft when they were alarmed by a loud hissing noise, as if something was falling down on them. Immediately the cage landed at pit bottom a huge quantity of ice and snow which had become dislodged from the sides of the shaft, crashed down on the top of the cage. Four boys received cuts and bruises. Most of the youngsters were receiving their baptism in underground work and nearly all suffered from shock.
The Closure of the Penybont Colliery.
Throughout the 1920’s most of the collieries in Abertillery suffered financial and economic problems and were closed for many years, only being reopened on a temporary basis when the export markets picked up. In 1928 the Penybont Colliery closed. It was later reopened in 1929, although reports on its future prospects looked gloomy and there are no reports on it producing coal after 1931. There doesn’t seem to be a definite closure date though in 1945 only 13 men were employed at the colliery. It may have been kept open for ventilation or pumping purposes in connection with its combined collieries, the Vivian and the Gray.
Colliery Workforce in 1945.
In 1945 only 13 men were employed at the Penybont Colliery.
The Colliery Location.
Henley’s Bus Company depot now occupies the site where the Penybont Colliery was located.
Following is a Link to – A List of Fatalities at the Penybont Colliery.
Points of Interest –
Mr Albert Edwin Holbrook.
Mr Albert Edwin Holbrook was a colliery contractor and tunneller. Mr Holbrook was from Somerset, England and in his youth became an engineer. In the 1870’s Mr Holbrook was engaged on the building of the Severn Railway Bridge which he did all his work from a diving-bell. He later worked on erecting Cleopatra’s Needle on the River Thames embankment. Once a pleasure steamer sank on the Thames and he was the diver employed on its salvage work. In the late 1870’s – 1880’s he went on to work on driving the Severn Tunnel.
In later years he showed great knowledge in the South Wales Coalfield and became one of the top pit contractors in the Western Valley’s. He was engaged in sinking or shaft deepening operations in many of the pits in the area. He came to Abertillery and lived at Cromwell Street, he deepened the Rose Heyworth Colliery to the deeper seams and drove the connection from the Gray to the Vivian Colliery (as stated). He was a founding member, number 58 at the Liberal and Labour Club, Abertillery. Before Mr Holbrook died in 1934 at the age of seventy-eight, he lived at 38 Victoria Street, Blaenau Gwent.
(More information to come).