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Summary

Silver-lead mine active in the 1850s. Remains noted, including the restored chimney stack. The engine shaft was sunk in April 1851 and had reached a depth of 30 fathoms by June 1852. The venture was unsuccessful and was up for sale in 1855 when a 30 foot waterwheel was noted, along with 30inch pumping engine and other machinery.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX88NW/15

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• LEAD MINE (First mentioned, XIX - 1850 AD (Between) to 1855 AD (Between))

Full description

Spargo, T., 1868, Mines of Cornwall and Devon, 178 (Monograph). SDV310938.

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

'Birch Mine (lead, disused)' shown on the late 19th century historic map.

Ordnance Survey, 1904 - 1906, Second Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map, 91NW (Cartographic). SDV325644.

'Birch Mine (disused)' shown on the early 20th century (1906) historic map.

Collins, J. H., 1912, Observations on the West of England Mining Region, 416 (Monograph). SDV323594.

Ramsden, J. V., 1952, Notes on the Mines of Devonshire, 90 fig.1 (Article in Serial). SDV60737.

Mine. B20. Birch Ellers.

Ordnance Survey, 1953-1969, 1953-1969 National Grid OS A edition imperial (Cartographic). SDV352727.

'Mine' is shown on the Ordnance Survey 6 inch late 20th century (1963) version of the mapping.

Schmitz, C. J., 1973, Teign Valley Lead Mines 1800 to 1880, 50-57 (Monograph). SDV310263.

Schmitz, C. J., 1974, The Early Growth of the Devon Barytes Industry, 1835-1875, 63-67 (Article in Serial). SDV296043.

Operations started in 1850, but principally for lead ores. Production was gradually run down from early 1855, although there seemed to be extensive barytes deposits. Possible earlier working west of Birch Ellers main lode drained by an adit. The mine was worked in 1847 as Wheal Ann.

Beer, K. E., 1978, Mineralisation in the Teign Valley, 78 (Article in Serial). SDV310939.

Lead-barytes worked here.

Dudley, E. R., 1982, Metal mining in the Teign Valley (Worksheet). SDV310914.

Agricultural Development Advisory Service, 1995, Recording sheet (Worksheet). SDV296083.

(03/03/1995) Trial pit at SX 8264 8707 associated with mine; filled with water and covered with metal grate.

Bodman, M., 2015, Mills on the Teign. A gazetteer of water-powered sites on the Teign and Bovey and their tributaries, 42 (Monograph). SDV360401.

Birch Aller Mine, SX 826 869. Silver-lead mine active in the 1850s. Remains noted, including the restored chimney stack. The engine shaft was sunk in April 1851 and had reached a depth of 30 fathoms by June 1852. The venture was unsuccessful and was up for sale in 1855 when a 30 foot waterwheel was noted, along with 30inch pumping engine and other machinery.

Ordnance Survey, 2024, Mastermap 2024 (Cartographic). SDV365834.

Modern map shows the remains of the stack (marked as 'air shaft'), mine buildings etc. but does not otherwise note the site of the mine.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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