IntroductionContrary to popular belief I have many interests besides ancestral research! One of which was instrumental in leading me to the subject of this month’s blog, and that is the promotion of unsigned music! Borders Ancestry currently sponsors the live shows on digital radio station EGH Radio, broadcast from 9.00pm - 10.30pm every Monday & Wednesday night. It was David Mossman, the father of Monday’s Rock Show host Anne Jobling that posed this question last summer. “Ask your woman what she knows about Biteabout Colliery and my grandfather David Brown who fell down the pit”. Well I have to confess at the time of asking I hadn’t actually heard of “Biteabout” Colliery but figured that it must have been one of the numerous drift mines that littered the area of North Northumberland West from Berwick to Cornhill and South to Eglingham, in their heyday during the 19th century. As I was to find out there is quite a bit about “Biteabout”!, so this blog is dedicated to you David. I hope you enjoy the discoveries I made when I went digging for your family, and the connections with coal mining in the area around Lowick.
The Mossman Miners My research began by drawing up a basic family tree linking David Mossman back to David Brown. Mr Mossman’s father (also David) had himself been born in the Lowick area, at Doddington in 1904. The David mentioned in the paragraph below is Mr Mossman’s father. By the beginning of the 20th century many of the smaller mines in North Northumberland became unviable and began to close. Mining families moved south to the larger collieries of Mid and South Northumberland, or even further to the coalfields of Tyne & Wear and Durham. By the time of the 1911 census, John Mossman and his family are living at 43 Hedgehope Tce, Drift, Acklington in Northumberland. David’s older brother Robert John now aged 15 was already working below ground. David was the fourth child and the second son of John Mossman and his wife Barbara Ellen Brown. The Brown connection now potentially established I was interested to follow the Mossman line back a bit further to see where it would lead. John Mossman’s occupation was a Coal Miner. He was born in Lowick in 1873, the son of - Robert Mossman b. 5th January 1837 in Ford, Northumberland, occupation Coal Miner son of - John Mossman b. Grindon Ridge (Rigg) Norham, baptised Etal Presbytery 1808, occupation Coal Miner son of – John & Sarah Mossman of Grindon Ridge (Rigg) Tracing the Brown Family
Mining in North Northumberland in the early |
The miners were the first to take action when on 3rd January 1820 the workers at Ford, Greenlawalls, Thornton, Shoreswood, Murton, Lickar, and Berwick Hill downed tools and made their way to the colliery at Scremerston gathering others en route. Magistrates from the district convened a meeting for the following day to include a deputation from each pit. No agreement could be found and the mines remained at a standstill. By the 15th January, nine of the principle strike leaders had been arrested and taken to Durham Gaol, the pits of Ford, Felkington & Shoreswood having reached an agreement with their coal owners had returned to work on the 12th and seven men had returned to work at Scremerston under the protection of an armed guard. |
The Rise & Fall of the Early Unions
The mining community which had previously been close-knit became closer still. As disturbances and grumblings rumbled on the miners closed ranks in support of each other and the solidarity for which they would became renowned was beginning to take shape. The first regional union was established in Newcastle in 1830 under the leadership of Thomas Hepburn, but strike action in 1832 had ended in victory for the coal owners. As a result no man who was a member of a union would be employed by them and the union collapsed. The first national union was established in 1840 and again set about achieving it’s aims for reform. |
The Case of the "Biteabout" Miners
In due course the incident came to the attention of the Union, who mustered financial support from amongst its members. Newspaper reports throughout the ensuing months of March, April and May give regular updates on the cause, and detail the numerous pledges received to help the miners pay for the legal representation necessary to fight their case.
The last report to appear in the press on the 13th June states the date set for the hearing as the 3rd of July 1846 in Ford and then ……. nothing! Nowhere can I uncover a report or account of the trial, or whether Mr Jackson received his comeuppance! More annoying still is that although the names of the protagonists are meticulously recorded, nowhere can I find the names of the affected miners. As such, alas, I have no way of knowing if David Brown was amongst them.
David Brown, coal miner 1804 – 1873 & His Family
Was David in the right place at the right time? The answer is a resounding yes. According to the 1841 census he was living at Lowick South Moor. In fact, throughout his entire working life he hardly moves, if in fact at all. Although the subsequent census records list his place of residence under slightly different names, when viewed on the map I believe these to be one and the same:- 1851 Lowick Pit Houses, Barmoor Red House 1861 Lowick South Moor, Redhouses 1871 Kemping Moss, Barmoor Redhouse |
His eldest son William, also a coal miner had married by this time, and had moved with his family to the colliery at West Dryburn. Son Robert was also married but was living with his young family next door to his parents. Sons John, James and George as yet unmarried were living and working alongside their father, who by 1871, was now the “Overman” or manager of the Biteabout colliery. Nephew James Fairbairn who had become a permanent family addition, and also a coal miner, is now married and living next door.
In the 1870’s the lives of the Brown family begin a period of radical change. Son James whose occupation at the time of the 1871 census had been a coal miner was Tailor and Clothier in Alnwick at the time of his marriage to Ellen Augusta Hagar, a clergyman’s daughter, in Jedburgh on the 28th October 1873.
Just eleven days later on the 8th November, father David died as the result of an accident. He had tragically fallen down a pit shaft at the Biteabout mine.
The following year son John had succeeded his father as collliery “Overman”. In July 1874 he presented a silver cup to a William Kilvington Jackson on behalf of the miners of Biteabout Colliery as a mark of respect on his retirement. Fortunately if any relationship existed it was somewhat distant to the somewhat unscrupulous Henry Jackson referred to earlier! In September 1874 John married Sarah Tarbet . At the time of the 1881 census the couple were living in what may possibly have been John’s childhood home at Redhouses, Lowick South Moor. In a strange twist of fate by 1891 John is now the tenant farmer at Barmoor Red House, and a coal owner, presumably of the very same Biteabout Colliery. His cousin James Fairbairn is also living at Barmoor still a coal miner (In 1901 he is now a Green Grocer but living at the same address), and at Kemping Moss in the pit cottages we have Robert Mossman and family, including John who would subsequently marry Barbara Ellen Brown. |
The Fairbairns – A tragic tale with a happy ending.
James had been born the fourth child and second son to James Fairbairn, originally a shoemaker by trade and Isabella Fish his wife. Isabella was sister to Margaret Fish the wife of David Brown. By the time of his birth, the Fairbairn family had moved to the Lamb Inn near Lowick and his two older sisters had died in infancy. A brother George was born in 1841 and in December 1844 they were joined by another brother Robert. By the time of Robert’s baptism in February 1845 their mother Isabella had died. Baby Robert was soon to follow.
Infant mortality was high in those times, and mothers often perished after a difficult childbirth but what thoroughly tugged at my heartstrings was a note in the baptism register. It had probably been taken from the parish minute book and notes that “Father, mother and sons are tenants in the Lamb Inn, sleeping in the dust”.
What could easily have ended like a ghastly chapter from a novel by Charles Dickens in the Parish Workhouse was averted by the kindness and support of members of the Fish family who rallied round and raised the three boys as their own. Although the boys grew up separately, they obviously remained close as can be seen in later census records. They had a tragic start in life, but with the love and support of their mother’s family they went on to lead happy and fulfilled lives. John the eldest named one of his daughters Margaret Brown Fairbairn I feel sure this was out of respect and affection for his aunt.
Conclusion
research notes
There a host of online family trees which have attributed his parentage to a David Brown & Isobel Mossman of Tweedmouth Square and linked him to a baptism in Spittal in August 1800. I find no evidence to support this parentage for a number of reasons;
The eldest son of David Brown (born 1804) is named William born 1831in Lowick. Although there was a child named David who died in infancy with no known birth or death date, if he had been the first born, he had passed away before the census in 1841 and it is unlikely the couple would have waited until the birth of their seventh son to re-use the name. Therefore if the family follows the traditional naming pattern, evident in later generations, I would expect his father’s name to be William.
Thirdly in every census David is clear on his birthplace and age.
The family followed the Presbyterian religion and as such were viewed by the established church as “Dissenters”. This makes research potentially more problematic as there are far fewer records. I believe what has happened in this case is that a record has been found on the internet, for a Presbyterian baptism of a David Brown in 1800 at Spittal and it has been made to fit, rather than consulting the records of the Scotch Presbyterian Church at Lowick, not available on the internet but which contain the baptismal records of several children born to a William & Margaret Brown of Lowick from 1808 to 1817. The Church register begins in 1804. There is also an irregular marriage at Coldstream Bridge in 1796 between a William Brown of Ancroft and Margaret Hume of Lowick. These records too are unproven as to a relationship, if any to David Brown born at Lickar Colliery circa 1804, but to mind at least, they seem far more likely candidates.
Links
http://www.berwickfriends.org.uk/history/ford-moss-colliery/
Intro to The Coal Industry in the North East
http://www.englandsnortheast.co.uk/CoalMiningandRailways.html
A detailed look into the 1844 Miners Strike in Northumberland & Durham
http://www.durhamintime.org.uk/durham_miner/great_strike.pdf
A Glossary of Terms commonly in use in the North Eastern Coalfields
http://www.cmhrc.co.uk/site/literature/glossary/
This site is not the easiest to navigate, but persist & you'll be amazed at what you'll discover
http://www.dmm.org.uk/lom/
My Favourite online research tool "The British Newspaper Archive"
http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/
A very special mention and my thanks also go to "Lady Waterford Hall" in Ford Village,
http://www.ford-and-etal.co.uk/lady-waterford-hall
Not only is it very beautiful, it is packed with information useful to researchers with ancestors from the area.
A true hidden gem!
Hello Susie, I have to confirm this but I think my cousins - Burn family - live at Barmoor Red House today. You've opened my eyes to possible records for some of my Young ancestors who also lived near that area.
I have 2 very old photographs marked as Biteabout but could be Kemping Moss. Also 2 photographs marked George Brown ? a relative. My grandmother Margaret Bickerton lived with her Aunt Mary Gloholm at Kemping Moss between 1881 and 1901.
Hello Kathleen
Thank you so much for your comment on my website.
It all makes perfect sense as William Brown (son of David Brown who fell down the pit shaft at Biteabout) was married to a Jane Bickerton. They had a son George born circa 1870 and William had a younger brother George born circa 1851.
Jane Bickerton wife of William Brown appears to be the sister of amongst others George & Arthur Bickerton. George Bickerton father of Margaret (b.1867 Coal Shank (Biteabout)) sometime Innkeeper at Red Lion? Is this your grandmother Margaret? If so then Jane Bickerton wife of William Brown would also be an Aunt to Margaret. These families were so close knit you rarely find them far apart in the old days!
It would be lovely to see the photos, I think Mr Mossman would be over the moon!
Kind regards
Susie
stands near lower part Cheviot Hills building still there. Could be B& B AT PRESENT.WAS PAINTED rED AND WHITE BY SQUATTERES IN 2001.
iT WAS UP FOR SALE
Would like to know who owns it now. am 83 yrs of age,
I lived in an old cottage at Kemping Moss in the 1970's. I assumed it had always been a farm cottage but now, it seems, that it was originally a miner's cottage. Two brothers called Brown had farmed Kemping Moss up till a few years before I moved there. They were, I think, Bob and Arthur. They had a sister, Elizabeth Guthrie. I can't be certain that they were related to the Browns referred to above but it seems probable. They have some descendants still living in the area.
Hi Ian, The Bob you refer to was my grandfather Robert Paxton Brown and his brother Arthur they did farm Kemping Moss and I would love to find out more information about them my farther Robert now lives at Hetton Steads and I live at Fordhill so haven't moved far from the area
My Great, Great, Great Grandfather was David Brown married to Isabel Mossman.Their son David Brown born 27/08/1800 married to Margaret Fish born 10 July 1809. David died falling down the pit. His son, Robert Brown born 26/09/1844 was born at Biteabout and married Esther Lumsden 26/09/1868. Their daughter, Grace, my Grandmother married John Wright but died when she was 36 in Newcastle Infirmary after childbirth. My Mother was Esther Brown Wright born 07/01/1901..in Belford So we go back a long way Visited Biteabout August 2015. Have a long Family Tree with lots of relatives. Are you interested??
The Browns were strong Presbyterians. My Great Grandfather, Robert Brown disowned his son, David because he married out of the faith.There were a number of twins born in the family, my Mother being one. Esther Brown Wright and Jane Redpath Wright born 07/01/1901
Hi. My GG Grandfather was David Brown, Robert's younger brother. My sister Christine, has been doing family research, hence I found you thanks to Bordersancestry.
That makes you a 2nd/3rd/cousin then?
You say you have a long family tree ? My sister & I would be intrigued to know if you have any further information prior to 1800.
ps My sister & I would be happy to fill any blanks on our side of our family, although, like my namesake, we do not retain the faith..
David William Brown xxx
Sorry Yvonne. I gave you duff information. My GG grandfather was William Brown born 1830/1831, Robert's older brother, & he had a son called David, born1867, who is my Great Grandfather. x
Hi David, The only information I have is that William's Father was David Brown 1800-1873 married to Margaret Fish b 1809 whose parents were John Fish 1785 m to Margaret Fish b 1785. David's Father was also David Brown married to Isabel Brown b1770 whose parents were David Mossman m to Elizabeth Mossman. Don't know if this is of any help. One or two names to play with. We had the same Great, Great Grandparents So Hello new relatives.
Hi cuz
We did not know for sure about David Brown's(1800) parents - we had a record of the Fish family & the Mossmans( they also appear later on in the mid 1800s) but Christine also has a record of the names John Mayfield & Margaret MacDougal who were married in1736. Do you recognise these names? Could one of the Fish family be the offspring? I am currently living in New Zealand but the rest of my siblings(4) still live in the Newcastle area. Where are you?
Hi My New Coz, How proud you must be to have kept your name, David William Brown. I am very interested in my Family Tree. My Mother was born in Belford, Northumberland and I was there on a visit last year and I lived in Belford during the war years and have many happy memories. As you will gather I am getting on in years born 1930 in Renfrew Scotland but have been a wonderer and now live in Wales. My family name is GRAY but belong to the MacGregor clan. My Grandparents are buried in Aberdeen and in the last two weeks I have been in Scotland to see their graves. I now have hundreds of relatives in my Family Tree and my heart is big enough for all of them. I found another Brown coz, who lives in Beadnell on the coast near Seahouses. Her Father was Andrew Brown and her Grandfather, another David Brown the son of Robert Brown who was born at Bite a bout.Sorry to go on but Best Wishes & Love From Your Coz Yvonne x
Hi, David Mossman who the article is for is my uncle, my mother (David's sister) was Barbara Mossman but she married a Brown (no relation to the browns in the article. David Mossman (my grandad / davids father) was married to Lily Mossman, I'll see if I can gather more names from my uncle David.
My Grandparents Thomas & Christine Whillis lived at Barmoor Red House in the bungalow when I was young. The owner of the farm was Harold Hogg. Following Tom's retirement his son Tommy Whillis (my uncle) and wife Muriel moved into the bungalow. Another uncle, George Davidson and wife Peggy lived at Lowick South Moor until George retired. It was then modified by the owner John Burns and I believe his son Hugh moved in. Later, when John retired he and Jennifer swapped with Hugh from 'The Big House' at Barmoor Red House where I believe he still lives.
When I was young our family spent every summer holiday at Lowick South Moor & The Red House and I remember well the Brown family at Kemping Moss. At that time Robert and Arthur were the owners. I recall Robert's their children were Elizabeth, Robert, Keith and a second sister whose name escapes me.
At Biteabout at the time were Arthur & Mary Luke with their family.
I always knew there was a mine on the Kemping Moss property but had no idea there were so many in the area.
Leave a Reply.
Author
Susie Douglas
Archives
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013