Mining in Derbyshire

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During the 18th century Derbyshire was known as a mainstream mining company and whilst this is still in place today, there was great risk involved by being a miner during this era.

It was usually a job for the poorer families who had to make a living and the only way up and down the mine was through a small gap in which a bucket was raised and lowered. This was normally a job for smaller children and due to the poisonous vapours sometimes found in the caverns, there was a high number of deaths involved but in the eyes of the owners, there were always more people. It wasn’t uncommon for whole families to undertake such a task and it was a very drastic measure to keep the family fed and clothed.

Methods have changed today with the advancements of modern machinery but during the 18th century, the hours were long and if you survived long enough, you would pick up a small wage at the end of each week.

Next Page: The End of Lead Mining

Related History of Derbyshire Articles

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• Information to the History of Derbyshire
• Plague of Eyam
• Famous People
• Blue John Cavern, Castleton
• Mining in Derbyshire
• The End of Lead Mining
• Mermaid's Pool
• Robin Hood
• Conclusion