Pelton Colliery

1857 - A boring was put down from the thill of the Busty Seam at Pelton Colliery, proving the Brockwell and lower seams.

1867 - The North Pit, Pelton Colliery, sunk from the surface to the Busty Seam.

1893 - A boring was put down at Pelton Colliery below the thill of the Busty Seam, proving the Brockwell Seam too thin to work.

1905 - Five Quarter, Main Coal seams abandoned - coal exhausted

Adams, J. A., 10 Feb 1944, aged 47, Shifter, struck by wagons

Anderson, Anthony, 29 Oct 1906, aged 29, Fitter, He was repairing some machinery, and when stepping to cross an open hatchway he slipped and fell 21 ft. to the ground beneath. His skull was broken.

Anderson, John, 31 Oct 1866, 5:30 a.m., aged 18, Wood Leader, killed in the 1866 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), single, residence: Pelaw Houses [More information ...]

Anderson, Ralph Young, 20 Apr 1885, aged 16, Driver, while assisting at the bottom of a drop staple he fell under the descending cage and was crushed to death, Buried: Pelton Cemetery

Anderson, Robert, 23 Sep 1895, 4:15 p.m., 1st hour of shift, aged 39, Shifter, head crushed by a fall of stone while preparing to put a baulk in on waggonway

Argyle, Richard, 31 Oct 1866, 5:30 a.m., aged 13, Coupler, killed in the 1866 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), residence: Pit Houses [More information ...]

Bambling, Robert, 12 Mar 1951, aged 63, Buried: Pelton Cemetery

Bambro, John, 11 Mar 1887, (accident: 10 Feb 1887), aged 28, Hewer, severe injury to spine by fall of stone

Barker, T. W., 30 Dec 1867, aged 20, Screener, crushed by waggon near screens

Bateman, Henry, 31 Oct 1866, 5:30 a.m., aged 18, Putter, killed in the 1866 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), single, residence: High Row [More information ...]

Batey, Thomas, 06 Dec 1871, aged 67, Waggonway Man, crushed by tubs

Bell, Edward Robinson, May 1954, aged 51, Stoneman, fell to his death - "evidence was given that while waiting with other workmen for the cage to go down the pit to start work, he jumped up, drew the bolt of the shaft gate, swung the gate open, and stepped into the shaft"

Bell, Jonathan, 31 Oct 1866, 5:30 a.m., aged 19, Hewer, killed in the 1866 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), single, residence: Dove Cottage [More information ...]

Bell, William, 27 Jan 1898, aged 56, Back Overman, while at work in the pit he was noticed writing in his pocket book, and was shortly afterwards found quite dead; the doctor certified that he died from a stroke

Best, Joseph, 11 Jul 1871, aged 15, Putter, killed by a fall of stone

Bewick, Richard, 17 Feb 1915, aged 27, Onsetter, crushed

Blackett, George, 08 Sep 1885, aged 21, Hewer, fall of stone in a loose end jud which had just been holed

Briggs, John, 30 May 1877, aged 13, Driver, he climbed up a fencing to look over at a tail rope wheel which was in motion, when his head was caught by its spokes, which killed him

Briggs, William, 14 May 1880, aged 19, Putter, head crushed between top of tub and a plank

Brown, James, 14 Aug 1862, aged 13, Branch Lad, killed by waggons on pit branches of surface railway

Brown, Richard, 01 May 1900, aged 55, Deputy, While drawing timber out of an old flat in the Busty Seam a fall of stone from roof took place and killed him.

Brown, Roger, 31 Oct 1866, 5:30 a.m., aged 39, Hewer, killed in the 1866 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), married, residence: Club Row [More information ...]

Carr, John, 16 Sep 1893, aged 18, Incline Boy, Alleged to have received an accident by falling. A post-mortem examination showed that death was caused by exhaustion from typhoid ulcers of the intestines.

Carr, Michael, 10 Dec 1890, aged 48, Hewer, fall of stone from two slips in a broken jud next to the goaf

Carter, John, 31 Oct 1866, 5:30 a.m., aged 52, Hewer, killed in the 1866 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), wife and four children, residence: The Owlet [More information ...]

Charlton, William, 31 Oct 1866, 5:30 a.m., aged 20, Hewer, killed in the 1866 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), single, residence: Pit Houses [More information ...]

Clark, Charles, 23 Nov 1866, aged 29, Hewer, crushed by tub

Colledge, William, 17 Apr 1926, (accident: 13 Apr 1926), aged 15, Driver, crushed between a tub and a baulk

Connelly, James, 20 Apr 1865, aged 35, Hewer, fall of stone, working shift work

Cook, George, 31 Oct 1866, 5:30 a.m., aged 22, Putter, killed in the 1866 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), residence: Pit Houses [More information ...]

Cowell, William, 12 Jan 1866, aged 17, Putter, killed by tubs in engine plane when riding contrary to orders, and to a printed rule or notice; arising from a collision [More information ...]

Crammond, William, 07 Dec 1927, aged 58, Deputy, killed by a fall of stone while setting timber, address: Newfield

Cullen, James, 24 Jan 1907, aged 14, Driver, when driving between the rope-end and the flat, he caught his head against a baulk and had his skull fractured, Buried: Ropery Lane Cemetery, Chester-le-Street

Curry, Henry, 21 Nov 1908, aged 40, Deputy, he and his marrow were drawing a jud in the Busty Seam; he had nicked a prop, when he heard the roof working, and was in the act of retreating when a fall of about six tons came away on top of him from a series of clean smooth slips in the roof and killed him, Buried: Pelton Cemetery

Curry, John Thomas, 28 Nov 1905, aged 41, Filler, electric shock when carrying a portable electric lamp in blacksmith's shop [More information ...]

Curry, Robert, 31 Oct 1866, 5:30 a.m., aged 12, Driver, killed in the 1866 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), residence: Cross Rows [More information ...]

Dawson, Michael, 02 Feb 1939, aged 58, Shifter, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Ropery Lane Cemetery, Chester-le-Street

Dixon, James, 31 Oct 1866, 5:30 a.m., aged 23, Hewer, killed in the 1866 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), married [More information ...]

Dixon, Joseph, 19 May 1865, aged 43, Hewer, crushed by tubs in engine plane

Dodds, Alexander, 16 Mar 1955, aged 38, Buried: Pelton Cemetery

Doxford, Frederick Charles, 21 Dec 1921, aged 15, Conveyor Lad, The lad stayed at Chester-le-Street on work days, and on 3rd Dec. his mother was told that her son was ill, so she brought him home. He told her that he had been struck on the head by a stone while at work in the pit. His condition worsened and he was taken to the Royal Infirmary where he died on 21 Dec. A post mortem showed that death was caused by tubercular meningitis, due to natural causes.

Edwards, James, 26 Feb 1925, (accident: 09 Feb 1925), aged 15, Driver, died from injuries received, Buried: Ropery Lane Cemetery, Chester-le-Street

Elliot, William, 31 Oct 1866, 5:30 a.m., aged 11, Driver, killed in the 1866 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), residence: New Cottages [More information ...]

Felton, William, 31 Oct 1866, 5:30 a.m., aged 11, Coupler, killed in the 1866 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp) [More information ...]

Fenwick, John, 11 May 1888, aged 6, [Not Employed], crushed between two tubs while playing with them near the pit; he had no right to be there

Foster, Joseph, 31 Jan 1919, aged 42, Buried: Pelton Cemetery

Foster, Thomas, 28 Jun 1932, aged 29, Storekeeper, cage fell down shaft, address: Plunkett Terrace, Pelton Fell, father killed in same pit 12 years ago, leaves a young widow, Buried: Ropery Lane Cemetery, Chester-le-Street [More information ...]

Frecker, John, 31 Oct 1866, 5:30 a.m., aged 14, Flat Boy, killed in the 1866 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), residence: Stoddart's Houses [More information ...]

Gee, William, 23 Jun 1897, aged 8, [Not Employed - School boy], He was riding in a spring cart with a man, and when it was crossing over a private railway it was caught by some waggons being shunted into the colliery siding, and this boy was killed

Gilliland, James, 30 Jun 1879, aged 52, Collier, fall of roof while working in a broken lift in Hutton Seam

Gladsome, Joseph, 31 Oct 1866, 5:30 a.m., aged 11, Trapper, killed in the 1866 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), residence: Pit Houses [More information ...]

Gladston, John, 11 Aug 1873, (accident: 10 Jul 1873), aged 24, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone

Gordon, William, 21 Nov 1887, aged 18, Wood Leader, run over by tubs ; while moving them on a bank head he slipped and fell before them

Gower, Walter, 20 Dec 1907, aged 57, Tub-mender, he was found at the foot of a ladder leading on to the pit heap; presumably he had fallen down the ladder; it had two hand rails

Gowland, L., 17 May 1946, aged 19, Datal, killed by a fall of stone

Graham, James, 23 Apr 1866, aged 12, Driver, crushed by tubs; away from his work

Gray, John, 31 Oct 1866, 5:30 a.m., aged 32, Deputy, killed in the 1866 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), single, residence: Chapel Row [More information ...]

Gray, Roger, 02 Jan 1866, aged 14, Driver, killed by tubs in engine plane when riding contrary to orders, and to a printed rule or notice; arising from a collision

Greaves, J. T., 19 Jun 1924, (accident: 19 May 1923), aged 56, Screener, slipped

Guy, Henry, 31 Oct 1866, 5:30 a.m., aged 38, Hewer, killed in the 1866 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), wife and seven children, residence: New Cottages [More information ...]

Hall, T., 29 Dec 1941, (accident: 26 Dec 1941), aged 50, Hewer, inrush of water

Hall, William, 24 Oct 1872, aged 13, Trapper, cage was drawn to pulley, which caused him to fall out - fell to the bottom of the pit

Harrison, Thomas, 12 Jan 1866, aged 14, Flat Keeper, killed by tubs in engine plane when riding contrary to orders, and to a printed rule or notice; arising from a collision [More information ...]

Herring, Matthew, 16 Sep 1868, aged 44, Putter, killed by a fall of stone

Houghton, George, 31 Oct 1866, 5:30 a.m., aged 18, Putter, killed in the 1866 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), residence: Pit Houses [More information ...]

Howey, Robert, 11 Feb 1922, (accident: 09 Feb 1922), aged 44, Hewer, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Pelton Cemetery

Kellett, Thomas, 22 Apr 1864, aged 40, Deputy, fall of stone whilst drawing timber

King, Robert, 31 Oct 1866, 5:30 a.m., aged 18, Putter, killed in the 1866 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), single, residence: Pit Houses [More information ...]

Kirkup, Robert, 26 Jul 1881, aged 30, Hewer, fall of stone from a slip next to face of coal, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Pelton

Laing, George, 16 Apr 1863, aged 12, Shaft Boy, crushed by cage in shaft bottom

Laverick, George, 26 Jun 1905, aged 46, Hewer, a stone came off at a slip and canted out two pairs of gears, and although he tried to get clear he was not quite quick enough, and was caught by the stone and killed, Buried: Pelton Cemetery

Laverick, John, 31 Oct 1866, 5:30 a.m., aged 27, Hewer, killed in the 1866 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), single, residence: New Cottages [More information ...]

Lawson, R. W., 03 Sep 1938, (accident: 31 Aug 1938), aged 31, Cutter, killed by a fall of stone

Leightell, Archbold, 19 Jun 1876, aged 18, Collier, fall of top stone while turning away a place off headways in Low Main seam

Light, Thomas, 02 Jul 1944, aged 41, Stoneman, killed by a fall of stone, Buried: Princess Road Cemetery, Seaham

Long, Walter, 07 Feb 1881, aged 32, Horse Driver, engaged in taking trucks from incline to screens, when he got his foot fast in switch and was run over on his leg and arm, which caused such injuries that he died from shock

Lowery, Christopher Dawson, 29 Mar 1909, aged 44, Deputy, He was drawing a prop near the goaf edge beyond the barrow way timber when a heavy fall took place and killed him, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Pelton

Maddison, Jonathan, 31 Oct 1866, 5:30 a.m., aged 22, Deputy, killed in the 1866 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), wife and one child, residence: Club Row [More information ...]

Matthews, Joseph, 14 Apr 1886, (accident: 12 Apr 1886), aged 36, Hewer, broken back and other injuries from a fall of stone

Miller, John, 28 Apr 1883, aged 19, Small Runner, crushed between small coal apparatus cage and bunton; the tub had got off the way, and he got into the cage to lift it on, when the engine started to lift it

Miller, Thomas, 18 Feb 1885, aged 63, Shifter, knocked down and killed by waggons while crossing line near to pit

Owner, James, 02 Apr 1872, aged 45, Hewer, coal (jud) fell on him

Pigg, George, 14 Nov 1894, 3:10 p.m., 6th hour of shift, aged 58, Deputy, While engaged drawing timber out of an old bord a fall took place which canted out several balks and props, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Pelton

Proctor, George, 28 Mar 1932, (accident: 16 Mar 1932), aged 66, Waggonway Man, struck by girder, died from injuries received, Buried: Ropery Lane Cemetery, Chester-le-Street

Punshon, George, 21 Sep 1868, aged 15, Driver, his feet slipped at bottom of shaft, and he fell into the cage hole and was crushed by the cage

Purves, William, 05 Sep 1894, 5:15 p.m., 8th hour of shift, aged 38, Deputy, He had finished drawing a broken jud, and while examining the outlet a stone fell on to him, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Pelton

Quinn, John, 20 Jul 1876, aged 19, Putter, caught by a tub coming rapidly down a going-bord, he had not time to get out of the way

Redpath, Robert Ashmore, 28 Jun 1932, aged 61, Undermanager, cage fell down shaft, leaves a wife and 10 children, address: Plunkett Terrace, Pelton Fell, Buried: Pelton Cemetery [More information ...]

Richardson, John, 31 Oct 1866, 5:30 a.m., aged 28, Hewer, killed in the 1866 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), wife and two children, residence: New Cottages [More information ...]

Richardson, Margaret, 18 Feb 1906, [Not Employed], poisoned by gases issuing from a burning rubbish heap adjacent to her house.

Robinson, William, 08 Feb 1933, (accident: 13 Oct 1932), aged 22, Putter, fall of stone, died from injuries received, Buried: Ropery Lane Cemetery, Chester-le-Street

Robson, Thomas, 21 Jun 1877, (accident: 07 Jun 1877), aged 36, Collier, leg broken and otherwise injured by jud falling on him while holing, having neglected to sprag it

Roe, T., 16 Sep 1950, (accident: 03 Dec 1945), aged 58, Stoneman, pneumoconiosis

Sewell, William, 09 Nov 1916, aged 14, Pony Driver, On Thursday afternoon, 9th November, while working in the Five Quarter seam, he was crushed between two full tubs and a prop. He had been taking a full set down an incline without dregs and was sitting on the limbers, when the set ran amain

Shaw, James, 22 Apr 1955, aged 43, Buried: Ropery Lane Cemetery, Chester-le-Street

Shewalls, Thomas, 12 May 1870, aged 15, Driver, crushed by tubs

Shotton, Frank, 12 Jan 1866, aged 12, Driver, killed by tubs in engine plane when riding contrary to orders, and to a printed rule or notice; arising from a collision [More information ...]

Simpson, John, 31 Oct 1866, 5:30 a.m., aged 22, Hewer, killed in the 1866 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), single, residence: New Cottages [More information ...]

Smiles, John, 23 Feb 1903, aged 23, Hewer, a fall of stone, with glassy slips all round it, from roof killed him, Buried: Pelton Cemetery

Smith, R. W., 07 Feb 1942, aged 20, Putter, killed by a fall of stone

Strachan, William, 08 Jan 1902, aged 15, Driver, he was leading a new pony, and in trying to stop it was caught by the end of the limbers and crushed against a prop, died the following day

Strong, Matthew, 21 Sep 1883, (accident: 17 Sep 1883), aged 14, Driver, arm broken and other bruises by being run over by a set of tubs

Summers, Jonah, 21 Feb 1921, aged 53, Filler, killed by a fall of stone

Surtees, Edward, 28 Jul 1916, aged 48, he was killed when a large stone fell from the roof, he had just returned to work on the 18th after a slight accident on 29th June

Taylor, John, 31 Oct 1866, 5:30 a.m., aged 41, Hewer, killed in the 1866 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), wife and four children, residence: The Owlet [More information ...]

Taylor, William, 05 Oct 1886, aged 27, Stoneman, premature explosion of a shot while he was engaged in lighting it; too short a match

Thompson, Alfred, 14 Feb 1906, (accident: 31 Jan 1906), aged 43, Shifter, When helping his marrow to lift a heavy stone, the stone slipped and caught his fingers between itself and the "thill," cutting them. Subsequently pneumonia set in and he died 15 days after the accident.

Thompson, Christopher, 28 Jun 1932, aged 42, Chief Horse Keeper, cage fell down shaft, leaves a wife and one daughter aged 7, address: Bloomfield Terrace, Pelton Fell, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Donwell (Usworth Parish Church) [More information ...]

Tiplady, Matthew, 18 Feb 1906, aged 61, Brakesman, Poisoned by gases issuing from a burning rubbish heap adjacent to his house.

Trotter, Robert, 27 Mar 1911, aged 38, Stoneman, he had charged a second shot hole in a gateway canch, but before firing it was necessary to draw out a prop about 4 feet from the lip of the canch; deceased proceeded to do so using a short deputies' axe, while so engaged a large piece of stone fell from the roof, canting out two props and killed him; previous firing had probably shaken the stone, Buried: St. Joseph's (Roman Catholic) Churchyard, Stanley

Waistell, John, 02 Jan 1901, aged 56, Weighman, died of heart disease when at work in the weigh cabin

Walker, Thomas, 24 Mar 1898, (accident: 23 Mar 1898), aged 33, Hewer, Severely injured by a fall of stone in face of working place owing to the presence of slips. Died the following day.

Watson, William, 24 Jul 1911, (accident: 21 Jul 1911), aged 45, Hewer, he was working in a longwall gateway in a seam 2 feet thick; top stone is taken down in the gateway to make height; he was sitting hewing under the brow of the canch which was only overhanging the coal some 9 inches, when a piece of stone came over the coal head on to him severely injuring his leg; he died three days later, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Pelton

Weddle, Robert, 31 Oct 1866, 5:30 a.m., aged 34, Hewer, killed in the 1866 explosion (ignition caused by safety lamp), wife and three children, residence: High Row [More information ...]

Willis, John George, 15 Dec 1888, aged 43, Hewer, fall of a large stone in his working place, Buried: Holy Trinity Churchyard, Pelton

Wilson, George Thomas, 06 Jun 1901, aged 30, Labourer, found dead under the wheel of an empty truck which along with others he was lowering down the screens, but how accident happened it is not known, Buried: Pelton Cemetery

Wright, John, 25 Jun 1885, aged 66, Shifter, when renewing timber with other men on the mainway a large stone forced out a baulk of timber, causing a heavy fall of stone, which fell on him

Wright, Robert, 12 Jan 1866, aged 13, Incline Boy, killed by tubs in engine plane when riding contrary to orders, and to a printed rule or notice; arising from a collision [More information ...]

Yorke, William, 15 Jul 1907, aged 47, Waggonwayman, when driving, and ridding outbye on the limbers, his head was caught between the top of the tub and a baulk

Young, Herbert, 11 Apr 1911, aged 14, Driver, he was engaged temporarily in clearing out rollers on the engine plane; the mode of haulage was endless rope, running at a speed of 2 miles an hour; the rope ran on top of the tubs which were run in sets of three tubs each; it can only be supposed he continued clearing a roller hole out until a full set was close on him, and then he slipped on to the empty road forgetting an empty set might be close to him also; probably he was knocked down by an empty set in front of a full set; he was found under the tubs dead. there was room to stand between the full tubs and the road side

Young, Hutchinson, 15 Jul 1884, aged 50, Deputy, fall of stone while drawing timber out of a broken jud in the Low Main Seam