Reference code: GB-0033-BRA-1118
Title: Stanhope Lead Mines deeds (BRA 1118)
Dates of creation: 1683-1838
Extent: 74 items
Held by: Durham University Library, Archives and Special Collections
Origination: lead mines around Stanhope, Co. Durham.
Deeds, letters and papers relating to lead mines and their owners and operators in Stanhope parish, Co. Durham named Birks Grove, Coves, Dodd, Thimbleby Hill, and others at Low Bishopley, and also in Northumberland at Bulbeck Manor.
Deposited through the British Records Association (1118) in 1960 and 1962 by Messrs Payne, Hicks, Beach & Co., solicitors, 10 New Square, Lincoln's Inn.
Material split into deeds and other documents, and then arranged chronologically.
Deeds1
Abstracts of Deeds relating to the Title to Bishopley Lead Mines, under Mowbray's freehold land called the Groves.
1(a)
1683/4-1835.
13ff.
1(b)
1685-1736.
Paper 2ff.
1(c)
1686-1822.
8ff.
1(d)
1686-1713.
Paper 3ff.
1(e)
1706-1801.
Paper 5ff.
(f)
1706-1835.
9ff.
1(g)
1706-1770.
12ff.
1(h)
1706-1746.
Paper 2ff.
1 (i)
1707-1713.
Paper 2ff.
2. (a) 30 September 1679
Copy of the will of Thomas Powell the Elder of Sheildash or Shieldfield in Weardale.
Paper 3ff.
2(b) 30 July 1684
Copy of the will of Thomas Powell the Younger with extract of Probate attached, proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury 1691/2.
Paper 2ff.
3 1 January 1683/4
(1) John Mowbray
(2) Robert Mowbray
Lease for 21 years by (1) to (2) of a Newhouse in the parish of Stanhope with closes called Bridging Flatt, Barnarde Gate meadow, Cattling east browne daile, groves, high field foote, and killcroft, with conditions about lime, manure and
damage.
Paper 3ff.
4
Deeds concerning the following:
(1) Anthony Wall
(2) Thomas Powell
4 (a) 3 December 1685
Lease for 1 year by (1) to (2) of lead mines in Stanhope within his messuage called the Coves.
Parchment 1 m.
4 (b) 3 December 1685
Bond: (2) is bound in the sum of £140 to pay to (1) the sum of £70.
Paper 2ff.
4 (c) 4 December 1685
Release by (1) to (2) of lead mines in Stanhope.
Parchment 1 m.
4 (d) 4 December 1685
Bond: (1) is bound in the sum of £140 to observe the conditions of the above-mentioned Release.
Parchment 1 m.
5 17 December 1685
(1) Humphrey Wharton
(2) Thomas Powell
Conveyance by (1) to (2) of lead mine at Stanhope called Coves Mine.
Parchment 1 m.
6
Deeds concerning the following:
(1) Thomas Wadeson of Thimbley Hill, Stanhope parish
(2) Thomas Powell of St Mary Aldermany London and Sheildash
6 (a) 9 June 1686
Memorandum of agreement for transfer by (1) to (2) of lead mines in Stanhope (place not mentioned but boundaries detailed).
Paper 1f.
6 (b) 9 June 1686
Promissory note by (2) to (1) for £29 8s 6d, with payment noted on the dorse.
6 (c) [?9 June 1686]
Draft Conveyance by (1) to (2) of lead mines at Stanhope, being all his interests in any mines there that he has now or ought to have, for £30.
Paper 2ff.
6 (d) 6 November 1686
Note of an agreement made between (1) and (2) concerning the same land as in (a), consideration £30.
6 (e) 9 May 1687
Receipt from (1) for (2)'s payment of £30.
Paper, 2f + wrapper
6 (f) [?1687]
Paper inscribed “Wadsones agreem' abt a Leadmine with his receipt” .
7 9 June 1686
(1) John Mowbray
(2) Thomas Powell
Memorandum of Agreement for the conveyance by (1) to (2) of a lead mine at Stanhope.
Paper 2ff.
8
Deeds concerning the following:
(1) Thomas Powell
(2) Anthony Wall
8 (a) 1 January 1690/91
Lease for one year by (1) to (2) of lead mines at Stanhope, the Coves mine.
Parchment 1 m.
8 (b) 6 January 1690/91
Release by (1) to (2) of lead mines in the Parish of Stanhope.
Parchment 1 m.
8 (c) 6 January 1690/91
Indenture of Defeazance.
Confirmation by (1) of (2)'s possession of lead mines in Stanhope.
Parchment 1 m.
8 (d) 6 January 1690/91
Bond: (2) is bound to (1) in the sum of £140 to fulfil the obligations contained in the above-mentioned Release.
Paper 2ff.
9 18 October 1704
Licence to dig for lead ore at Groaves, Stanhope, given by Andrew Kennedy to John Mowbray.
Paper 1f.
10
Deeds concerning the following:
(1) Frances Shaftoe
(2) Andrew Kennedy and Barbara, his wife
10 (a) 9 September 1706
Lease of one year by (1) to (2) of lead mines at Low Bishopley, Stanhope on freehold land [belonging to John Mowbray, probably the Groves].
Parchment 1 m.
10 (b) 10 September 1706
Release by (1) to (2) of the above property.
Parchment 1 m.
11
Deeds concerning the following:
(1) Andrew Kennedy and Barbara, his wife
(2) John Mowbray
11(a) 3 October 1707
Lease for 21 years by (1) to (2) of lead mines known as the Groaves, Low Bishopley.
Parchment 1 m.
11 (b) 3 October 1707
Copy of the above lease.
Paper 4ff.
12 10 August 1713
(1) Andrew Kennedy and Barbara, his wife
(2) William Emmerson
Thomas Colpitts
John Chapman
Counterpart of lease for 21 years by (1) to (2) of lead mines known as the Groaves in Low Bishopley.
Parchment 1 m.
13 21 September 1720
(1) Andrew Kennedy and Barbara, his wife
(2) Ralph Proud
Lease by (1) to (2) for 21 years of a lead mine at Stanhope known as Thimbleby Hill.
Paper 1f.
14 5 November 1726
(1) Andrew Kennedy and Barbara, his wife
(2) William Emmerson
John Morgan
John Chapman
Thomas Errington.
Lease for 21 years by (1) to (2) of lead mines in Low Bishopley known as the Groaves.
1m
15
Deeds concerning the following:
(1) Andrew Kennedy, Barbara, his wife
Archibald Kennedy, their son
(2) Peregrine Henzell
Thomas Wycliffe
15 (a) 27 March 1727
Attested Copy of Lease for one year by (1) to (2) of several closes and houses in Aydon, Corbridge and Stanhope.
Paper 4ff.
15 (b) 28 March 1727
(1) Andrew Kennedy, and Barbara, his wife
Archibald Kennedy, their son
(2) Elizabeth Carr
(3) Peregrine Henzell
Thomas Wycliffe
Attested copy of the Release by (1) to (3) of the above properties, with provisions for the interests of (2) after her marriage to Archibald Kennedy.
8ff.
16 24 February 1736/37
(1) Andrew Kennedy and Barbara, his wife
(2) William Rippon
Lease for 21 years by (1) to (2) of lead mines in Stanhope known as the Dodd.
Parchment 1 m.
17 14 February 1739/40
Bond made between:
(1) Barbara Kennedy
(2) Archibald Kennedy
(3) Jane Richardson
(1) and (2) are bound in the sum of £200 to pay £100 to (3).
Paper 2ff.
18 1 March 1739/40
(1) Archibald Kennedy
(2) Thomas Westgarth
Lease by (1) to (2) for 21 years of the Coves Mine, Stanhope.
Parchment 1 m.
19
Deeds concerning the following:
(1) Margery Wilkinson
Christopher Wilkinson, her son
(2) Archibald Kennedy
19 (a) 10 March 1739/40
Lease by (1) to (2) for one year of the Coves mines, Stanhope.
1m
(b) 11 March 1739/40
Release by (1) to (2) of the above property.
Parchment 1 m.
20
Deeds concerning the following:
(1) Barbara Kennedy
(2) John Morgan
John Chapman
Thomas Errington
Archibald Kennedy
20 (a) 17 April 1742
Lease by (1) to (2) for 21 years of lead mines in Low Bishopley known as the Groaves.
1m
20 (b) 1742
Draft of the above Lease.
11ff.
21
Deeds concerning the following:
(1) Barbara Kennedy
(2) Jane Richardson
21 (a) 2 June 1746
Lease for one year by (1) to (2) of a lead mine in Low Bishopley [Groves mine].
Parchment 1 m.
21 (b) 3 June 1746
Release by (1) to (2) of the above property.
Parchment 1 m.
22 27 July 1770
(1) Grey Cooper
Elizabeth, his wife
Barbara Kennedy
Lucy Kennedy
(2) Leonard Bradwell
Anthony Richardson
John Hutchinson
George Richardson
Lease for 21 years by (1) to (2) of a lead mine in Low Bishopley know as the Groaves.
Parchment 2 mm.
23
Deeds concerning the following:
(1) Jane Richardson
(2) George Lisle
Thomas Davidson
(3) Grey Cooper
23 (a) 15 October 1770
Lease for a year by (1) to (2) of a lead mine at Low Bishopley, Stanhope [Groves mine].
Parchment 1 m.
23 (b) 16 October 1770
Release by (1) to (2) of the above property.
Parchment 1 m.
23 (c) 9 November 1770
Declaration by (2) that the above property is held in trust for (3).
Parchment 1 m.
24 8 February 1788
(1) George Baker
(2) Henry Errington
Joseph Liddel
Lease for 21 years by (1) to (2) of a lead mine at Bulbeck Manor, Northumberland.
Parchment 2 mm.
25 19 April 1822
(1) Sir William Cooper
Lucy Kennedy
Frederick Grey Cooper
(2) Joseph Garthwaite
William Wilson
Edward Garthwaite
Francis White
Matthew Gibbon
Counterpart of a Lease for 21 years by (1) to (2) of a lead mine in Low Bishopley, know as the Grooves.
4m.
26
Deeds concerning the following:
(1) Sir William Cooper
Frederick Grey Cooper
(2) Thomas Walker
William Gascoign
26 (a) 11 June 1835
Lease for 21 years by (1) to (2) of lead mines in Low Bishopley known as the Grooves.
4m.
26 (b) 11 June 1835
Draft of above lease.
16ff.
27
Deeds concerning the following:
(1) Sir Frederick Grey Cooper
(2) Dame Mary Anne Honywood
(3) The Revd. Edmund Dawkins and Elizabeth, his wife
27 (a) 28 June 1836
Articles of Agreement between (1), (2) and (3) concerning certain minerals at Low Bishopley, refers to No.10 [the Groves].
Paper 2ff.
27 (b) June 1836
Draft of above Articles of Agreement.
Paper 5ff.
28
Deeds concerning the following:
(1) Sir Frederick Cooper
Dame Mary Ann Honywood
The Revd. Edward Dawkins and Elizabeth, his wife
(2) Thomas Walker
28 (a) 25 April 1838
Contract for the Assignment by (1) to (2) of the Lease on lead mines in Low Bishopley known as the Grooves.
Paper 2ff.
28 (b) 7 April 1838
Draft of the above Contract.
Paper 4ff.
29 1838
(1) Helen Davidson
Elizabeth Davidson
Catherine Davidson
(2) Dame Mary Honywood
The Revd. Edward Dawkins and Elizabeth, his wife
(3) Sir Frederick Grey Cooper
(4) Thomas Walker
(5) A.B.
Draft release by (1) to (4) with remainder to (5), at the request of (2) and (3), of [Groves] lead mines in Low Bishopley, with certain specified trusts.
19ff.
Papers30 26 March 1684
Copy inventory of the assets and liabilities of Thomas Powell.
Paper 2ff.
Associated will: 2a above.
31 1686
Some business notes of Thomas Powell
Paper 6ff.
32 27 May 1690
Receipt for £1. 3s. 5d. given by Ralph Walton to Thomas Powell of Sheildash.
Paper 1f.
33 29 September 1730
Letter concerning the affairs of Thomas Powell, written by Thos. Wilkinson, creditor of Powell.
Paper 2ff.
34 1685 - 1736
Various copies of Mr. Wilkinson's accounts on business matters concerning Messrs. Powell and Wall.
7ff.
35 8 November 1763
Copy letter from Thomas Maughan to Henry Richmond concerning the state of a lead mine at Birks Grove.
Paper 1f.
36 31 [sic] November 1792
Letter from William Soppit to Messrs. Davidson with regard to the lead mines at Low Bishopley (Groves and Birks Vein).
Paper 2ff.
37 7 January 1793
Letter from William Donkin to Thomas Davidson concerning the mines at Stanhope.
Paper 2ff.
[For some letters between 1800 and 1822, see under No. 49 and 1821-1829 under No.74 ]
38 9 January 1836
Copy letter from Willis and Swinburne, lawyers in Gateshead, to J(ohn) Wilkinson concerning Bishopley Lead Mine.
Paper 2ff.
39 15 January 1836
Letter from Robert Pitches to John Wilkinson concerning the death of Sir William Cooper.
Paper 2ff.
40 11 March 1836
Letter from Robert Pitches to John Wilkinson concerning Bishopley lead mines mentioning an abstract of title.
Paper 2ff.
41A 21 March 1836
Letter from Thomas Walker of Gibside, an agent of John Bowes esq, son of the earl of Strathmore, and co-lessee from F.G. Cooper esq of Barton Grange, Taunton, to Mr. Wilkinson concerning leadmines at Birks Vein, Low Bishopley, Weardale and
interference in his operations by rival claimants.
Paper 2ff.
41B 9 January 1836
Copy of No.38.
41C Copy covering letter from Thomas Walker to F.G. Cooper's new lawyer, Mr Wilkinson, enclosing a copy of his letter to Cooper of 21 March 1836.
42 28 March 1836
Copy letter from Sir F(rederick) Cooper to Robert Pitches concerning the Title of some mines at Stanhope - Birks Vein, Low Bishopley - referring to No.41A and stating that he will defend his title.
Paper 2ff.
43 9 April 1836
Letter from Thomas Walker to Messrs. Lake, Wilkinson and Lake concerning the title of lead mines at Stanhope, explaining that Birks Vein and Groves Mine, the mines under George Mowbray's land and under the Low Bishopley estate, are all the same
property, and refering to the plan in No.58.
Paper 2ff.
44 25 April 1836
Letter from Thomas Walker to Messrs. Lake, Wilkinson and Lake concerning the lead mining in Stanhope, the possibility of a law suit, and that rival claimants have damaged the mine.
Paper 2ff.
45 20 June 1836
Letter from Thomas Walker to Messrs. Lake, Wilkinson and Lake concerning the lead mines at Stanhope and their great value.
Enclosed is a copy letter of 18 June 1836 sent by Walker to Sir F.G. Cooper about the title to Birks Vein which extends beyond Birks Field.
Paper 2ff.
46 June 1836
Family Tree of Aaron Franks, also Cooper, Donkin and Honeywood. (Isabella Franks married Sir W.H. Cooper.)
Paper 1f.
47 23 August 1836
Letter from Thomas Walker to Messrs. Lake, Wilkinson and Lake concerning the lead mines at Stanhope at Birks Vein, reporting good progress (in considerable technical detial).
Paper 2ff.
48 (a) 5 September 1836
Evidence of workings of the lead mines at Low Bishopley over the previous 50 years and more, received for the purpose of ascertaining the heirs of Sir Grey Cooper.
13ff.
48 (b)
Copy of the above.
8ff.
49 12 September 1836
Copy of correspondence re Bishopley Mines taken by Mr. Leadbitter, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Paper 6ff.
(a) 1 December 1821
Letter from Robert Pitches to Thomas Davidson, Solicitor.
49 (b) 6 December 18(21)
Letter from Thomas Davidson to Thomas Hopper.
49 (c) 6 December 1821
Letter from Thomas Davidson to Robert Pitches.
49 (d) 11 December 1821
Letter from Robert Leadbitter (for Thomas Davidson) to Thomas Hopper.
49 (e) 15 December 1821
Letter from Thomas Hopper to Robert Leadbitter.
49 (f) 31 December 1821
Letter from Robert Pitches to Thomas Davidson.
49 (g) 12 May 1800
Letter from John Davidson to Sir Grey Cooper about rents from Belton Banks etc 1798-1799.
49 (h) 18 June 1801
Letter from John Davidson to Sir Grey Cooper.
49 (i) 7 January 1822
Letter from Robert Pitches to Thomas Davidson.
49 (j) 1 January 1822
Letter from William Wilson to Sir William Cooper.
49 (k) 7 January 1822
Letter from Robert Leadbitter (for Thomas Davidson) to Robert Pitches.
49 (l) 9 January 1822
Letter from Robert Leadbitter to Robert Pitches.
49 (m) 14 January 1822
Letter from Robert Pitches to Robert Leadbitter and Thomas Davidson
49 (n)
Copy of Draft Bills of Charges in this business, 1821-1822.
50 12 September 1836
Letter from Robert Leadbitter to Messrs. Lake, Wilkinson and Lake concerning the Low Bishopley estate and legal matters connected with the same, and mentioning a plan of the area made by Thomas Bell, surveyor, of Durham.
Paper 2ff.
51 20 September 1836
Draft letter from (John Wilkinson) of 10 Lincolns Inn to (Mr. Leadbitter) concerning Bishopley lead mines.
Paper 3ff.
52. (a) 14 November 1836
Copy notice to desist from mining operations at Bishopley served by Thomas Walker and William Gascoigne on:
(i) Joseph Walton
(ii) John Kiddy
(iii) Thomas Waugh
(iv) Joseph Waugh
(v) Joseph Ridley
(vi) John Walton
(vii) Emerson Featherston
(viii) Richard Pears
(ix) Nicholas Temperley
(x) John Stout
(xi) Percival Forster
(xii) Whitfield Kiddy
(xiii) William Stout
Paper 2ff.
52 (b)
Notes of times, places and witnesses to the delivery of the notice to those concerned.
Paper 3ff.
52 (c) 27 October 1836
Copy letter from Percival Forster to Robert Leadbitter defying Sir G. Cooper's claims and requiring compensation for surface damage.
52 (d)
Draft of the notice to desist.
On the back of a list of dates titled “Sittings previous to Michaelmas Term 1835 before the Vice Chancellor at Lincolns Inn” .
53 23 November 1836
Covering letter from Robert Leadbitter to Messrs. Lake, Wilkinson and Lake concerning Low Bishopley lead mines, sent with No.52.
Paper 2ff.
54 7 December 1836
List of places at Low Bishopley where shafts had been sunk for the purpose of lead mining.
Paper 1f.
55 15 December 1836
Draft statement of Case as to a right in minerals, drawn up by Messrs Lake, Wilkinson and Lake.
Written on the back of a list of dates entitled “Sittings previous to Michaelmas Term 1835 before the Vice Chancellor at Lincolns Inn” .
Paper 5ff.
56 20 December 1836
Instructions by Messrs. Lake, Wilkinson and Lake to Counsel, Mr. Erle to advise on mineral rights at Low Bishopley and his Advice endorsed thereon.
Paper 6ff.
57 1836
Letter from Edward Dawkins to John Wilkinson concerning the ownership of mines at Stanhope and arranging a meeting with Sir Frederic Cooper's nieces who share his rights in Bishopley.
Paper 2ff.
58 1836
Plan of Low Bishopley Estate showing position of workings.
Paper 1f.
Probably originally enclosed in No. 36 where it is referred to as being made by Thomas Bell, surveyor.
59 6 January 1837
Copy Opinion of Counsel, Mr. Erle on the question of title concerning the mines at Bishopley.
Paper 2ff.
60 24 June 1837
Letter from Robert Leadbitter to Messrs. Lake, Wilkinson and Lake concerning a report of Birks Leadmine, Low Bishopley, advising that the mine be sold to the owner of the surface. Enclosed are the report of George Crawhall on Binks lead mine
dated 17 June 1837 and a sketch plan of the vein.
Paper 2ff.
61 6 January 1838
Letter from Robert Leadbitter to Messrs. Lake, Wilkinson and Lake concerning Bishopley Mines, asking what price their clients would require for their interest in Bishopley as Thomas Walker is interested in buying it.
Paper 2ff.
62 13 January 1838
Letter from Robert Leadbitter to Messrs. Lake, Wilkinson and Lake on Bishopley Mines, also containing a copy of a letter from Thomas Walker to Robert Leadbitter offering £500 for the Cooper interest.
Paper 2ff.
63 31 January 1838
Letter from Robert Leadbitter to Messrs. Lake, Wilkinson and Lake concerning Low Bishopley Mines stating that Walker will continue to work Binks mine as tenant.
Paper 2ff.
64 12 February 1838
Letter from Robert Leadbitter to Messrs. Lake, Wilkinson and Lake concerning Bishopley Mines, reporting that Crawhall did not charge for his report on the mines which Leadbitter thinks are not rich.
Paper 2ff.
65. (a) 19 March 1838
Letter from M.A. Honywood to John Wilkinson concerning legal affairs, reporting that Lady Honeywood and her uncle, Sir F. Cooper, have now decided to sell their interest in the mine.
Paper 2ff.
65 (b) 26 March 1838
Letter from M.A . Honywood to John Wilkinson on legal affairs, reporting that Mr and Mrs Dawkins have also agreed to sell their share in the mine.
Paper 3ff.
66 6 April 1838
Letter from F(rederick) Cooper to J. Wilkinson, agreeing to accept Thomas Walker's offer of £750 for his share in Bishopley mines, with conditions.
Paper 2ff.
67 9 April 1838
Letter from (Sir) F(rederick) Cooper to John Wilkinson on legal affairs and particularly his own pedigree.
Paper 2ff.
68 21 April 1838
Letter from (Sir) F(rederick) Cooper to John Wilkinson concerning the sale of the lead mine at Stanhope, enquiring if Thomas Walker will adhere to his offer of £750.
Paper 2ff.
69 25 April 1838
Letter from (Sir) F(rederick) Cooper to John Wilkinson regarding the sale of mineral rights, agreeing to accept Thomas Walker's offer of £800.
Paper 2ff.
70 23 June 1838
Backsheet of Instructions by Messrs. Lake, Wilkinson and Lake to Counsel, Mr. Burnett for advice on a proposed conveyance of the mine at Low Bishopley.
Paper 2ff.
71 30 June 1838
Letter from A. Davison to Messrs. Lake, Wilkinson and Lake concerning the conveyance drafted between Sir F.G. Cooper et al and Thomas Walker.
Paper 2ff.
72 [1836]
Family Tree from Andrew and Barbara Kennedy.
Paper 1f.
73 [1694 and after]
Evidence of workings in the Mines of Cuthbert Wall (named in his brother Anthony Wall's will proved 1694) by John Chisim and George and Thomas Robson.
Paper 2ff.
74 No date
Heads of correspondence relating to the lead mines at Low Bishopley, November 1821 - March 1829.
Paper 4ff.
