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HER Number:MDV54864
Name:Union Mineral Black Mine in Bideford.

Summary

Union Mineral Black Mine. Shafts in the area of the rectory grounds.

Location

Grid Reference:SS 450 266
Map Sheet:SS42NE
Admin AreaDevon
Civil ParishBideford
DistrictTorridge
Ecclesiastical ParishBIDEFORD

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

  • Old DCC SMR Ref: SS42NE/164/1

Monument Type(s) and Dates

  • MINE (Early Medieval to XXI - 1066 AD to 2009 AD)

Full description

Ordnance Survey, 1880-1899, First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch map (Cartographic). SDV336179.

Map object based on this source.

Claughton, P. F., 1993, A List of Mines in North Devon and West Somerset, 15 (Un-published). SDV3410.

Union Mineral Black Mine Exact location unknown. Shafts in the area of the rectory grounds. At work for paint pigment circa1802-13; possibly on or near site of 19th century anthracite mining activity. Map object based on this source.

Cleaver, D. + Coulter, J. + Slade, P. + Waters, E. + White, D., 1994, Bideford Black. The History of a Unique Local Industry, 6-8; Figs 2,10 (Pamphlet). SDV366276.

One of the earliest known records of production is the 1811 notice of sale of a third share in the Union Mineral Black Mine, near the junction of Pitt Lane and High Street. Particulars include details of a shaft from which 3000 tons of mineral black had already been extracted. Included were details of equipment and “every other requisite for rendering the article fit for sale on a large scale”. The product was described as selling under patent and “lately introduced into His Majesty’s Navy as a paint with much success”.
There seems little doubt that the main seam runs under the town, and there is a reference to a considerable amount of “decayed anthracite” having been found during laying of a gas main in Grenville Street.

Ordnance Survey, 2012, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV348725.

Map object based on this source.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV336179Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 1880-1899. First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch map. First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map. Map (Digital).
SDV3410Un-published: Claughton, P. F.. 1993. A List of Mines in North Devon and West Somerset. A List of Mines in North Devon and West Somerset. Unknown. 15.
SDV348725Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 2012. MasterMap. Ordnance Survey. Map (Digital).
SDV366276Pamphlet: Cleaver, D. + Coulter, J. + Slade, P. + Waters, E. + White, D.. 1994. Bideford Black. The History of a Unique Local Industry. Bideford and District Community Archive. Pamphlet. 6-8; Figs 2,10.

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded


Date Last Edited:Jan 6 2025 11:10AM