bits

As the mining operations below have been so extensive, the surface of the district is covered with rubbish, and its general aspect is most barren and uninviting. The following tolerably accurate and very graphic description of it, and of the habits and employment of its population, is from the pen of Sir Francis Bond Head, Bart., and with it we shall conclude: -

"To one unaccustomed to a mining country, the view from Cairn Marth, which is a rocky eminence of 757 feet, is full of novelty. Over a surface which is neither mountainous nor flat, but diversified from sea to sea by a constant series of low and undulating hills and vales, the farmer and the miner seem to be occupying the country in something like the confusion of warfare. The situations of the Consolidated Mines, the United Mines, the Poldice Mine, &c,&c, are marked out by spots a mile in length, by half a mile in breadth, covered with what are termed "the deads" of the mine, .saly, poisonous rubbish thrown up in rugged heaps, which, at this distance, give the place the appearance of an encampment of soldiers' tents. This lifeless mass follows a course of the main lode (which generally runs east to west); and from it, in different directions, minor branches of the same barren rubbish diverge through the fertile country, like the streams of lava from a volcano. The miner, being obliged to have a shaft for air at every hundred yards, and the Stannary laws allowing him freely to pursue his game, his hidden path is commonly to be traced by a series of heaps of "deads", which rise up among the green fields, and among the grazing cattle, like the workings of a mole. Steam engines and shims (large capstans worked by two or four horses) are scattered about; and in the neighbourhood of the old, as well as of the new workings, are sprinkled, one by one, a number of small white-washed miners' cottages which, based neither on a road, nor near a road, wear, to the eye of the stranger, the appearance of having been dropped down apropos to nothing."

"Early in the morning the scene becomes animated. From the scattered cottages, as far as the eye can reach, men, women and children of all ages begin to creep out; and it is curious to observe them all converging like bees to the small hole at which they are to enter their mines. On their arrival, the women and children, whose duty it is to dress or clean the ore, repair to the rough sheds under which they work, while the men, having stripped and put on their underground clothes (which are of course flannel dresses) one after another descended the several shafts of the mine by perpendicular ladders to their respective levels or galleries. As soon as they have all disappeared, a most remarkable stillness prevails; scarcely a human being is to be seen. The tall chimneys of the steam-engines emit no smoke; and nothing is seen in motion but the great "bobs" or levers of those gigantic machines."

As soon as the men emerge to grass, they repair to the engine-house, where they generally leave their underground clothes to dry, wash themselves in the warm water of the engine-pool ,and put on their clothes, which are always exceedingly decent. By this time the maidens and little boys have also washed their faces, and the whole party migrate across the fields in groups, and in different directions, to their respective homes. Generally speaking, they now look so clean and fresh, and seem so happy, that one would scarcely fancy they had worked all day in darkness and confinement. The old men, however, tired with their work, and sick of the follies and vagarities of the outside and inside of this mining world, plod their way in sober silence, probably thinking of their supper. The younger men proceed talking and laughing, and where the grass is good, they will sometimes stop and wrestle. The big boys generally advance by playing at leap-frog; while urchins run as before to gain time to stand on their heads; while the "maidens", sometimes pleased and sometimes offended with what happens, smile or scream as circumstances may require. As the different members of the group approach their respective cottages, their number of course diminish, and when the individual who lives farthest from the mine, like the solitary survivor of a large family, performs the last few yards of his journey by himself."

From November 15, 1839 - West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser

The following comes from the West Briton 18 November 1842

The TRESAVEAN MAN ENGINE A CURE FOR THE LIVER COMPLAINT
"There was never a better machine than that at Tresavean mine, invented for the miner," said an old and venerable man, a short time ago, "it will do wonders. Old Doctor ___ of Truro, used to say that the average age of our miners scarcely exceeded 29 years, and he attributed it entirely to climbing up from the deep mines; and in that opinion I perfectly agree. Nor do I doubt but the miners will now live very much longer than they have been used to. Besides this, see what it will do for the liver complaint. Now, when I was young, and the mines were not so deep, I scarcely heard of such a disorder; nor is it known any where hardly but in Cornwall. I will tell you how the disorder is brought on; when the men climb up so far, you observe the whole frame is in confusion, and the heart beats so violently up against the liver as in time to beat a hole into it, and follow in course the liver complaint." At this expression the old man's auditor burst into a fit of laughter, which much incensed him; and he turned on the heel and said - "you young gentleman may laugh at what you call foolish, but what we old people know true by experience; and I say again I believe MR. MICHAEL LOAM'S Man Machine will do more good for the liver complaint than all the pills in Truro."

Thanks to West Briton Archives

Following on from correspondence on furze faggots in the Notes & Queries section, I thought that members and others might be interested in this photo of Mrs Jane Hosking, of Dowran, in St Just parish who is seen dressed in her white apron and wearing her Gook (bonnet), collecting fuel from the stack in the farmyard. The photo was taken around 1900 by local photographer William Thomas of Ballowal Place, St Just.

West Briton 9 JUNE 1887, Thursday

A Submerged Forest Near Mevagissey. -

Sir, - It may interest you to know that at Portmellon beach, which is about a half-mile to the west of this place, the remains of a rather extensive submerged forest still exist. Peat to a very considerable depth is found to underlie nearly the whole of the beach from high to low water. When the sand is washed aside then the peat with the trees lying partially embedded in it appear. With these long continued east winds portions of the beach are now free from sand, and the peat and trees are very prominent objects. This week I secured the remains of a very old gnarled and twisted tree of about nine feet long and eighteen inches in circumference. Not long ago I counted sixteen trees lying along the beach; just now there are not so many to be seen. It is not an uncommon occurrence for the inhabitants of the cove to drag the trees out of their old resting place to some spot above the sea and dry them, as they make a good winter fire. Recently I selected portions of a tree as a specimen for a museum from a quantity heaped up for the purpose of future burning. The peat is rather more interesting than the trees, for in it are embedded a great variety of vegetable matter. The leaves in it are from several kinds of trees, and are as perfect in form as when growng. When this inundation happened is much shrouded in mystery. I am inclined to believe that in Mr. Robert Hunt's stories of the West of England there is something more than drolls and romances, when so many of his treasured traditions point to a catastrophe happening in Cornwall in the 11th century. This overwhelming of the Portmellon valley, geologically speaking, must have been quite recent, and no doubt belongs to the same date of submerged forests given by Hunt. In the Mount's Bay and Whitsands Bay, near Plymouth, vestiges of like forests have also been found - at Mevagissey, Pentewan, and Porthpean, near St. Austell - all of which point to a cataclyism which destroyed at once the whole Cornish coast line. Not long ago, when examining this peat at Portmellon, I found in it, near the surface, several seeds, the form of which seems to indicate that they are those of a plant which belong to the natural order umbellifer[?]. As these seeds are dropped in the autumn of the year, and as they had not sprouted, one is led to believe the catastrophe must have happened soon after the seeds had been thrown off. I also noted that the bulrush embedded in the peat is long, stiff, and green - a state the bulrush is not likely to be in at any other season of the year than the autumn. On my last visit there I was much surprised on splitting some small lumps of peat washed up by the sea to find something shining against me like polished metal and throwing off beautiful iridiscent hues. Under the glass I found it was the wings and legs of beetles. As these creatures would hardly be in this form in the winter or spring, this evidence goes to narrow the inundation to the summer or autumn. Portmellon beach is one of the most sheltered corners on the Cornish coast, hence the reason why the forest is so well preserved, but the peat and trees are gradually fretting away by the erosion of the sea, and the pounding on the beach of the keel of an occasional vessel which may come there to discharge her cargo. If the scientific authorities wish to take note of the beach the opportunity should not be left much longer. I well recollect the state of the forest near fifty years ago; when a little boy I visited the spot with my father and grandfather. Then the trees were much farther out at sea, and far more plentiful than at present. I can safely say full two-thirds of them are gone. Yours, &c., Matthias Dunn, [?] 30th, 1887.

Thanks to West Briton Archives

Burials at the Quaker Burial Ground, Brea, Sennen

5 Jun.....1677: John Wallish of St.Just.

25 April1687: Seth Vingoe son of Jenkin Vingoe of Sennen.

6 Feb....1690: Ann Wallish wife of Nicholas Wallish of Sennen.

16 Apr..1702: Ann Wallish wife of Robert Wallish of Sancrett (Sancreed)

.............1703: Mary Wallish

26 Oct. 1705: Jenkin Vingoe of Sennen

29 Feb..1708: Mary Vingoe widow of Jenkin Vingoe.

3 Mar.. 1714: Richard Dennis of Buryan.
11 Jan..1715: Margaret Reed wife of Tobias.
28 Jan..1716: Sampson Olivey
22 Dec.1723: Jane Dennis of Buryan
22 Sep..1724: William Bottrell of Sancreed.
31 Aug 1730: John Ellis of Penzance
16 Jan..1733: John Williams of Sennen.
25 Mar.1733: Prudence Wallish of St. Levan wife of Nicholas Wallish of St.Levan at Brea.

1 Mar...1737: Jane Richards of Sennen w of Richard of Paul

A Mystery From the Times of London, June 1805.

The Times, Saturday, Jun 01, 1805; pg 2.

"The performance at the Penzance Theatre on Monday night, were interrupted in consequence of it being publicly announced to the audience that Lord Nelson had fallen in with the Combined Fleets and captured ten sails of the line and four frigates, and one gun-brig, with 8,000 troops on board. The spectators threw up their caps and sang 'God Save the King,' and 'Rule Britannia,' as might have been expected. The information was said to have been obtained from the boat belonging to the Plover sloop of war, which was seen working into the Bay on the following evening, as was said to be charged with dispatches for Government. We wish we could say that their was the slightest foundation for the honest exultation of the loyal inhabitants of Penzance. The Plover is on the Newfoundland Station."

The Cornish & Cricket

West Briton - 15th February 1839

PROFANATION OF THE SABBATH - A Correspondent complains of the profanation of the Sabbath by a party of young men who were engaged on the afternoon of Sunday last, in playing cricket in a field near Truro. We quite agree with our correspondent as to the propriety of cautioning those individuals against a repetition of such disgraceful conduct, and of urging on the Magistrates the necessity of putting a stop to such exhibitions, revolting as they are to common decency, and which, if permitted to proceed unnoticed, must be attended with the worst consequences.

From the West Briton 7th June 1839

Cricket Match - About a month since, the members of the Liskeard Cricket Club sent a challenge to play a match with the members of the Callington Club, which was accepted. The play was ultimately agreed upon to come off at Liskeard on Monday, the 3rd instant, in a field at the eastern part of the town, at which place the members of both clubs met on the most agreeable terms. The following were nominated to play: From Callington - Messrs. William NATTLE, Thomas GRIGG, Thomas GODDING, W.H. NATTLE, John RYALL, William PETER, Francis BURNHAM, Edward MILLS, Simon PHILP, John EDGCUMBE, and Robert ROSEKILLY. From Liskeard - Messrs. Richard CLEMENS, William CHAPMAN, W. G. SARGENT, Joseph CHAPMAN, Charles MILTON, James MEDLAND, Richard MEDLAND, Anthony CHAPMAN, C. ROGERS, John KNIGHT, and W. SARGENT. The bowlers for the Callington club were Messrs. W. H. NETTLE, Simon PHILP, and Johhn RYALL; for the Liskeard club, Messrs. James MEDLAND, and Richard CLEMENS. The umpires were Mr. R. G. DYMOND, of Callington, and Mr. Frederick RICKARD, of Liskeard, who were highly complimented for the candour and honesty shown by them in their decisions. The bowling on the part of Callington was of the best description and far excelled that of their opponents. The number of notches made by each party were as follows:
First innings, Liskeard...25 Bye balls.. 1 26
2nd ditto ditto 21
ditto ...3 24
total 50
First innings, Callington, 56, making amajority for Callington of six notches, without taking the second innings.
After the play was over, the different parties, with their friends, amounting to upwards of fifty, adjourned to the Red Lion Inn, in Liskeard, kept by Mr. John KNIGHT, where they were bountifully supplied with good old English fare. The evening was very agreeably spent, both parties being on the most intimate terms with each other, and agreed to play the return match at Callington within three weeks, the Liskeard club having the privilege of changing their players.

Thanks to West Briton Archives

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Cornish Inventors & Cricket

This excerpt is taken from an article which appeared in the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Annual Report in 1930 and was entitled Cornish Inventors. The Author was Mr J Hambley Rowe and it was a transcript of his Presidential address which he gave at the Penzance Exhibition on the 15th July 1930. Mr Hambley Rowe states in his article that:: -

"Roger Vivian of Tuckingmill devised improvements in the construction of balls for cricket and other games".

He also stated that " William Christophers, Pattern-maker of Hayle, invented the spliced bat and showed it to Lillywhite at the great match of 1856 - Eleven of all England v Twenty two of Cornwall, at Clowance Park. Lillywhite took it up and its universal adoption quickly followed."

On the 1841 census a William Christophers aged 15 is living with his widowed mother Margaret at Bodriggy in Philack, Hayle. His occupation is shown as being a labourer. He Married a Jane Roberts whose father was a shoemaker at St Kevern on the 30th of October 1850. At the time of his marriage he is shown as being a "Moulder in the Foundry at Hayle."

The1851 census shows William Christophers, as an Iron founder, aged 29 living with his wife Jane and widowed mother Margaret at Bodriggy in Phillack, Hayle.

By the 1861 Census William and his wife have disappeared from the Cornwall census.

Sent in by George Pritchard, Redruth OCS.

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Jack Crapp Cricketer 1912 - 1981

A Cornishman, Player & Gentleman.

John Frederick Crapp was born in St Columb on 14th October 1912. he was brought up in Bristol where he died on 15th February 1981. he visited St Columb on many occasions. Jack was the first Cornishman to play for England.

In 1984 Mr. & Mrs. Ackers agreed to the St Columb Old Cornwall Society's request to place a plaque on a granite plinth in their garden at No. 25 Bridge where Jack was born. In October Mr. Harry Crapp (Jack's brother) came down to unveil the plaque. Also Mr. G. Parker former Secretary to the Gloucester County Cricket Club spoke highly of Jack, being the first Professional Captain of the club. Mr. G Wiltshire, Gloucestershire County Coach presented the Old Cornwall Society with Jack's M.C.C. Blazer ( now on display in the St Columb Post Office.

Jack played for Gloucestershire from 1936 - 1956 and was Captain in 1953 and 1954.

His England Test Appearances were as follows:

v. Australia, 3rd test at Old Trafford in 1948.

v. Australia, 4th test at Heddingley in 1948.

v. Australia, 5th test at the Oval in 1948.

v. South Africa, 2nd test at Johannesburg in 1948/49

v. South Africa, 3rd test at Cape Town in 1948/49

v. South Africa, 4th test at Johannesburg in 1948/49.

v. South Africa, 5th test at Port Elizabeth in 1948/49.

Written by Mrs Nick Glanville, St Columb Old Cornwall Society.

Sent in by Bill Glanville of St Columb OCS.

To Choose a Wife. Ascertain the date of the month of the young woman's birth, and refer to the last chapter of Proverbs in the Bible. Each verse from 1st to the 31st is supposed to indicate, either directly or indirectly, the character, and to guide the searcher - the verse corresponding with her birth date indicating the woman's character. Old Cornish Tradition.

West Briton - 28 APRIL 1887

St. Austell Valley Railway

For years we have felt in St. Austell the depression in trade, and not a small number have left the neighbourhood in order to gain a livelihood elsewhere. Returning from my Easter holidays, I found nearly a score at the various stations from Penzance, and at St. Austell quite as many leaving for America. This week we have a repetition of the same thing, but I hope that now the St. Austell Valley Railway Bill is passed, and the loan granted for the proposed new harbour at Mevagissey, we shall see better times. If these works are carried out it will not only mean employment for a large number, but after its completion Mevagissey, Pentewan, and St. Austell will, from a commercial standpoint, derive much benefit. And not only so, but, with railway communication, Pentewan would doubtless become popular as a holiday resort. This would mean the erection of more suitable buildings, and as there is a very large beach and a green on which cricket, lawn tennis, &c., can be played, Pentewan should see a large measure of popularity.

Since writing the foregoing I find no time is to be lost by the promoters of the railway scheme. On Friday dialling and other preliminary work was renewed, and I understand the construction of the line is to be vigourously pushed forward.

Thanks to West Briton Archives

Cornish Whiddles

Told by Mrs Frank Morris

Published by T. Fisher Unwin 1898.

The following proverbs I found in "The Cornish - English Vocabulary" published in 1790 by Dr. William Pryce, of Redruth:-

1. "Sav a man, kebnor tha li, ha ker tha'n hal; Mor-teed a metten travyth ne dial"

Translation,

"Get up, take thy breakfast, and go to the moor; The sea-tide of the morning is nothing worth."

The above proverb is spoken in St Just in Penwith, where are both fishermen and tinners."

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2. "Ne Vedn nevera doas vas a tavaz re hir; Bes den heb tavaz a gollas e dir."

Translation

"Never will come good from a tongue too long. But a man without a tongue shall lose his land."

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3. "Rowsa nebaz, ha rowsa da; Mez rowsa nebaz an gwella."

Translation.

"Speak little, and speak well; But to speak little is best."

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4. "Cusal he teg, sirra wheage, Moaz pell."

Translation.

"Soft and fair, sweet sir, Goes far."

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5. "Ha'n Dew euhella, vedn ry, Peth yw gwella ol rag wht."

Translation.

"And God supreme, for thee will do, what He thinks best is good for you."

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sent in by Bill Glanville of St Columb OCS

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