February 26. — An interesting account of the state of the coal trade of Newcastle is preserved in the books of the hostmen’s company under the above date: there appears to have been at that time twenty eight acting fitters, or hostmen, who were to vend by the year nine thousand and eighty tons of coals, and find eighty-five keels for that purpose: the prices ordered were, for the best sort not above ten shillings the chaldron; for the second best sort not above nine shillings; and of the kind called there "the meane coles," not above eight shillings for the like quantity. — Brand. [LHTB]

 

 

• LHTB — Local Historian's Table Book of Remarkable Occurrences Connected with the Counties of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Northumberland and Durham by M.A. Richardson. Published in five volumes in 1844.