Gentleman’s magazine, 1765 (Sep. 30).
The pitmen in the counties of Durham and Northumberland, resumed their labour, after a strike of several weeks. The difference between the pitmen and coal-owners, was, according to the appeal of the former to the public :- That most of the pitmen were bound the latter end of August, and the remainder of them were bound the beginning of September, 1764, and they served till the 24th or 25th of August, 1765, which they expect is the due time of their servitude; but the honourable gentlemen in the coal trade will not let them be free till the 11th of November 1765, which, instead of 11 months and 25 days (the respective time of their bonds) is upwards of 14 months, so the said pitmen are resolved not to work for, or serve the said gentlemen in any of the collieries till they be fully Satisfied that the said article is dissolved, and new bonds and agreements entered into for the year ensuing. During the strike, on Friday September 13th, Sir Ralph Milbanke got some of his pits to work, but in the afternoon of that clay, a body of men cut the ropes of the gins, broke the machinery, and threw it down the shafts; in consequence of which a party of soldiers were sent from Newcastle, for protection. On the 18th, early in the morning, the mine of coal and one of the pits of Pelton Common colliery, belonging to Mrs. Jennison and partners, were set on fire, and though the owners offered a reward of £100 for the discovery of the offenders, and notwithstanding the vigilance of the military, the utensils of many both on the Tyne and the year, were destroyed and burnt on the 24th, and the coals both above and below ground set on fire. A letter, containing the most diabolical threats, was sent to Mr. Alderman Bell, at his residence in Westgate street, Newcastle, in consequence of which a reward of £100 and his majesty's pardon to any one (save the actual writer), was offered for bringing to justice the parties concerned. Hartley colliery, the property of Thomas Delaval, esq. where the men continued working as usual, formed the only exception to the strike being general throughout the district.