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THE 
 
 SMELTING OF COPPER 
 
 IN 
 
 "THE SWANSEA DISTRICT." 
 
UNIVERSITY 
 

 SMELTING opCOPPER 
 
 IN THE 
 
 SWANSEA DIST 
 
 OF 
 
 SOUTH 
 
 FROM 
 
 THE TIME OF ELIZAB 
 
 TO 
 
 THE PRESENT DAY: 
 
 BY 
 
 COL. GRANT- FRANCIS, F.S.A, 
 
 < 1 
 
 JUSTICE OF THE PEACE FOR TH. COUNTY OF GLAMORGAN, 
 
 AND BOROUGH OF SWANSEA; 
 V. PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL INSTITUTION OF SOUTH WALES, 
 
 CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF SCOTLAND, 
 AND THE WELSH MSS. SOCIETY, 
 
 AUTHOR OF " SWANSEA CHARTERS ;" "NEATH AND ITS ABBEY;" 
 
 11 MEMOIR OF HENRY DE GOWER, BISHOP OF ST. DAVID'S," 
 
 ETC., ETC. 
 
 " Of the entire make of Copper in Great Britain, fully Nine-tenths appeal 
 to be smelted in the Swansea District." PHILLIPS. 
 
 SECOND EDITION. 
 
 fillustratefc. 
 
 HENRY SOTHERAN & CO. 
 
 LONDON AND MANCHESTER. 
 I 88 I. 
 
LONDON : 
 
 PRITCHETT AND TAYLOR, MEDIEVAL PRINTERS, 
 
 y?7^ 
 
 CITY, E.G. 
 
TO 
 
 is 
 
 RICHNESS 
 
 Albert (gbfoartr, frinre 0f 
 
 DUKE OF CORNWALL, K.G., 
 THIS WORK 
 
 IS HUMBLY DEDICATED 
 BY HIS OBLIGED AND GRATEFUL SERVANT, 
 
 GEORGE GRANT-FRANCIS. 
 
 NEW ATHEX.EUM CLUB, 
 
 PALL MALL EAST, 
 
 LONDON, October, 1881. 
 
Cg*HE First Edition of this Work, issued in 
 ^^ the year 1867, was limited to a very small 
 impression. It was presented in its entirety to 
 friends and Public Institutions, and was thus ex- 
 hausted within a week or two of its publication. 
 
 The Author continues his History of the In- 
 dustry through the earlier parts of the present 
 century to our own day, sketching the establish- 
 ment of individual works, describing their locali- 
 ties and furnishing the names of promoters, 
 partners, and ground landlords, with other 
 information of a like nature. 
 
 Here, too, will be found the names of those 
 Nobles, Knights, and others, who joined in 
 starting that grand old Company, the " Mines 
 Royal," in 1580, as well as the strange powers 
 granted by the Crown to those Associations from 
 which such great results sprung and have con- 
 tinued to this time. In addition to those from 
 Elizabeth's reign, charters of the like nature are 
 quoted down to the period of Queen Anne, and 
 most interesting extracts taken from the private 
 day-books and ledgers of those eras are given in 
 elucidation of the text. 
 
 An Appendix supplies much matter of cognate 
 interest; e.g*> the Copper, brass, and silver 
 coinage of the " Token" period, carefully 
 registered from originals belonging to the 
 Author, and by him presented to the Royal 
 Institution Museum at Swansea, 
 
VI. 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The Author having commenced his search in the Public 
 Record Office, found himself rewarded by a mass of evidences 
 from which he has given verbatim transcripts of a most 
 valuable character of what he may justly term proofs direct 
 from Queen Elizabeth's Customer, Smythe, and the Founders 
 of this important Industry, of their relations with their Em- 
 ployes, which, he believes, had not before been made public, 
 embracing details of the most interesting nature in a social and 
 mercantile sense, together with much that is extremely curious 
 in reference to the manipulation of mines, furnaces, and the 
 chemistry in practice, during* the active reign of that Queen. 
 In these days of disagreement between masters and men, 
 much may be gathered of lively interest from these original 
 letters, illustrative of the confidence with which the employers 
 and workmen then co-operated "in the trust that the Mynes 
 may prospere, that good greement may exist to set the work 
 forward, whereby they may all have profitt, and the common- 
 wealth be maintained to God's honer." 
 
 Evidence is also produced, derived (amongst other sources) 
 from the letters of Mr. Secretary Walsingham, showing how 
 greatly the English of those early days of the trade were 
 indebted to the " Germans," or " Dutch," from their then 
 gkilled knowledge in metallurgy, 
 
vii. 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 To THE FIRST EDITION. 
 
 For some years past the early history of the Metal 
 manufactures of this country has received considerable 
 attention from topographers, antiquaries, and metallurgists, 
 and it cannot be denied but that the germ, growth, and final 
 settlement of any great staple trade must be a subject of 
 considerable interest to a numerous class of readers amongst 
 " a nation of shopkeepers " ; more especially so to the Dis- 
 trict in which the particular manufacture has proved a settled 
 success. 
 
 When years ago compiling the materials for my " History 
 af Neath and its Abbey," the manufacture of Copper in that 
 locality naturally attracted my serious attention, and I gave 
 to the public in that work such information as I had then 
 obtained ; the accounts however were meagre, the result 
 unsatisfactory. Since that period I have never ceased my 
 searching, and when Dr. Percy prepared the first volume of 
 his admirable work on Metallurgy in 1861, I placed at his 
 disposal all the materials I had up to that time accumulated, 
 and much of which may be there perused (vide page 289 et 
 seq.} Still the result was unsatisfactory. Carew, the Cornish 
 historian, had left it as a fact that " copper ore was, in the 
 early part of the zyth century,, sent into Wales to be refined," 
 and it has been inferred that the art had attained considerable 
 development at or near Neath long prior to its introduction 
 into Swansea. The learned Dr. concludes by saying "It 
 must however be left to future antiquarian researches to elicit 
 more precise evidence on this subject than we at present 
 possess." 
 
viii. 
 
 Little as was certain with respect to the topography of the 
 matter, still less is known of the modus operandi by which the 
 process of Copper Smelting was conducted at its first settle- 
 ment on the great coal-field of the eastern margin of Swansea 
 Bay in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. 
 
 The evidences which I have recently discovered in that 
 great repertory of historical lore, the Record Office, will, I 
 venture to submit, be entirely new and of very high interest, 
 and though I have been urged to send them to other channels 
 of general information, I have selected the Cambrian not 
 only as the earliest organ of the Copper Trade in this locality, 
 but because it always generously opened its columns to the 
 public for this and other cognate subjects for more than sixty 
 years. 
 
 I had long held an opinion that we were greatly indebted 
 to the Germans for our success in Copper Smelting, and so 
 expressed myself when writing on Copper Smoke in August, 
 1865. I find Dr. Percy 'has given the same opinion in his 
 Preface. The following original documents will prove the 
 correctness of those surmises. 
 
be. 
 
 of 
 
 WERE, BY THE AUTHOR, PRESENTED TO 
 THE FOLLOWING GENTLEMEN AND LIBRARIES: 
 
 BRITISH MUSEUM LIBRARY, London. 
 BODLEIAN LIBRARY, Oxford. 
 BISHOP GORE'S SCHOOL LIBRARY, 
 
 Swansea. 
 
 CHEETHAM'S LIBRARY, Manchester. 
 ROYAL SOCIETY'S LIBRARY, London. 
 ROYAL INSTITUTION LIBRARY, Swansea. 
 THE MUSEUM OF PRACTICAL GEOLOGY, 
 
 London. 
 SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES' LIBRARY, 
 
 London. 
 THE AUTHOR'S LIBRARY, Cae Bailey, 
 
 Swansea. 
 
 THE PUBLIC LIBRARY, Neath. 
 THE GENERAL LIBRARY, Truro. 
 
 BATH AND SON, Mining Office, Swansea. 
 BIDDULPH, J., Dderwenfawr, Swansea. 
 BIRD, G. E., Coleridge House, Swansea. 
 BRUCE, Rt. Hon. H. A., M.P., Dutfryn, 
 
 Aberdare. 
 BUDD, E., Portland Place, London. 
 
 CAMERON, N. P., Mayalls, Swansea. 
 CHRISTOE, W. H., Poltisko, Truro. 
 
 DILLWYN, L. LI., F.L.S., M.P., Hendre- 
 foilan, Swansea. 
 
 EDMOND W., Mines Royal Works, Neath. 
 ELFORD, T., Copper Ore Wharf, Swansea. 
 
 FRANCIS, J. R., Cae Bailey, Swansea. 
 FRANCIS, G.G., jun., Cae Bailey, Swansea. 
 FRANCIS, A. W., Kensington, London. 
 FALCONER, T., County Court Judge, 
 Swansea. 
 
 
 GILBERTSON, W., Pontardawe, Swansea. 
 GRIFFITHS, T. D., M.D., Dynevor Place, 
 
 Swansea. 
 GWYN, H., M.A., M.P., Duffryn House, 
 
 Neath. 
 
 HILL, B., Clydach, Swansea. 
 HUNT, R., F.R.S., School of Mines, 
 London. 
 
 JENKIN, J. T., Miranda, Swansea. 
 JOHNS, W., Water-street, Neath. 
 JOSEPH, J., F.S.A., The Bulwark, Brecon. 
 
 KEMPTHORNE, J., London Road, Neath. 
 KNIGHT, Rev. H. H., B.D., Rectory, 
 Neath. 
 
 LOGAN, Sir W. E., F.R.S., F.G.S., 
 
 Montreal, Canada. 
 LONG, W. H., Surgeon, Swansea. 
 
 MICHAEL, W. H., Harrowhill, London. 
 MINING JOURNAL, London. 
 
 NEWTON, KEATS AND Co., St. Helens, 
 Liverpool. 
 
 PADDON, J., M.D., The Laurels, Swansea. 
 PERCY, J., M.D., F.R.S., School of Mines, 
 
 London. 
 PHILLIPS, THOMAS, Mayor of Swansea. 
 
 REEKES, T., School of Mines, London. 
 RICHARDS, E. M., Brooklands, Swansea. 
 RICHARDSON AND Co., Copper Ore 
 
 Wharves, Swansea. 
 RICHARDSON, JAMES, Swansea. 
 ROWLAND, D., Sydenham, London. 
 ROGERS, P. BURRS, Swansea. 
 
 VIVIAN, H. H., F.G.S., M.P., Parkwera, 
 Swansea. 
 
 WALTER, JAMES, Uplands, Swansea. 
 WILLIAMS, H. W., Cambrian Office, 
 
 Swansea. 
 
 WILLIAMS, J., Waterloo-street, Swansea. 
 WILLIAMS, JOSHUA, Aberdyllis, Neath. 
 
I. Swansea and Copper Works, from the Sea. 
 
 (Exhibited in the Royal A cademy, 1880.; \_Fadng Title Pag6< 
 
 II. The Armorials of H.R.H. Albert Edward, 
 
 Prince of Wales, on the Plate dedicatory. iii. 
 
 III. Customer Smythe, temp. Eliz. . . . . . I 
 
 IV. The Magnates of the Copper Trade in early 
 
 part of iqth Century .. .. .. .. 35 
 
 V. Works at Glasmount 104 
 
 (By J. W. M. TURNER, R.A.) 
 
 VI. The Llangavelach Copper Works, 1745 .. 106 
 VII. The White- Rock Copper Works, Kilvey, 1744. 116 
 
 Vlll. View of the Hafod Works, Swansea, 1881. 
 
 Established 1810 136 
 
 iyL.The English and Danish Arms, blended .. 150 
 
 X. Tokens of Brass, Copper and Silver, between 
 
 1666 and 1813 161 
 
 XI. An Autotype of" General Court of the Welch 
 Copper Company, at the Sadlers* Hall, 
 Londsn, in 1722 " . . . . . . . . 171 
 
 XII . The A rmorials of H.R.H. A lexandr a, Princess 
 
 of Wales .. .. .. .. .. .. 172 
 
 XIII. Swansea Town, Harbour and Bay .. .. t'6. 
 
 (In the Royal Academy Exhibition, i88o.,/ 
 
 XIV. The Arms of the Port of Swansea .. .. 173 
 
 XV. Plan of Swansea Port and Bay, with the Ports 
 adjacent, including Docks and Railways, 
 and the neighbouring parts useful by way 
 of reference herein .. , t , . , . 175 
 
UNIVERSITY 
 
THO! SMYTH ESQ R 
 
 CHIEF CUSTOMER OF LONDON TO QUEEN ELIZABETH. 
 
 AND FOUNDER OF THE COPPER TRADE IN THE SWANSEA DISTRICT, 
 
 A.D. Ifi84. 
 
 FROM THE ORIGINAL IN POSSESSION OF HIS DESCENDANT, 
 THE RIGHT HON. THE LATE V I SCOUNT STRANGFORD, P.5.A. 
 
UNIVERSITY 
 
 n 
 Smelting of cropper in j&outl) 
 
 i. 
 
 MR. WILLIAM CARNSEWE TO MR. SMYTH. 
 
 15 JANUARY, 1583. 
 In te d'nie in te d'nie. Emanuell in d'nio 
 
 Confide speram' nos. 
 
 I thanke yow for yo'r good int'taynm't and the monyes yow 
 delyveryd me trustynge that yow shall well conceyve that 
 neyther of them is loste thoo it lye a wateign for a time. 
 
 Att my retorne from London to my homlye howse, w'ch was 
 the laste of Nove'b, I mett Mr. Weston's lett'rs from Bewlaye 
 the 17 of the same November, but for that I colde nott speke 
 w'th that messenger nor convenyentlye retorne him answer, I 
 have as yow heer see aft'r the steyll of my rude retheryk 
 wryttyn to hym, w'ch I sende yow unsealyd herew'th becawse 
 yow joyn together in suche maner of actyons that yow maye 
 be p'vye to my delynge w'th him as the case dothe requyre, 
 wherby he may the bett'r resolve hemsellfe what farther to doo 
 in the matt'r, and soo sende me suche hys resolutyons as he 
 shall thynke beste in convenye't tyme. 
 
 Carew, in this very year 1583, was compiling his "Survey 
 of Cornwall," and he thus speaks of Mr. W. Carnsewe, 
 *"A gentleman of good qualitie, discretion, and learning, 
 
 * In May 1582, Mr. Carnsewe wrote to Sir Edw. Stradling, then High 
 Sheriff of Glamorgan, and a person of great influence, on behalf of 
 one Richard Vyvyan, of Trenouitthe, Cornwall, who had been at Neath 
 repairing his ship, but had been diversly molested, etc., etc. He also 
 expresses a hope to see Sir Edward at St. Donatt's. It is quite 
 reasonable to suppose that this had some connection with the new Copper 
 works at Neath. G. G. F., vide Stradling correspondence, p. 271. 
 
 B 
 
2 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 and well experienced in those mynerall causes," p. 17. "He 
 was Quarter-Master to the then Ld. Lt.-General of Cornwall, 
 Sir Walter Raleigh, Knight," p. 83. 
 
 And at p. 127, he further says 
 
 "Aside from Bodmyn, toward the North Sea, sundry 
 gentlemen have there planted their seats, as in St. Kew, 
 Master Carnsewe at Bo-Kelly," etc. " Carnsewe, rightly 
 Carndeaw, purporteth in Cornish, a black rock ; and such a one 
 the heire owneth, which gave name to his auncient possessed 
 maunsion, as the maunsion of his ancestors. His house, Bo- 
 Kelly, may be derived from Both in Cornish, a Goale and 
 Kelly which is lost ; and the Goate he giveth for his armes. 
 This gent's father married the d. of Fitz of Devon, and left 
 behind him three sons, Richard, Mathew and William, with 
 two daughters," etc. G. G. F. 
 
 In Vivian and Drake's edition of the " Visitation of Corn- 
 wall of 1620," published in 8vo., 1874, there is given at p. 35, 
 a pedigree of Carnsewe, through four generations, beginning 
 with Wm. Carnsewe of St. Kew, in Co. Cornwall, who m. 
 Jane, d. of Edw. Stradling, of St. Donat's, in Wales. They 
 had two sons, Wm. and Geo., both of St. Kew, from the latter 
 of whom descended Francis Carnsewe, who was baptized the 
 10 Nov., 1572, and who was living at Thilly, in Cornwall, in 
 1620. The Carnsewe's bore Sable, a goat passant Or. p. 303. 
 
 Yo'r man my frynde Ulryke, folowyd not myn advyse in 
 all poyntys, w'ch I gave hym beffore I rood towardys London, 
 and therffor he is nott in suche a forwardnys in that worke as 
 I thowghte to have founde hym at my retorne, but he 
 knowythe howe to manage his busynys well ynoghe for all 
 that. 
 
 * Memo. Should another Edition come out, I think it would be 
 better on the whole, that the letters and other information to Secretary 
 Walshingham, dated in 1580-1581, should precede the Carnsewe 
 correspondence. But, for the more easy understanding of the subject at 
 large, it is perhaps letter as it is. G. G. F* 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 3 
 
 Mr. Weston's p'vydence in bryngynge hys * Dutche myners 
 J hether to aplye such busynys in this countrye ys more to be 
 comendyd then his ignorance of o'r countrymen's actyvytyes 
 in suche matters, who owte of all p'adventure be as skylfull 
 in mynyge, as harde and dylygent laborers and as good chepe 
 workmen in that kynde of travell as are to be founde in Europe ; 
 wherof to make yow good p'ffe lett the same Mr. Weston's 
 f Germans have some myn assignyd only to them, and lett 
 yo'r Ulryke take suche as he is nowe acquayntyd w'th of owr 
 countrymen, and the sam that wreoght in that worke at 
 Treworthye laste when it was by Burchardys frowardniss 
 gyvyn ov'r, w'che was abowte 23 yerys paste (1560), and let it 
 be consyderyd w'che of them for on hole somers space shall 
 put yow to moste chargys, and gayne yow moste, and soo of 
 them that doo lesse yow shall make yo'r estymacyon by p'ffe. 
 
 Yo'r Ulryke, as hys dutye ys, wyll advertyse yow what is to 
 be donne in these matters that nott wythstandynge yow shall 
 nott be displeasyd w'the me for shewynge yow that it weere 
 good for yow to ord'r yo'r matters soo, as att the begynny'ge 
 of M'che nexte suche mynys as yow wyll have to be wroghte 
 weere sett upon w'the men well orderyd under ther captaynys 
 and guyders that thaye myghte soo contynew untyll the ende 
 of Octob'r or Novemb'r at farthyste, and that ther wagys 
 maye be dulye p'd them att ev'ye monthys ende and such 
 other necessaryes as roopys, iron, talowe, tymb'r, etc' p'vydyd 
 in dewe tyme that theye lacke it nott att need, wherby ther 
 works shall be henderyd, as by Ulrykys experyence it hathe 
 latlye too well byn p'vyd ; soo shall yow by the exspencis of 
 one 1000 merks have good intelligence of the valewe both of 
 owr mynys & men : then maye yow make p'vysyen for 
 erectynge yo'r Meltynge howsys and woodys for cole & fewell 
 as the thynge shall requere to have the same in a redynys a 
 fore hande. 
 
 * f Dutch is here used synonymously with Germans. 
 
 % Hither, i.e., Cornwall. 
 
 B ^ 
 
4 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 Mr. Smythe, yow muste not over charge yo'r Ulryke, he is 
 subjecte to infyrmytes and disseasys, and verye carfful & 
 dylygent in hys busynys ; by ov'r charginge hym yow maye 
 make hym synke under hys burden. I love the man's 
 vertewe, w'che makythe me wryt thys myche unto yow of 
 hym. I shall nev'r recov'r that w'che I have loste by suche 
 ov'r chargynge, therefore I shewe yow that easye labor maye 
 longe indure. 
 
 And thus w'th my humble & hartye reco'me'dacyons I doo 
 co'mende bothe yow & yo'rs to the Grace of Allmyghtye 
 Godd. Bokellye in Cornub', this 15 Januarye A'o 1583, an' 
 computatur, by yo'r 
 
 WILLM. CARNSEWE. 
 
 [Endorsed.] To my good frend Mr. Cornce.* 
 
 II. 
 
 MR. THOS. SMYTH TO MR. CARNSEWE. 
 
 22 NOVEMBER, 1583. 
 
 I am very glad that I have spoken w'th you And also \ for 
 the twoe sheets of paper f you delivered me, w'ch for yo'r 
 good advise therein I wilbe readie to pleasure you any way I 
 may or canne. I find that yo'r opinion carrieth knowledge 
 and skill, w'th experience of the things you write of. I doe 
 determine to followe the same for myri owne parte and will 
 deale w'th my Company, to satisfye them accordingly. There 
 is but myselfe and one more in the cittie and therefore I 
 cannot resolve the entringe into those causes. I doe disburse 
 all the money laid out in the meane while. These causes 
 
 * It is clear that the letter was written to Mr. Smythe ; it was probably 
 Bent to Mr. Cornce afterwards for perusal. Indeed, he is personally 
 indicated in the last paragraph but one. 
 
 t Mr. Carnsewe on the previous page says, he had ridden to London ,' 
 but though I made diligent search for the " twoe sheets of paper " in the 
 Record Office, I could not find them. G, G. F, 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 5 
 
 begonne by Mr. Weston and so I entring into it and others 
 by his cariage delivering us some reasonable reasons for th' 
 entring into that acc'on. I will not forgett to putt him and 
 the rest of owr Company in mynd to deale frendly and kindly 
 with yo'r selfe, Mr. Mohun & Mr. Edgecome, whose company 
 I desier as greatly, as the gaine that shall come thereof. 
 
 Mr. Weston writeth me of yo'r kinde dealinge w'th him 
 and also desireth me to pay you xl/z', or to such as you doe 
 appoynt for the same. Now you beinge here, I will deliver 
 the same unto yo'r selfe, w'th thanks for your pleasuring 
 of him. 
 
 I am also yeld you my hartie thanks for the greate favour 
 and frendshipp you have shewed unto my frend and servaunte 
 Ulricke, who I assure you is a verie honest and skilfull man, 
 and one that I doe much credit for his honesty and his trusty 
 and true dealings. 
 
 I doe send him by you x/i, w'ch I pray you deliver him. 
 I am well assured that Mr. Weston will send him money, for 
 that I have caused a frend of myne to send him twoe hundred 
 pounds in Wales,* parte thereof I am suer he will send to 
 Ulricke. 
 
 Thus I end with my hartie comendac'ons to yo'r selfe. 
 
 Written the xxijth of November, 1583. 
 
 Yo'r lovinge frend, 
 
 THOMAS SMYTH. 
 
 III. 
 
 MR. THOMAS SMYTH TO ULRICK FROSSE. 
 
 17 JUNE, 1584. 
 
 To my lovinge servante, Ulricke Frosse, overseer of ye 
 mineral woorkes at Perin Sands, &c., in Cornwall. 
 
 (Receaved the zith July, 1584.) 
 
 Ulrick, yow shall understande yt Mr. Weston is latelye com 
 * Probably at Neath. 
 
6 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 hether, w'th whome I & ye rest of [my company] have 
 sundry times co'ferred towchinge ye p'ceadings & hoped 
 succes of o'r Cornish mynerals. He putteth us in hope of 
 very greate benefite to arise unto us by ye same, havinge set 
 doune a pamphlet ther'of accordinglye where [he trusjteth 
 (God permittinge) to make better than an h'ndreth tonns 
 waighte of p'fecte copper yerely & the same sett of charges 
 not to stande us in xxv/z' the tonne w'ch is xxvj. the c. weight. 
 
 The Partners do greatly like of his [confidential] offers, 
 albeit in very deede I muste stande somwhat doubtfull how 
 the same will fall oute, & yt by sondrye resons, who 
 [managed the] northern mynes* geve us experience at w'ch 
 place I can not lerne was ev'r made in one yere above 1300 
 of copper . . . but Ixv. tonn weighte and most yers far les, 
 althoughe o'r copper mine there is reported to yelde plentith 
 of owre. What the charges of o'r owre gettinge and makinge 
 into copper will draw to, I muste suspende my judgmente 
 untill I shall hereafter understande the same, by p'ces of 
 time & accompt : yet it is not to be thoughte that o'r owers 
 can be gotten alwaies after one rate, nether in price nor in 
 quantetye, & no doubte many charges will grow about them 
 extraordinary unlocked for. 
 
 Thus muche have I thoughte good to signifie unto yow 
 w'ch I will yow keep to y'r selfe, onlye make my good 
 frinde Mr. Carnsewe previe therunto desiringe his opinion 
 & advice in the same ; and (besids yo'r generall letter w'ch 
 yow ar' to write to S'r W. Winter, f S'r Lionell Ducket 
 & me, of ye state and p'ceadings of these mines, I praye 
 yow fayle not to adv'tice me p'ticulerly & directely) what 
 owrs yow have gotten in all to ye date of y'r next letter, at 
 what mines w'th ye charges and so nier as yow can ges what 
 
 * Probably pointing to Keswick Cum. 
 
 f Winter and Duckett were orig. shareholders in the Mines Royal, see. 
 list of them, Post. 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 7 
 
 standeth yow in ye gettinge of a tonn waight of copper owrs, 
 what goodness yow do thinke ye owrs be in ther co'tent of 
 mettall, also ye likelehode of o'r sev'all copp' mines & what 
 the quantetyes of those owers may yerly be gotten, the same 
 beinge supplied w'th sufficient nomber of miners & thinges 
 thereto necessarye, & generally write me yo'r beste knoledge 
 of ye p'ceadinges, with ye state & likely succes of all yo'r 
 woorkes ; w'ch like adv'ticements I thought to have receaved 
 from yow ye laste terme, but had not one letter, wherof I 
 mervailed, the rather co'sideringe Mr. Weston was appoynted 
 then to be here, when it had bin well donn that ye Partners 
 might have understoode the state of there mines for the better 
 & open dealinge w'th him in those causes : nevertheles upon 
 ye good co'fidence they repose in his honeste care & cunninge, 
 we have made a new supply & assesment every parte aunswer- 
 inge I [100] w'ch w'th suche others as he and his frindes in ye 
 contrye ar to aunswere for, dothe make ye supplye hetherto 
 of those woorkes to amount to xxiiij c/z', & this I thinke to be 
 a sufficient stoke to maintayne those woorkes thoroughly 
 w'thout farder charging us hereafter ; but that we shall now 
 looke after a while to renewer in o'r owre & reape a yerly 
 p'fit, and thus muche ye said Mr. Weston hath firmly 
 p'mised us. 
 
 Roberte Denham, this berer, is sent now doune to yow 
 w'th ye Companies generall letter & instructions w'ch I 
 shall se folowed with co'venient speede, furderinge the 
 same, & let him se & fully surveigh ye mines, makinge him 
 [acquainted] at large of yo'r p'ceadings therein to thende he 
 maye bringe us up a p'fecte reporte therof accordinge to ye 
 instructions delivered him in charge w'th suche lead owrs as 
 he is appoynted to sende up well and surely packed, and to 
 be directed to me at my house. 
 
 Mr. Weston himselfe purposeth to be w'th yow (God 
 p'mittinge) aboute the ende of this moneth by whom yow 
 
8 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 shall understande furder, & so I do co'mit yow to God : fro* 
 my house in Fannchurch Street in London, this xvij of June, 
 
 1584- 
 
 Your master and frinde ; 
 
 THOMAS SMYTH. 
 
 I woulde yow shoulde not imparte the state of o'r Mines 
 by yo'r letters into the north, hence forthe. 
 
 IV. 
 MR. THOMAS SMYTH TO ULRICK FROSSE. 
 
 7 JULY, 1584. 
 
 To my lovinge servaunt, Ulricke Frosse, ov'seer of ye 
 minerall woorkes at Trewoorth, near unto Perin 
 Sandes, in Cornwall. 
 
 (receaved the 2ith of July, 1584.) 
 
 I wrat yow my laste let'r to have binn sent yow by R. 
 Denham w'ch now yow shall receave herewith, because 
 Denham goeth w'th Mr. Weston thorough Wales, & so will 
 both of them be w'th you [soon] (God p'mittinge). I have 
 wreeten yow in my said letters of o'r agreement heere w'th 
 ye said Mr. [Denham] & yt we have furnished him accordinge 
 to his requeste, havinge receaved his p'mise to be no farder 
 charged hereafter, but hopinge shortly & from time to time 
 to receave o'r [moneys] backe agayne & a dayly benifite, 
 w'ch ye Lord God graunte to succede accordingelye, I told 
 you in my laste y't he- accompteth to make p'fecte roughe 
 copper for xxv// the ton waighte, and he p'mised indeed to 
 make it for xv/z', hopinge (by H. Hering's former reports 
 made) to get the owrs for xvs the tonne, whereof iiij. tonnes 
 will make one tonne of copper but nevertheles if he can 
 make it for xx// the tonne no faulte wilbe founde. The feare 
 o'r Partners have is, that we shall not gett owrs in any great 
 quantetye to raise worthy co'moditye, for by yo'r late let'r of 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 9 
 
 ye 17 [of June see ante., p. 5.] receaved by this berer, Mr. 
 Carnsew, it appereth y't yow have not above 50 tonns gotten 
 in all, w'th ye w'ch yow have to gett 20 tonns more before 
 Michelmas next. 
 
 Well now, y't Mr. Weston goeth doune to yow himselfe he 
 will take farder order to have the mines well applied, w'ch is 
 o'r desier & expectation at his own handes, thinkinge he 
 will bringe H. Heringe w'th him once agayne into Cornwell, 
 in hope y't he will better . . . lye his busines & w'th more 
 quietnes & better agrement betweene yow & him then hath 
 binn. In the w'ch causes Mr. Weston (w'th ye advice of Mr. 
 Carnsew) will take order, and also for transportinge ye 
 copper owres to o'r new Meltinge House at Neath in Wales, 
 w'ch house I understande is ready ; and we have taken order 
 here yt agaynste he shalbe ready to make Copper he shall 
 have from Keswike one of o'r cop'er makers, w'th an under 
 melter, & ye Douch carpenter for a time to serve and ready 
 him in these causes. 
 
 And in meane time till his cominge to yow, to ye end yo'r 
 workinge of copper owers shoulde not fayle I have entreated 
 Mr. Carnsew by my let'r to lend yow 20 /?*, w'ch mony, if Mr. 
 Weston do not p'sently awenswere him at his now cominge 
 into ye covntrye, I will then se him thankfully repayed my 
 selfe, beinge loath at anye hande the woorke should fayle for 
 want of reasonable supplye. Wherfore let them be well 
 applied, & accordinge to my former let'r adv'tice me directly 
 of the p'ceadinge of these workes & what quantities of owers 
 yow get from time to time. 
 
 It is thought good that about Michelmas next Yow shall 
 go lye at Neth, to take charge of o'r Melting House & things 
 there, a place more for yo'r quietness then Cornwall is, as 
 yow shall understande farder hereafter, and also by Mr. 
 Weston. 
 
 I pray yow be more diligent in writinge to me then yow 
 
10 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 haue binn of late time, for except yo' last let'r reced by Mr. 
 Carnsew's brother*, I hearde nothinge from yow since Ester 
 last: 
 
 Thus wisshing yow health & good succes, I co'mit yow to 
 God : from my house in Fannchurch Street, this vijth of 
 
 July, 1584. 
 
 Yo'r M'r & frinde, 
 
 THOMAS SMYTH. 
 
 V. 
 
 ULRICK FROSSE TO MR. THOMAS SMYTH. 
 
 22 JULY, 1584. 
 
 To his right worsh. Thomas Smith, esq., principall 
 Customer of London, at his house Fanchurch Street, 
 in London. 
 
 Right worshipfull and my very singuler good M'r 'after 
 moste humble co'mendations, pleaseth it yow to be adv'tised 
 that Mr. Carnsewe was here the xi. of July laste paste to se o'r 
 woorkes, & o'rmyne here at Perin Sande, and wente downe 
 w'th me into the bottom of the worke, and so up alongste 
 the new audiet we made, w'ch is at this p'sente above 50 
 fadom longe, under all ye olde workes, but we do not lighte 
 w'th any owre as yet ; w'th greate springs of water we lighte 
 still in goinge up, w'ch will put us to great charge in the 
 ende I feare me. We have yet above 17 or 20 fadom to the 
 deepe shafte where the moste owre was lefte by reporte, to 
 w'ch we thinke to com aboute the later ende of Auguste w'th 
 God's helpe ; the Lord sende that we maye lighte w'th suche 
 owre that will requite the former charges, and to helpe yo'r 
 Worsh. parte to yo'r one agayne, w'th some p'fite. 
 
 Mr. Carnsewe did also ride w'th me to the Copper myne at 
 St. Ann's, o'r Logan, to se that worke. I thinke he will 
 adv'tise your worshipp how he do like the workinge bothe of 
 * Vide the Carnsewe brothers, as described at p. 2, ante. 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 11 
 
 Perin Sande and Logan. I measurde and receaved this laste 
 weeke at Logan 10 tonne of goode & cleane sorted Copper 
 owre, & truste to have as much more ready of sorted owre 
 shortly : I caused it to be sorted very cleane & good, con- 
 sideringe the far cariage, and better it wilbe when it shall 
 com to the meltinge : for the clener it be sorted, the lese 
 will the charges be in meltinge of it : the copper loade in 
 Logan doth holde out resonable as yet, I pray God it may 
 longe continewe. 
 
 I sente yo'r Woorshipp at Ester laste, by a poore laborer, 
 the seconde quarter yer's racninge of o'r charges here, and 
 sith that an other letter dated ye 1 5 of Maye, by Mr. Keligreis 
 man, and one by S'r Frauncies * Godalphin' man, dated 
 the 19 of June; in it I sent yo'r Worsh. a noth of certayne 
 Copper mines, w'ch I thoughte we woulde have taken in 
 hande this Somer if Mr. Weston had come hether before 
 this time, or else [to] have had monye to set in hand w'th 
 them, for the monye I hath did but serve me to mayntayn the 
 worke w'ch I have in hand alreadye untill hetherto, and if I 
 mighte have had better store of [money & things I] would 
 have wroughte all Perin Sande longe before this time, as 
 well by nighte as by day, and so mighte we have come to 
 the principall place by St. James daye att the longe[st] woulde 
 have set our copper myne a woorke by weste, and if there 
 be suche store of owr gett in that myne as it is reported, we 
 woulde have gotten good store of owr above the grounde by 
 this time : where so for lacke of monye I could not take in 
 hande, I ... hande w'th Mr. Carnsewe of late for the 
 4oli. he hath of yo'r Worsh : because I lacked money, & can 
 not here of Mr. Weston's co'minge as yet ; he awenswet me 
 
 agayne, that he told Mr that he would receave 
 
 the said 4oli. of yo'r worship in co'sideration of suche stuffe 
 
 he hath [now in] his hande that woulde do him pleasure for 
 
 * See some further account of him in Carew, p. 153. 
 
12 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 meltinge of o'r owers, and so Mr. Weston was co'tent there- 
 with, as Mr. Carnsewe told me: yet neverthe les he did 
 speake to Mr. Recever for zoli. for me, untill Mr. Weston do 
 com hether to mayntayn those woorkes w'ch I have in hande, 
 for I tolde Mr. Carnsewe that I would take no monye up of 
 Mr. Recever, before I hath letters from yo'r Worshipp so 
 to do. 
 
 I do send yo'r Worshipp herein closed the third quarter 
 yere racninge of o'r charges here, the Lorde send us some 
 p'fitable mynes, wherby this charge maye be recovered 
 agayne w'th some reasonable p'fitt, I shall do my diligence 
 and be carefull aboute them so muche as lies in me to do by 
 God's helpe : for I thanke my God I have my health agayne, 
 and able to go into every woorke my selfe, to se the working 
 thereof: 
 
 I receaved no letters from your Worsh. sith the 24th of 
 Marche laste paste, I look dayly for Mr. Weston here, to 
 take some order for settinge in hande of some more places 
 to se what good may be donne, wherby we maye continew a 
 woork w'th some in the .... 
 
 This I reste to troble yo'r worshipp, & so w'th my hartely 
 desier to o' Lorde God for your Worsh. & all yo'rs longe & 
 p'ssperis health. 
 
 Frome Perin Sande, the 22 of July, 1584. 
 
 Yo'r woorshipp's poore servante, 
 
 ULRICKE FROSSE. 
 
 VI. 
 
 ULRICKE FROSSE TO MR. WM. CARNSEWE. 
 
 3 AUGUST, 1584. 
 
 Right Worishipfull my dewtey remembret. S'r I have 
 received the 2 1 of July from you by the hand of your man 
 the som of 5/2*. starling, and sinch by the hand of John Ston 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 13 
 
 the first of August, [instant] the sum 5/1. mor, and if it wher 
 not for your Woriship's healp, I should be dryven to give over 
 our workes, and so I shall make my M'r to understand of it 
 what herte and loose it would have been for the workes 
 spe'ially Treworthie, trusting your Worship will healp me as 
 much as yow are able, to meantain it, and I shall then put 
 my best healp into it. I thannke your Worship most hartyly 
 for your freindly * letter, written unto my M'r in my behalff, 
 and the Lord send me grace that I may desarved, trusting 
 yow will, at Mr. Weston's coming first to your house, lett him 
 understand likwysse, and as consarning your stuff you have 
 to serve our toren for melting of our Copper ewre, I doe 
 know, that it is good for that porpos and w'th out the sam, 
 or such like wee shall have much to doe to make our ewre to 
 ryne, for the most copper ewres her will be very strong to 
 melte. It wher good to be knowne what quantytie ther is of 
 yt, and how the same may be brought to the sea syd, whit 
 what charges, and as for the goodnes of yt that can not be 
 knowne, because, the first meltyd slackes, or sinder as yow 
 caled the copper stone, and stone slackes be all mynglyd to 
 gither, whereby it can not be knowne what quanttytie of 
 either sorte ther is, neither can it be sorted, but through such 
 as hath knowledge of it, to know the on from the other, for 
 if either sorte hath ben by it selfF, the better and more proffet 
 it hath ben for yow, for then might wee have mad sayes of 
 the Copper stone, and so might yow have knowne by the say, 
 and the quanttytte of the sayd copper stone how much 
 copper hath ben in it, and silver likewise, if it hold f silver. 
 
 I would yow did consyder upon all your stuff as neer as 
 yow can what quanttytie ther is of it in all, one with an 
 
 * This is the first letter of this series, see page I. 
 
 t It is clear by this that the early smelters were aware of argentiferous 
 ores, the which some folk of the present day are prone to imagine to be a 
 modern discovery. G. G. F, 
 
14 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 other, and how the same may be brought to the sea w'th 
 what charge, and also what yow exstime it of your on con- 
 syderation to be worth betwist two brethern, and so to lett 
 me understand of yt by your letter betwixt yow and me, be 
 for Mr. Weston doe come to your howse. 
 
 Wee did light w'th a lyttle ewre at Treworth, the quanttytie 
 of all most on C. waight in one nest by itself, but cut sune 
 out again, it is but of the co'mon Lead ewre. 
 
 I suppos wee ar w'thin 1 2 faddem to the deepe shaft wher 
 the ewre was most left by report, w'ch I hop wee shall recover 
 w'thin this moneth and leesse ; in Logan the lode holds out 
 reasonable well for it, the Lord bethank it. 
 
 This I rest, and so commit yow and all yours to the 
 Almightie God. From Cut'bert P'ish the 3 of August, 1584. 
 Your Worship to command, 
 
 ULRICKE FROSSE, M.Mr.* 
 
 [Indorsed.] 
 To the right Worshipfull Mr. Wm. Carnsewe, esquier, at his 
 
 howse at Bockelly. 
 receyvid 8 Aug., a'o., 1584, by R. C.f 
 
 VII. 
 ULRICKE FROSSE TO MR. WM. CARNSEWE. 
 
 9 JUNE, 1585. 
 
 Right Worshipfull my dewty surves co'mendacions to yow. 
 S'r your letter sent to Mr. Weston I have receyved this 8 of 
 June. Mr. Weston is now at London. I sent your Worship 
 a letter by Mr. Weston' s man, a weeke befor Whit Sunday, 
 
 * In the charter of James 1st to the Mineral and Battery Works 
 Society, which may be perused subsequently, one Christopher Schutz an 
 Almaigne born is, described as " Work Master." I suspect therefore 
 these letters stand for " Mining Master." G. G. F. 
 
 t R. C, was probably the brother Richard of Mr. Carnsewe, alluded to 
 at p. 2, 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 15 
 
 and therw'thall sum of our stone and Copper, also how wee 
 doe speede in our melting, of w'ch I thanke God it doth goe 
 reasonable well forward, and lak but only good store of rich 
 ewres. 
 
 I trust you have receyved my letter before this, therfor I 
 stee at this p'sent. William Langfforde made hast away, 
 because he could not see the melting, w'ch I mad stee of 
 this very same day he did com hither, because I doe tary for 
 som mor and richer ewres from your syd, and also because I 
 have some thinge to mend at our water weere, and about our 
 fornisses, but mean to begine again w'thin 8 or tene dayes, 
 God willing. 
 
 At Mr. Weston's coming to your syd, your Worship shall 
 understand mor, I hath writtne to yow after, but that I have 
 ben a whil in the north parte of * England. 
 
 Thus I rest, and so commit yow and all yours into the 
 hand of Almightie God. From Neethe this 9 of June, 1585, 
 in hast. 
 
 Your Worship to comand to his poore 
 
 ULRICKE FROSSE, M.Mr.f 
 
 [Endorsed.] 
 
 To the Right Worshipfull Mr. Wm. Carnsewe, esquier, at 
 
 his house, at Bokelly, in Cornwall. 
 
 rec* 19 Junii, a. 1585. Ulryke. 
 
 VIII. 
 ULRICKE FROSSE TO ROBERT DENHAM. 
 
 4 JULY, 1585. 
 To his lovinge frinde Robert Denha'. 
 
 Frinde Denha', I have me hartely co'mended unto yow;. 
 yow shall understande yt we did lacke ower more than 14 
 dayes ago, for we have founde out a waye to melte 2C of 
 
 * Probably visiting Keswick and Cumberland, 
 t See note at foot of the previous page on this. 
 
16 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 owre everye daye w'th one furnas, the Lorde be thanked, and 
 if we may have owre anoughe from yo'r side we maye with 
 God's helpe melte w'th tow furnases in 40 weekes 560 tonnes 
 of owre, having reasonable p'vision made for it ; desiringe 
 yow from hence forwarde to sende such owres as yow have 
 w'th as much -speed as maye be, not caring what owre it is. 
 Yo'r owre of St. dives is very harte to melte it, hopinge we will 
 over com it,* what St. Ust owrs will do, we longe to se it.* 
 This I rest, the Lorde send yow good succes about yo'r 
 mines. 
 And so I co'mit yow to God. Fro' Nethe, the 4th of July, 
 
 1585- 
 
 Yo'r frinde, 
 
 ULRICKE FROSSE. 
 
 When yow do send any more owre, if yow can, sende of 
 all sorts, the better it will melte & w'th more p'fit. 
 
 [Endorsed.] The copys of U. to D. [Ulrick to Denham.] 
 
 IX. 
 JOHN OTES TO MR. WM. CARNSEWE. 
 
 27 OCT., 1585. 
 S'r, my dewtie remembred unto your Worshipp. The 
 
 pyckman you spake of came to St the 9 of 
 
 October, and brought w'th hem 2 letters from yo'r Worshipp, 
 th' one to Hance Hearing, th' other to myself. At the same 
 tyme I had some [special] occatzon to be from St. Ives, but 
 y'e Wensday I came to St. Ives agayne, and receaved the two 
 letters of my host. So the Frydaye I went to St. Yeust, and 
 carryed Hances 1'ter with me, thinking yt the said Rodger 
 Richard was thither to worke; soe we marvayled that he 
 did not com, but brought the letters to St. Ives, and harde no 
 more of hem att the present. 
 
 * Evidently those of St. Ives and St. Just, Cornwall, 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 17 
 
 The 14 of October came John Bwaple, one of Wales, w'h 
 his bark for a frayght of the Copp' owre, and did delyver 
 hem the 21 of October, 15 Tonn & 8 hundred of copp' owre 
 for Wales. The 15 October came one Thorn's Roberts from 
 Wales, from the Company, w'h a fraight of tymber and 
 necessaryes for the workes. I receaved his fraight at St. 
 Ives, and for my lyffe I could not gett any * owre from St. 
 Yeust to St. Ives, to fraight hem for Wales, but went awaye 
 w'hout any, for Bwaple wold carry more owre yf I had it at 
 St. Ives. 
 
 Mr. Denham must take y't order to have owre brought in 
 the so'mer to St. Ives, for men will not deale nowe in the 
 wynter tyme, unlesse it be very faire wether, whiche I pray 
 God to send us and bless us, and to send us His grace, geving 
 yo'r Worshipp thankes for yo'r good letter. 
 
 More to certyfye your W'rshipp for the western worke at 
 St. Ives. There was 2 men of o'rs wroght one whole weeke, 
 and wrought 2 feathem from the place. Mr. Denham did 
 appoynt forth right in the load and found nothing, but at the 
 place they began : more, the clyfT is so lose that it falls, so 
 y't the men wold not work but one week, soe it is gyven over 
 tyll Mr. Denham's return. 
 
 And wheras Mr. Martyn and Mr. Denham did gyve me in 
 charge to increase o'r workmen to the number of 30 in the 
 whole, we should not have had monyes to certyfye them 
 senight agon, but we have of workmen 20 some weeks at /e 
 most we have no more, but w'hin, and I am dryven to seeke 
 for that I cannott gett or receave the monyes Mr. Denham did 
 appoynte me. I paid $ for the fraight of our tymber 
 hither, as was wrytten in Arthur Rigbye's letter, and other 
 charge we weare at about other busynes, I hoape as resonable 
 as yf Mr. Denham were p'sent hemself, and by God's helpe 
 what I maye doe I am willing, for y't Mr. Denham hath y't 
 * 4< Wales " in this paragraph doubtless means Xeath. 
 
 C 
 
18 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 confydence in me. And desyring the Almyghty to blesse me, 
 and to send me His grace and goodness. I meane well, 
 what I may to ev'y man, for as the scrypture sayth, better it 
 is to have a poore lyving, w'h honesty and good creadytt, 
 then all the world other wyse. 
 
 Thus far bold to trouble yo'r W'rshipp w'th my harty 
 comendatyons to yo'r sonnes, I leave, committyng y'or 
 W'rshipp to the tuityon of God, w'h increase of w'rshipp. 
 
 From St. Ives, the 27 of October, 1585, 
 
 Your W'rshipps to his power more wylling then able, 
 
 JOHN OTES. 
 
 I sent this letter by John Stone, to send it to your 
 Worship, and the 30 October being Satterday, I came to 
 St. Ives, and fynding the letter not sent, I thought it con- 
 venyent to com my self, to certyfy your W'rshipp in what 
 state we [were in]. Mr. Denham wild me to receave with the 
 money I had of him, first of Mr. Napyan iijli. xvijj., vid. 
 [and] of Harry Karwethers, iiijti. xvij.?., the which I cannot 
 receave it ; more, I had a note to receve of Pascow Wynsor, 
 xij/*'., y'e w'ch Mr. John Carnesew p'mysed to sent it before 
 this. 
 
 Yf it maye be yo'r W'rship's pleasure to helpe us about a 
 vjti. tyll Mr. Denham's return, it should do us great pleasure, 
 for y't Mr. Denham p'mysed to be w'h us at this p'sent, and 
 I thinke it wilbe a fortnight before his return. No more to 
 yo'r W'rshipp. 
 
 [Indorsed.] 
 
 To the W'rshippfull Mr. Wyllyam Carnsewe, esquyer, at 
 Bockelly, geve these w'h speed. 
 
 X. 
 
 JOHN OTES TO MR. CARNSEWE. 
 
 NOVEMBER, 1585. 
 I am sorry to trouble yo'r w'rshipp so oft, and do greatly 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 19 
 
 marvayll y't Mr. Denham do absent himself so long, desyring 
 y'r w'rshipps' advyse : 
 
 I borrowed of Pascow Wynsor \\]lt. so y't the same & all 
 the monyes y't was deliv'd me is gon aboute the mynerall 
 worke, and we owe the workmen in p'te for the last weeke 
 ending the 13 of November, besydes this weeke, so yf it 
 were possyble to pay this same, which commeth to yj/i. & 
 upwarde, I would make the workmen stay one fornight 
 longer, yet they do worke in such wetenes y't in paying there 
 wage, it geves them a hart to worke. There is one hath 
 p'mysed to lend me xlj., so yf I cold gett iiijVi. more it wol 
 do well, for I ame sure Mr. Denham will not be from us, not 
 fornight more; I did think I should receave of Mr. John 
 Carnsewe aboute vjti. as he p'mysed me, so he did what he 
 might to gett som for me and cannot tyll it be a weeke or 
 for'night hence, And then we shall surely have it, nowe yf yo'r 
 w'rshipp might be a meane for a iiij/*'. at this p'sent for y't I 
 wold begon west warde to morrowe betymes. For I did 
 hoape I shold have some newes here of Mr. Denham. 
 
 [Indorsed.] 1585 
 
 Delyv'yd John Ottyes upon this byll, the 18 Nove'br, 40*. 
 
 XI. 
 
 ULRICKE FROSSE TO MR. W. CARNSEWE. 
 7 MARCH, 1586. 
 
 I have rec'd your Worshipps' letter dated the zyth January, 
 w'ch letter I did rec' the 6th of March her at Neath. 
 
 Understanding therein that yow have noe letters from me 
 sinch I departed out of Cornwall, I have advertissed your 
 worshipp long befor this time in twoo sondry letters of our 
 dowings her. 
 
 C 2 
 
20 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 Wee looke dayly for the Copper Refiner from * Keswicke, 
 and have in readines as much copper roste and blake copper 
 as will mak a 20 tonne lotte of good fine copper. 
 
 Wee have done noting all this winter for lake of ewre. 
 Wee are able to melt it w'th two fornises in the space of 40 
 weekes the quantitie of 560 tonne of ewre if wee might have 
 it, and if the ewre be clean and well sorted the mor copper 
 it will yeld. I doe not doubt but to bring out all that is in 
 the ewre. I did befor Mr. Martin, melte 24 c. of our first 
 melted sinder w'ch doth com of the ewre, and did not find in 
 it the weight of halfe one onz of copper stone, w'ch is a 
 saigne that we bring out all. I would glatly see your worshipp 
 her to see our melting, no doubt you would liket well in 
 nough, for I tare stand the tryall of it, who so ever will take 
 in hand, to bring out as much as any other will doe, and w'th 
 as little charges. 
 
 We will melt in the space of 7 houres the quanttitie of 
 24 C. of ewre, and spend not above 8 or 9 seks of chare coles, 
 and thre horslod of sea coles, and if the ewre be well and 
 clean sorted the mor copper stone will it yeld ; melting many 
 sorts of ewres to gither is the most proffet, and will melt a 
 greattayll souner. 
 
 All my care is, and ever was, to have ewre enough, and 
 then no doubt we will make copper good store, by the Grace 
 of God, having good ewre and clean sorted, as is afor sayd, 
 but hither to we have ben greatly hinderit for lack of ewre, 
 w'ch the Parteners do finde. If lake of ewre hath not ben 
 wee might have hath by this time above 40 tonne of copper, 
 w'ch must be for scene hereafter, o'r els it wilbe long befor 
 they Parteners will com to their owne againe. 
 
 This I reste to troble vow, and so, w'th my humble service 
 comended to your Worshipp, unto good Mrs. Carnsewe, your 
 
 * The " Copper Refiner" would be a most important addition to the 
 Staff at Xeath, G. G. F. 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 21 
 
 sonnes and doughters, w'th the rest of your houshold, beseech 
 God to send yow and all yours long lyff and prossperius 
 health, and so commit yow to God. From Neath, this yth of 
 March, 1586. 
 
 Your Worshipps to command, 
 
 ULRICKE FROSSE, M. Mr. 
 
 I hop to see your Worshipp this somer in Cornwall w'th 
 God's healp, and then we shall hav som larger conference 
 touching our melting of the severall ewres. Wee doe not 
 doubt what ewre so ever do com to my hands, and it be never 
 so strong to melt we will over com it, for a metchen* that wee 
 have fond out by change, and if it hath not been for that, the 
 rich copper ewre w'ch we call the plen ewre at f St. Youste 
 would put us to harte shifte for melting of it, a very strong 
 cwie to melte as ever I did see o'r did com to my hands, but 
 1 thank God wee are able to master it well in nough. God 
 send us anough of it, for the metchen* we have for it doth not 
 only healp to melt it easye but also to melt it speedelye, and 
 w'th small fewle and bringes out all that is in it, this may your 
 worshipp give me credit to be the trought. I thank the Lord 
 for it ; God send the mynes to prospere, and to mak good 
 greement amongst the Parteners in setting this work forward, 
 whereby they may have p'fitt, and the comone wealt may be 
 maintained to God's hornier. 
 
 Befor the insealing hereof I hath news out of Cornwall, 
 how that Mr. Trevinian hath discharged all the workmen at 
 { St. Youit, and taken away all their tooles, and given charge 
 to his officers that no ewre should be caried away, I must 
 therefor desyre your worshipp to tak som orther, that our bark, 
 being now at St. Dyves, may have her lading of ewre, for 
 this time, away with her. Understanding by a gentleman w'ch 
 
 * This word was probably slang amongst the workmen for ability to 
 overcome, or matching, equal to. 
 
 t St. Just. + St. Just, $ St. Ives. 
 
22 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 did com from London of late, that Mr. Martin, and Denham 
 
 wilbe in Cornwall very shortly. 
 
 [Endorsed] 
 
 To the Right Worshippfull Mr. William Carnsewe, esquier. 
 Delyver this at his house at Bockellye, in Cornwall. 
 
 XII. 
 ROBERT MARTYN TO MR. CARNSEWE. 
 
 8 APRIL, 1586. 
 [Headed.] 
 
 (Robert Martyn's retorne to my wrytynge, W. C.) 
 
 S'r, By yo'r note in wrytynge I doo p'ceve yo'r travell 
 hathe bene greate, and your chardge not a litle, beside those 
 things delliv'd to Mr. Weston at Perin Sands for the 
 furtherance of o'r woorke. I hope when the P'tners shalbe 
 informed therof in such sorte, as I see good cause the 
 should, thaye will use considerac'on accordingly. 
 
 I will cause R. D.* to waight uppon you withe all the 
 co'venient sped he maye, beinge right sory that my busines 
 will suffer me no longer to remayne, the cause therof I have 
 mad knowne unto yo'u accomptinge my departuar to be a 
 hinderaunce unto my self, not knowinge where to spend 
 tyme to bett'r purpoze. 
 
 I praye God to send you health and strengthe to p'form 
 yo'r i'tended journy into Walles, f no man shalbe more 
 gladder to se you ther then myself. 
 
 I am right sory the wante of ioo//. frome the P'tners 
 should hinder so good a purpoze. I do not mystrust but at 
 my next beinge in London they will bett'r consider of the 
 same. 
 
 If it be not my chaunce to offer my dewtifull service to 
 Mr. Edgcom befor my dep'ture, I beseche yo'u vouchsafe to 
 
 * No doubt Robert Denham. f This of course was to the New 
 
 Works at Neath, then busily occupied. G. G. F, 
 
AV GLAMORGANSHIRE. 23 
 
 remember the same. I hope his Wo. will thinke good we 
 doo not want. 
 
 And so I pray God to contynue yo'r health, with increase of 
 many happy dayes. 
 
 The foregoing Letters are not only extremely curious and 
 interesting in themselves as shewing the manner of con- 
 ducting important matters of business in the time of Queen 
 Elizabeth ; shewing too, that there was then, as there is now, 
 a gentle feeling between master and servant, and that there 
 was also the same difficulty of getting means to carry on the 
 work, the same generous trust and advance between friends in 
 a common cause and as if to prove that " there is nothing 
 new under the sun " there was thus early, an appreciation 
 of practical knowledge tending to a commercial success such 
 as cannot be surpassed in the present day, for Dr. Percy, in his 
 "Metallurgy" of 1861, says 
 
 "The smelter, by having at command a variety of ores, 
 may render an ore profitable which otherwise would 
 have no value. Frequently copper can be extracted 
 at a less cost by smelting several ores in a mixture, 
 than by smelting one ore by itself." 
 
 Ulrick Frosse, writing more than 250 years ago, had ascer- 
 tained the same economic law, for he told his friend Denham to 
 
 " Send such ores as you have, not caring what ore it is ; when you 
 do send, if you can, send of all sorts ; the better it will melt and 
 with more profits." 
 
 I trust that I have at length definitively settled the 
 Origin of Copper Smelting at Neath, in what is now 
 known as "The Swansea District." It is clear that to 
 "the right worshipful Thomas Smyth, esquire, principal 
 Customer of London, and his friend and loving servant 
 Ulrick Frosse, that very honest and skilfull man," we 
 are indebted for the " great Staple " which, founded in 
 
24 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 the days of Elizabeth, has grown to such gigantic proportions 
 in the reign of * Victoria. IN JULY, 1584, it was announced 
 that the ores would be transported out of Cornwall to " the 
 new Melting House at NEATH IN WALES, then ready," and 
 it was "thought good that about the Michaelmas following, 
 Ulrick should live at Neath to take charge of it and the 
 things there." See p. 9 and elsewhere, ante, as to these facts. 
 
 It is further proved that whatever was the metallurgic 
 talent of native workmen, the Germans (or, as they were 
 often in those days called, the Dutch)f were the skilled 
 workmen who forced on the art to a higher perfection than 
 it had hitherto attained in this country ; for not only Ulrick, 
 in July of the very next year, 1585, writing as to melting 
 24 cwt. of ore every day with one furnace, the Lord be thanked," 
 but we shall just now have further incontestable evidence of 
 the rapid strides made by Jochim Gaunse and Stembarger, 
 of whose German origin there can be no question. 
 
 From Keswick, in Cumberland, came those pioneers of the 
 trade "the Copper Refiner, the Copper maker, the under 
 Melter, and the Dutch carpenterf to serve and ready Ulrick 
 in these causes ; " and I purpose now to show how they con- 
 ducted their work, and what were the difficulties they had to 
 overcome in " the corrupt humors" with which they contended 
 in converting the Cornish ores into marketable Copper. 
 Probably few Trades can shew such a clear and concise 
 description of their modus operandi as will be found in the 
 following confidential communications to the then Secretary 
 of State (Walsingham, one of Elizabeth's most astute 
 councillors,) who not only was probably interested in the 
 concern himself, but had to look after the good Queen's 
 
 * Vide page 13, ante. 
 
 f At page 3, ante, it will be seen that Mr. Carnsewe describes " Dutche 
 myners" as Germans, and at page 23, is alike description, "the Dutch 
 workmen which have been sent from Germany." 
 

 7.V GLAMORGANSHIRE. \^ - 2S OB , 
 
 > ' 
 
 proportion of the profit reserved by the Patent which si 
 granted to Thurland & Hoechstetter in 1564. 
 
 On the 1 8 July 159 , a very interesting letter was written 
 to Mr. Secretary Cecil, then Governor of the Mines Royal Co. 
 from Keswick, by Marcus Stembergerus, Ric. Ledes, and 
 Emanuel Hechstetter, about their Copper works there, the last 
 paragraph of which is as follows : " We certify this, lest we 
 " might be supected of fraudulend dealing, and refer ourselves 
 " and our causes to you and the Company, and beseech you 
 'to consider our hindrances and losses (as Germans) of our 
 " own stock laid down in these mines." G. G. F. 
 
 XIII. 
 GEORGE NEDHAM* TO SIR FRANCIS 
 
 WALSINGHAM, KNT. 
 [Headed.] 
 
 MARCH, 1582, COVERING ONE OF A.D. 1581. 
 
 Offers made by Jochim Gaunse for makeing of Copper, 
 vitriall, and coppris, and Smeltinge of Copper and Leade 
 ures. 
 
 i. Wheras Mr. Stembarger, at his laste beinge in London, 
 made his propos'tion to the Company that for everie quintall 
 of rough copper he made (being cxij /*'.), he must have vij. 
 kebullsf of copper ure gotten in Code's gifte myne,J everie 
 kebull whereof is in waite civ. li. at the least, w'ch after a 
 cxij li. to the hundreth, amounts to xc iiijxx v//. of ure, and 
 for all manner of charges of fireworke and smeltars' wages to 
 bring the same xc mjxx v li. of ure into rough copper, he 
 offreth to do it for xiiij s. iiij d. 
 
 * I find that he was one of the original Partners of the M. R., in 
 1580, as will be shewn a few pages further on. 
 
 t The buckets in which the ore was raised from the mines. 
 
 % Again specially named at p. 28, para, ix., and which was one of the 
 chief pits of Calbeck. 
 
 This is as though we should say, Ten hundred- weight, four score and 
 five pounds. G. G. F, 
 
26 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 2. Mr. Jochim doeth offer to bringe fully so much copper 
 out of the like quantity of ure, and to beare all manner of 
 fireworke, smelters' wages, and the Queene's parte likewyse 
 therin comprehended, for ix s. iiij d., w'ch is lesse then Mr. 
 Stembarger's offer, by vs. in a quintall : so as by his order of 
 rosteinge and smelting, putting to, the charges of gettinge, 
 shawdring and carrieing the ure, the quintall of rough 
 shall not stande vs. in above xxvjj. : and by his order of 
 workeinge he will make as much copper or more then Mr. 
 Stembarger doeth. 
 
 3. And further, the said Jochim doubteth not but after he 
 hath rested and smolton iij. or iiij. saies of o'r Copp' ure, in 
 the great works,* after such manner as he hath devised since 
 his comeing from Keswick, to attaine to such farther 
 knowledg of the nature of all o'r copper ures in Cumberlande 
 and Westmoreland that he shalbe able to kill all the corrupt 
 humors that be in them, and therby to bringe out more copper 
 then heretofore hath byn : and w'th lesser charge then is 
 above written. 
 
 4. And further, he will take out of the ure either vitriall or 
 coppris, as the tyme and occasion of sale therof shall serve, 
 w'ch will not onely be soulde to the great bennifltt of the 
 Companie, but also by takeinge the said vitriall of coppris 
 from the ure before it come in to the first smeltinge, it doeth 
 in the first smeltinge very much helpe and save the Copper 
 from wasting and causeth the ure sooner to smelt : in w'ch 
 rostes both of vitriall, copper, and coppris makeinge he will 
 use , nothing but peate, whereas Mr. Stembarger and his 
 Father have used much woode. 
 
 5. After copper ure be rested and redie to smelting (w'ch 
 roste is done in orfe fire,) then must the vitrall or coppris, 
 or w'ch of them shalbe thought moste mete, be taken 
 from the ure, before it come to the smeltinge, first w'ch is 
 done by letting water passe through the ures : of w'ch water 
 
 * Doubtless pointing to those just completed and at work at Neath. 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 27 
 
 the coppris or vitriall must be made ; and that water doth not 
 onely drawe the vitriall and coppris from the ure, but also 
 divers other hurtfull humors, being by nature enemyes to the 
 Copper; as arsenick, sulpher, antimony, allome, and ironn; 
 w'ch, being taken away as aforesaid, maketh the ure w'thin 
 iiij dayes, by once resting and once smelting to yeeld black 
 copper and copper-stone,* w'ch Mr. Stembarger nor his 
 Father coulde do under xvj. rostings and xvj. weekes' time. 
 
 6. And wheras, in o'r first vitriall that was made he drew 
 xx//. of Copper out of the ure to make a C. of vitriall ; he 
 can nowe make the vitriall in as great quantity as we can 
 utter it, and as good as his first vitriall was, and will take but 
 x li. of copper to the cxij li. of vitriall : and as for ye charge 
 of makeing therof w'th other circumstance, is to be declared 
 by word and not by writing.f 
 
 7. And yf we cannot have utteraunce of so much vitriall 
 as we can make, then may we make of that substaunce 
 coppris, w'thout takeing any copper from the ure, and the 
 same copperris w'ch we shall make for dyeing of cloth will 
 excell in goodness both that w'ch is made here in England 
 by the J Lord Mountjoye his preveledg, or any other coppris 
 comeinge from beyonde the seas, the chardges of makinge 
 therof is also to be declared by mouth.f 
 
 8. For vent of this coppris ther wilbe great quantitie used 
 in Cumberland, Westmorelande, Yorkshire, Cheshire, and 
 Lancanshire onely for dying, who are constrained to transe- 
 porte it from London thether. And likewise ther wilbe much 
 soulde into the North parte of Scotlande, who have often 
 
 * Copper-stone is the German version for what in England is called 
 Regulus. 
 
 f Copper Manufacturers of the present day are often said to keep close 
 the secrets of the Trade ; if so, it appears to be an old practice amongst 
 them, being often repeated as a request for attention. 
 
 J Lord Mountjoy was one of the original partners of the Mines Royal, 
 see p. further on ; but this refers also to his Grant from the Queen, 
 
28 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 tymes both come and sent to Keswick to buye coppris ; and, 
 makeing more quantitie then we can utter there, we may send 
 to London and other parts of England, or into Fraunce, 
 Spaine, and other Countryes, who have it brought them from 
 Lubeck, Dandzick, & Andwerpe, being a longer viadge and 
 greater charges. 
 
 9. And wheras, the riche Copper ure gotten in the mynes 
 of Calbeck* being enfected w'th such corruptions, that 
 hetherto Mr. Danyell or his Sonn coulde never smelt them 
 alone as they came from the myne, but were forced to 
 myngle them w'th rested stone of the first smelting of Code's 
 gifte ure.f Mr. Jochim at his being at Keswick, in ij fires, 
 that is with once rostinge and once smeltinge it, as it came 
 from the myne, w'thout myngling, did bring it into black 
 copper and copperstone. 
 
 10. And in like manner, the rich leade myne at Calbeck, 
 w'ch houldeth good quantity of silver, and hath cost the 
 Company great sommes of mony, lieth now unwrought, 
 being a myne whereout great profntt myght be yearely gotten 
 by the silver and the leade; w'ch ures neither Mr. Danniell 
 nor his \ Sonn, Mr. Stembarger, hitherto could smelt to 
 preserve the leade and bring the silver from it, but by such 
 wast of the ure and silver that their doeinges were rather .o 
 losse than proffitt. Mr. Jochim hath made divers smale 
 sayes therof, whereby he doubted not to smelt it in such sort 
 as the most part of the leade shalbe preserved, and the silver 
 brought out to great gaynes. 
 
 And Further, GEORGE NEDHAM declareth his knowledg 
 and opineon to the Right Honorable S'r Fraunces 
 Walsingham, cons'ninge these Articles of Jochim Gaunse, 
 for makeing of Copper, vitriall, and coppris ; and the 
 smelting of Copper and Leade ures in form following : 
 
 * In Cumberland, which has of late years fallen from this richness to 
 almost nil. f See this also mentioned at p. 25, ante. 
 
 \ This evidently means Son-in-law, 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 29 
 
 For his offer made in the seconde Article I knowe it to be 
 trewe, and in my notes geven your Honnor vij monthes 
 paste, I did offer to make the great C. of rough Copper for 
 2js. Sd. 
 
 For his offer in the iij Articles, by such experience as I 
 have gotten by conference w'th him* in the knovvledg in the 
 nature of our ures, that I dare assure my self he is able to 
 performe his p'mise & especially by bringing more copper 
 out of the ure then Mr. Stemberger no we doth. 
 
 For the iiij Article, I can my self make vitriall in such order 
 as we made at o'r being at Keswick ; but not so good cheape 
 as Mr. Jochim can now do it, nor to save the x/i of copper 
 in the C. of vitriall as Mr. Jochim can do. 
 
 For coppris makeing, I have no p'fect skill, but must learne 
 it of Mr. Jochim, which I am verie desirous to do, being a 
 comoditie w'ch I knowe will yelde us great p'fitt for the Co. 
 
 For his offer made in the ixth Article, I knowe he can do 
 it, for I myself at my laste being at Keswick, did smelt the 
 Copper ure gotten in * Calbeck myne alone, w'thout putting 
 any thinge to it, and in v fires & viij dayes did make good 
 rough copper therof. 
 
 Your Honor's most Humble to comaund, 
 
 GEORGE NEDHAM. 
 
 [Endorsed.] XIV. 
 
 A description of the Doeinges of Jochim Ganse and 
 George Nedham, at the Copper Mynes by Keswicke, in 
 Cumberland, A.D. 1581. 
 
 Right Honourable, As soone as Mr. Jochim & I came to 
 Keswicke, the firste thinge we did take in hande, was to 
 searche out both the nature and the number of the hurtfull 
 humors that were naturally bred in oure Copper ures gotten 
 
 * This tends to shew that Needham was an English copper smelter, 
 Who was getting all he could out of the German Jochim. G. G. F. 
 
30 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 in that countrie, wherein after sundrie trialls, we attained to 
 some perfection, and found that in our Copper ures, were 
 tenn severall substance's, whereof iiij ar visible, w'ch ar iron, 
 copper, a kinde of black stone, (wherein the copper groweth) 
 and a kinde of white stone named sparr : the other vj humors, 
 w'ch ar in the said ures, and invisible, ar sulpher, arsenique, 
 antimony, vitriall, calcator, and allom ; so as in ten substances 
 w'ch ar in our Copper ures, the copper is one, and the 
 other substances by their naturall operation ar all hurtfull 
 and venemous humors to the copper ; for some of them by 
 wasteings the copper in smeltinge, and by their drynes make 
 it bretle and black ; the other by theire toughe and moiste 
 nature, be a great let to the speedie smeltinge and bringeinge 
 the ure into rough copper. The number, nature, and 
 propertie of w'ch ix hurtfull humors being wholly unknowne 
 to Mr. Daniell [qy. Hockstetter] and his Sonne, or to any other 
 of the Duch workemen w'ch have bin sente from Germany* 
 to the mynes, that have borne our copper ures, had bin the 
 onely cause of the unreasonable charge, and long tyme spent 
 before they could make of those ures perfect rough copper : 
 w'ch copper after the order used in tymes past by Mr. 
 Daniell and his Son, thei never coulde, nether yet can make 
 under xxij tymes passinge thro the fire, and xxij weekes 
 doeing therof ane sometyme more. But now the nature of 
 these ix hurtfull humors abovesaid being discovered and 
 opened by Jochim's way of doeing, we can, by his order of 
 workeinge, so correct theim, that parte of theim beinge by 
 nature hurtfull to the copper in wasteinge of it, ar by arte 
 maide freindes, and be not onely an encrease to the Copper, 
 but further it in smeltinge : and the rest of the other evill 
 humors shalbe so corrected, and their humors so taken 
 from them, that by once rosteinge and once smeltinge 
 the ure (w'ch shalbe done in the space of three dayes), 
 * "WTiich is again evidence that Daniel and Stembarger were " Germans." 
 
TN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 31 
 
 the same copper ure shall yeeld us black copper and 
 copper-stone, w'ch nether Mr. Daniell nor his Sonne coulde 
 or yet can do under xvj tymes passinge through the fire, and 
 xvj ueeks in doeing thereof: and further, in once rosteinge 
 and once smeltinge the same black copper and copper-stone 
 again, w'ch shalbe done in ij days, after Mr. Jochim's order 
 of workeinge, I will bringe the black copper and copper-stone 
 into perfect rough copper, w'ch Mr. Stembarger cannot 
 make under xxij tymes passing through the fire and xxij 
 weekes in doeinge therof and sometymes more ! 
 
 I have therfore thought necessarie to sett it downe in write- 
 inge, that y'r Honnor might see the several names of the ix 
 infections w'ch ar in our copper ures, w'th the nature and 
 operation of every of them, by what meanes thei do hurt 
 unto the Copper, before thei be corrected, and being 
 corrected, by what meanes thei be helpfull to the copper. 
 
 The Names of the ix infectyve and evill Humors : 
 
 1. The first is Sulphur, being a mynerall substance w'ch 
 verie quickly taketh fire, and wilbe consumed in smoke by 
 blast, whereby it goeth away very violently, and in goeing 
 away will not onlly carry w'th it some of the copper or any 
 other mettall it is joyned with, but also maketh the copper 
 black and bretle so that it wilbe broken w'th the hammar, in 
 manner like glasse. 
 
 2. The ij corrupt humor is Arsineque, by nature a kinde 
 of poyson, being in like manner a minerall substance, wilbe 
 consumed w'th fire in to Smoke, w'ch is a vere daungerous 
 ayer or savor, and by his force maketh the copper white 
 and brether then the sulpher doeth. This Arsenieque is not 
 onely in great quantitie in our copper ures, but is by nature 
 so forceable of it self, that it is Lorde and Ruller over all the 
 rest, and consumes both ye sulpher, and antimony, so y't thei 
 ar not to be scene : and in my opinion, by his drynese doth 
 so dry and take away the force of the other iij liquid and 
 
32 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 tough humors, that thei have no force to let them from 
 speedy smeltinge and departinge from his drosse. 
 
 3. The iij corruption is Antimony, w'ch is in like manner 
 a mynerall substance, and by rosteing wilbe consumed into 
 smoke. Itt is in nature much like to sulpher and arsenieque 
 in makinge the copper black and brether ; besides it is great 
 let and hinderer to the copper in smeltinge; and by the 
 opinion of some that in refmeing, it doeth consume part 
 either of golde, silver, or copper w'ch ar smolten w'th it. 
 
 4. The iiij corrupt humor is Vitriall, in like manner a 
 mynerall substance, and if the force therof be not corrected 
 by rosteinge before the ure wherin it groweth be smolten, it 
 fretteth the Copper and maketh it bretle and black coulered ; 
 but by stampeinge the copper ure into powder and by 
 rostinge the same powder after Mr. Jochim's rule before it 
 be smolten, and then letting water passe through the same 
 rosted powder, the water doth not onllie carry the vitriall 
 from the powder or ure, but also carrieth w'th it the burnt 
 powder or sinder of the sulphur, arsenieque, and antimony, 
 whereby it so clenseth the ure that when it cometh to the 
 smeltinge the copper cometh forth easelie, w'thout such 
 quantitie of slagges or drosse, as otherwise would be, if the 
 ure were not rosted and the vitriall in this manner taken from 
 it ; thus is the vitriall, of an enimye made a freinde. 
 
 5. The \th corruption is * Calcator, beinge the mother or 
 corpus of vitriall, and a mynerall substance ; this will not be 
 consumed w'th smoke, but gathereth into a body and 
 substance, and very forceablie abideth the fire, although in 
 nature it be not fullie so hurtfull to the Copper as vitriall is, 
 but carrieth away corrupt humors w'th it as vitriall doth. 
 
 * I have not yet come across the modern term for " Calcator," nor carl 
 I find the word itself in any of our old books ; but my friend, Mr. R, 
 Hunt, F.R.S., at Jermyn Street, has since drawn my attention to hi* 
 6th Edn. of Ure's Dicy. p. 854, where he has stated that " Calcother " 
 (Cak-okre) is an antiquated name for oxide of iron, doubtless another 
 fol'ni of the same word. G. G. F. 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 33 
 
 6. Allom is the \]th corrupt humor, a mynerall substance, 
 and by nature a let to ye smeltinge of the Copper ; it also 
 hindreth ye vitriall, and of all the rest of the ix infections is 
 least hurtfull to ye copper. 
 
 7. The vij th humor is Iron, beinge one of the vij mettalls but 
 no mynerall, w'ch being engendered and bred up in the earth 
 w'th the copper ure, will not lightlie be gotten from it, and 
 especiallie when the copper ure is smolten greene as it 
 cometh from the myne, w'thout rosteinge, then the iron doth 
 joyne and incorporat himself w'th the copper, by reason of 
 the other ij moist humors hereunder written as shall plainely 
 apeire unto yo'r Honnor by samples that I have to shewe, 
 w'ch is onely the greatest cause of so many chargable fires 
 and longe tyme w'ch Mr. Daniell and his Sonne do spende 
 before thei can make rough copper. And accordinge to Mr. 
 Jochim's order of workeinge the nature and substance of the 
 iron yt is our copper ure being beaten into powder, and 
 rosted as aforesaide, the drosse and corruption that is in the 
 iron is so dryed up, that when it cometh to smeltinge it is 
 not able to runne or gether itselfe together like a slagge as it 
 doeth being smolten greene before the ure be rosted : and 
 the best substance w'ch is the right iron ure, beinge by 
 rosteinge brought into the perfection of iron, is, by the water 
 and strength of vitriall, converted into copper, as I have 
 proved sundrie tymes: so as this cheefe of the hurtfull 
 humors beinge thus corrected, it is made of an enemye a 
 freinde and helper of the copper. 
 
 8. The viijM hurtfull humor that is in our copper ure, is 
 a kinde of Black Stone, * wherin the copper is bred and doth 
 growe, and is incorporated w'th the copper, as shall plainely 
 be shewed unto yo'r Honnor, w'ch stone beinge a liquide 
 and tough substance, and smolten before it be rosted, doth 
 
 * Evidently alluding to the native matrix in which the ore was found 
 in Cumberland. G. G. F. 
 
34 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 so joine itselfe w'th the iron and copper, being bred up 
 together, that thei will hardly be parted but by great charges 
 and long tyme ; but as is before declared, beinge rested 
 before it come to smeltinge (what by force of the fire and of 
 the venemous arsenicque) this hurtfull stone is so dryed up, 
 that when the ure cometh to smelteinge, it cannot incorporat 
 itself to any substance to become a slagge or drosse, but is 
 like a sinder consumed w'th the force of the fire, wherby it 
 can no way hinder or lett the copper. 
 
 9. The ix/A and the last corrupt humor is a kinde of White 
 Stone, named Sparr, w'ch in all respects is like to the black 
 stone, and if in the same sorte it be not corrected, it is no 
 lesse prejudiciall to the smeltinge then the other 
 
 Thus, Right Honnorable, I have so breefly as I coulde, 
 rudely sett forth the nombre, nature, and operation of the 
 hurtfull Humors that be in our Copper ures, and how by arte 
 thei may be so corrected that such of them as be moste 
 hurtfull enerriyes, shalbe made freindes ; and the hurtfull 
 force of the rest so overcome and taken away that thei shall 
 not hurt or hinder the copper makeinge. Moste humblie 
 beseecheinge yo'r Honnor to pardone my boldnes in 
 troubleing you, and to accept my goodwill herein r and 
 hearafter (as occasion and tyme shall serve) I do purpose by 
 Godde's Grace to sett forth a more ample discourse, and by 
 the help of Mr Jochim not onely to dissipher ye hurtfull 
 Humors that be in any ure (groweing in this realme) be it 
 copper or lead, but also a remedie so to correct or kill the 
 same, as the same ures ither of copper or leade shalbe 
 smolten to benefitt without the hurt of those humors. 
 
 [Endorsed.] 
 
 NOTES touching that which was don at ye Copper Mynes by 
 Mr. Nedham and Joachim Gaunse, with offers of Joachim 
 Gans for the Melting of Copper and making of Vitryol. 
 
 Having so far (I hope) interested the reader in the general 
 
MAGNATES OF THE COPPER MANUFACTURE 
 
 IN THE 'SWANSEA DISTRICT, 
 
 DURING THE EARLIER PORTION OF THE 19 CENTURY. 
 TAKEN FROM THE LIFE & REPRODUCED BY THE AUTOTYPE C9 
 
 1. J H.- VIVIAN Esq. M. R F.R.S. &c. 
 
 2. M. WILLIAMS ESQ. M.R J. R c. 
 
 3. HUSSEY, LORD VIVIAN, G.C.B. &c. 
 
 4. R. J. NEVILL ESQ J. R & c . 
 
 5. R L. GRENFELL ESQ. J. P. COL. 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 36 
 
 subject, I now proceed to give the names of the Shareholders 
 in this, to us, most interesting concern "The Mines Royal 
 Society," from an original list supplied to Mr. Secretary 
 Walsingham, it is true, that we only get a moiety of them, 
 viz., the English proprietors, but the names of the foreign 
 holders may again turn up or be known to some of my 
 readers in which case I trust we may some day see a 
 complete List of the Co. published. 
 
 XV. 
 SHAREHOLDERS IN THE MINES ROYAL SOCIETY. 
 
 A.D. 1580. 
 
 The hole mass of the Minez Royall waz divided intoo 
 xxiiij/V equall parts, whearof Thurland, for the English, had 
 xij parts, and Daniel, for the Straungerz, had the other xij. 
 The English parts again divided too partnerz and intoo 
 porcionz as foll'weth : 
 
 The Lorde Treazorer [Burleigh] . . . .ij parts. 
 
 The Earl of Pembrook* ij parts. 
 
 The Earl of Leicester j part. 
 
 The Lord Montjoy* a quarter of a part. 
 
 Alderman Ducket* j part. 
 
 Spinola ij parts. 
 
 Tamwoorth d'mi. part. 
 
 Thorn's Revet d'mi. part. 
 
 VV. Patten* d'mi. part. 
 
 Culverwell d'mi. part. 
 
 W. Wynter* j q'rter of a pt. 
 
 John Dudley j q'ter. 
 
 W. Burd j quarter. 
 
 Customer Smyth* j q'ter. 
 
 Geffray Ducket j q'ter. 
 
 Allderm. Gamage j q'ter. 
 
 Barnz. in Cheap j q'ter & q'mi. q'ter. 
 
 Springham j q'ter. 
 
 George Needham* j q'ter. 
 
 Matthu Feeld q'mi. q'ter. 
 
 Anthony Ducket j q'ter. 
 
 S'ma. .xiiij parts. 
 
 * Referred to in some of the letters printed in several of these pages, 
 
 D 2 
 
36 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 The rezidu of the parts whearof most be at the dispozicion 
 of Daniel, hoow he hath bestowed them, or what remayneth 
 w'th him, not yet certeinly known. W.P. [Patten.] 
 
 [Indorsed] The distribution of the parts of the Mynes 
 Royall. 1580. 
 
 This return is initialled W. P., most probably the "W. 
 Patten " of the List, who is down for a half-part. I under- 
 stand this name of ' Patten ' has long remained connected with 
 the Copper Trade* Is it possible that the 'Daniels' so 
 respected in the days of good Queen Bess were the stock of 
 the f Daniels no less trusted in this our time by their em- 
 ployers in Mining and Smelting operations at Swansea. Have 
 they, I wonder, any tradition of their origin and whereabouts ? 
 
 It is time now to come to the Royal license under which 
 these " English and Straungers " derived their authority for 
 seeking ores and erecting works for the smelting thereof. 
 Before giving details of the Patents or Charters of 
 Elizabeth, James, etc., it may perhaps be well to premise that 
 the metalliferous ores in this country were reserved to the 
 Crown, and that it was therefore necessary to have a Grant 
 for the searching for and the working of them, and further 
 that it was also requisite to have a Patent or Crown Grant 
 for the constitution of a Company or aggregation of persons, 
 such as is now effected more generally by an Act of Parlia- 
 ment or a " Limited Liability Company registration." 
 
 * Vide Percy's "Metallurgy," Vol. I., p. 291, where it is stated that an 
 ancestor of the present Col. Fatten first introduced Copper Smelting into 
 Lancashire in 1717 or 18, arid Mr. Keates informs me "they for long 
 " time remained heads of the Firm of the Cheadlc Copper and Brass Co., 
 " for I recollect more than 60 years ago, Col. Patten (the Father of Lord 
 " Winmarleigh) saying, his ancestors had been connected with Mining and 
 " Smelting for generations/' 
 
 t After all, I strongly suspect that "Daniel" was but the Christian 
 name of Hochstetter the German, see next page, post. Indeed, on reading 
 more carefully the paragraphs before and after the List of the Mines Royal 
 Shareholders, I have no doubt about it. G. G, F, 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 37 
 
 On the 6th Sept., 1595, Lord Burghley made a note or order 
 that " The Royal Company of Miners should certify what 
 " Copper they have and how much they owe to the Queen and 
 " Customer Smyth's Exors. to answer for Copper delivered." 
 Records, Domestic papers, 8vo., p. 99, while in the following 
 14 Novr., Lord B. desires that " Mr. Smyth be spoken to, for 
 " Copper for the Ordnance for the two new ships." G. G. F. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 W. PATTEN, ESQ., TO SIR F. WALSINGHAM, KNT. 
 I9TH Nov., 1581. 
 
 May it pleas yoor Honor somwhat to the purpose of that 
 whearin ye voouchsafed yesternight too gyve me heering, and 
 too the content ye may be a littl instructed in the state of 
 oour severall graunts, as well of the Mines Royall as of the 
 oother.* I dru oout this brevet again too day for yoo, but 
 being gon before my cumyng, the same noow send I, reddy 
 further in thees matters too signify my knulege (that cost me 
 deer) untoo yoor Honor at the good pleasure of the same 
 which in prosperetee & health with encreas of mooch 
 dignitee God's majesty long preserve. From Alldermanbery 
 this xixth of November, 1581. 
 
 Yoor Honors allweis right humbly at comaundment, 
 
 W. PATTEN. 
 
 It may have been observed that hitherto we have adopted 
 the usual mode of dates in succession, but now it becomes 
 necessary to invert that order, consequent on Mr. Patten's 
 information touching the Letter's Pat. given at the commence- 
 ment of the "Mines Royal" establishment in 1564, when he 
 wrote his letter of explanation to Sir F. Walshingham from 
 
 * This "other" was, doubtless, the Mineral and Batten- Company: as, 
 indeed, is shewn in the fifth paragraph of this letter, 
 
38 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 Aldermanburp, in Nov., 1581, a period of 17 years, during 
 which they had, as we have shewn, been most actively 
 employed as a Company in promoting the interests they had 
 acquired, and were about to extend them still further as will 
 be perceived on perusing the following confirmation and 
 extension by King James of the 
 
 Graunts from the Q. Ma'ti. 
 
 By Charter dated xmo. Octob'r Anno R'e vjmo. 
 A.D. 1564. 
 
 MADE TO Thomas Thurland M'r of the Savoy & Daniel 1 
 Hogstetter a Germain, and too their heyrs & assignees. 
 
 Of poour & authoritee too search dig try rost & mellt 
 allman' of mines & ures of Golld Sylver Copper & Quicksilver, 
 And too take up woorkmen, tymb'r, wood, cole & such lyke at 
 reasonable wages and prises and allso too purchas bonds in 
 ony estate of enheritauns w'hin the Coountees of York 
 Lancast'r Cumb'land Westmerlond Cornwall Devon Glouce'ter 
 & Worcester and the Principalitee of Wales as well w't'in her 
 Ma'te oun grounds as oothers. 
 
 Her Highness too have of all golld & sylver that shall be 
 foound neat w't'oout help of fyer or melltyng the xth part, 
 And of all golld ure & sylver hollding viij/z' weight in the C. 
 weight the lyke xth, and of every C. of copper ifs. or the 
 xxth p't at her Highnes' chois, during the fyrst v. yeers next 
 then and after those v. yeers ijs. vjd. upon the C. of copper 
 or the xvth part or just valu thearof at her lyke chois. 
 
 And too have the preferment in bying of all Pretioous 
 stones or pearl too be foound in the woorkyng of those 
 mines. And of Tynn too have in name of coynage, as in 
 Cornwail her highnes hath. And of Lead as in oother places 
 used, &c. 
 
 The oother L'res Patents dated the xvijth of Septemb'r 
 then next viz., Anno R'e vijmo. 1564 supradic'o. 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 39 
 
 Made too Will'm Humfrey & Chr'ofer Shutes a Germain 
 and too their heyrs & assignees of poour & authoritee too 
 dig search & try (as aforesayd) w't'in Englond & the English 
 pale in Irelond (excepting the places aforegraunted) 
 
 All ures simpl or mixt of Golld Silver Copper Quicksilver 
 & of all oothers. And allso for Tynn & Lead as hath been 
 used in oother places. And for the Calamine stone,* And 
 for makyng Lattyn thearw't', & all kynde of batry waer of 
 lattyn, iern, steel & of all maner of plates. 
 
 Her Hyghnes too have for the fyrst vj yeers then next, the 
 xfh part of all the pure mettalls or ures of Golld, Sylver & 
 Quicksylver. And of every C. weight of mixt ure hollding 
 viij/i or aboove of those rich mettalls too have all the -nth 
 part. And of Tynn in name of coynage, as her Ma'ti hath 
 in Devon and Cornwoll. And of Lead as in oother places of 
 the Realm. And of the calamine* the xx/A part or just 
 valu thearof. And of every C. of Copper for the said fyrst vj 
 yeers ijs. or the xxM part at her lykyng, and after those vj 
 yeers ijs. \]d. or the xvM part or valu at chois aforesayd, &c. 
 
 [Endorsed] 
 
 Untoo the right honorabl' Sir Frauncis Wallsingham, 
 Knight, One of the twoo Principall Secretaries unto the Q. 
 Ma'ti. 
 
 I am indebted, and so is my reader, to the liberality of Mr. 
 Jno. Thomas, colliery proprietor, of Court Herbert, near 
 Neath, for copies of these two Charters of f King James, of 
 which I shall now give the material points only, as the entire 
 would occupy too much space, being greatly overlaid in the 
 originals with legal repetition and verbosity. 
 
 * Lapis Calaminaris, this is an ore of Zinc, used for the making of 
 brass, or "Lattyn," as it is here termed ; frequently found in England. 
 
 t These copies were lithographed and on parchment, and Mr. Thomas 
 assured me that the transcribing and a few copies only cost him 50^", and 
 by the pains taken with them I can quite believe him. G. G. F. 
 
40 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 XVII. 
 
 CHARTER CONFIRMATORY TO 
 THE MINES ROYAL SOCIETY, 
 
 [A.D. 1604.]* 
 Granted at Windsor, the Twenty-eighth day of January, in 
 
 the Second Year of King James the First. 
 JAMES, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, 
 France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To all 
 to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting. 
 WHEREAS, our late dear sister, ELIZABETH, late Queen of 
 England, by Her Letters Patent, bearing date at Westminster, 
 the tenth day of October, in the Sixth year of Her reign, 
 [1564] for the considerations therein mentioned, did give and 
 grant full power, license, and authority to Thomas Thurland, 
 Clerk, deceased, late one of the Chaplains and Master of the 
 Hospital of the Savoy, and to Daniel Houghsetter, a German 
 born, and to their heirs and assigns and every of them, for 
 ever, by themselves, their servants, labourers or workmen, or 
 any of them, to search, dig, open, roast, melt, stamp, wash, 
 drain, or convey waters, or otherwise work for all manner of 
 mines or ewers of gold, silver, copper and quicksilver, within 
 Her Counties of York, Lancaster, Cumberland and West- 
 moreland, Cornwall, Devon, Gloucester and Worcester, and 
 within Her Principality of Wales, or in any of them, and the 
 same to try out, convert, and use to their most profit and 
 commodity, and the commodity of every of them for ever, as 
 well within Her own lands, grounds and possessions, as 
 also within the lands, grounds and possessions of any of 
 Her subjects, set, lying, and being within Her said Counties 
 and Principality, or in any of them, without any let or 
 
 * The original Charter to the Mineral and Battery Wks. Co. was dated 
 6 days sooner, and should therefore be printed before that to the Mines 
 Royal ; but I desire to follow the sequence given them by ' W. P.,' 
 doubtless for some good cause sufficiently well known to him. G. G. F. 
 

 /.V GLAMORGANSHIRE. 
 
 perturbation of Her, Her heirs or successors, or of any 
 other person or persons whatsoever, together with divers 
 other powers, authorities, licenses, privileges, benefits and 
 immunities specified in the said Letters Patent for and con- 
 cerning the effectual obtaining and enjoying of the premises 
 as by the same Letters Patent, among divers other clauses 
 and articles therein contained, more plainly and at large it 
 may and doth appear. 
 
 And whereas, HER pleasure, intent and meaning in Her 
 said Letters Patent was, that for the better help and more 
 commodity of the said Thomas Thurland and Daniel 
 Houghsetter and their several assigns, they and every of 
 them might from time to time, and at their pleasure, grant, 
 convey, and assign parts and portions in the said licenses, 
 privileges, powers, authorities, benefits and immunities, and 
 thereupon they and their several assigns have, since the 
 making of the said Letters Patent, for divers good con- 
 siderations, granted, assigned and conveyed unto divers 
 other persons, their heirs and assigns, divers parts and 
 portions of the licenses, powers, authorities, privileges, 
 benefits and immunities aforesaid, with such profit and 
 commodities as should or might arise by the use of the 
 same. 
 
 And WHEREAS, the said Thomas Thurland and Daniel 
 Houghsetter, and most of their grantees and assigns be since 
 deceased, [i. e. t between 1564 and 1604] and all or the 
 greatest part of the said licenses, powers, authorities, 
 privileges, benefits and immunities, together with all or 
 the greatest part of the profits and commodities by the 
 use of the said licenses, powers, authorities, privileges, 
 benefits and immunities arising and growing are now, by 
 divers descents, devises, conveyances, or other lawful means, 
 descended, devised, conveyed, or come unto the persons 
 
42 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 hereafter named (that is to say) to our right well-beloved 
 Cousin, William Earl of Pembroke,* and to our right 
 trusty and right well-beloved Councillor, Robert, Viscount 
 Cranborne, our principal Secretary; and to our trusty 
 and well-beloved Henry Lord Windsor, and to our right 
 trusty and right well-beloved Councillor, Thomas Lord 
 Burghley, and to our right trusty and well- beloved Thomas 
 Lord Gerrard, and to our trusty and right well-beloved 
 Counsellor, Sir John Popham, Knight, Chief Justice of the 
 Pleas before us to be holden, assigned, and to our trusty and 
 well-beloved Sir Edward Wynter, Knight, Sir Francis Popham, 
 Knight, Sir John Smith, Knight, Roger Owen, Knight: Francis 
 Needham, Arnold Oldsworth, Christopher Toldervey, William 
 Gamage, Francis Beale, Otes Nicholson, Esquires : Richard 
 Darnford, Gentleman; Edward Barnes, Mercer; Emanuel 
 Demetrius, Merchant Stranger; Abraham Van Deldon, 
 Merchant Stranger; Emanuel Hochstetter,f and Daniel 
 Hochstetter. 
 
 And WHEREAS, the said Thomas Thurland and Daniel 
 Hochsetter, in their lifetimes, and the said persons so as 
 aforesaid interested in the said licenses, powers, authorities, 
 
 * Of these names it may be worthy of note, that this Earl of Pembroke 
 was a Court favorite of the Tudors, and received many Grants of Manors, 
 &c., in Glamorgan ; amongst others, those of Neath and the adjoining 
 districts : That Francis Needham was the writer of the letters at pp. 25, 
 34, in this Vol., who also appears in the list of original shareholders : 
 Gamage, was the name of a well-known Glamorganshire family : Demetrius, 
 the stranger, was, possibly, a Greek merchant, of London; while Van 
 Deldon and the Hochstetters were evidently Dutch or Germans, the latter, 
 in all probability, two sonsf of the original Grantee : On the foregoing 
 Note I desire further to remark, that Lord Pembroke from his Manors 
 at and near Neath, was well aware of the Coal to be thence obtained 
 at reasonable cost, of suitable quality, and in any quantity; all very 
 important matters in relation to smelting operations ; the which it may 
 be observed has ruled the retention of Sites for such furnaces ever since. 
 
 G. G. F. 
 
 f Vide p. 38. 
 
43 
 
 privileges, benefits and immunities, and in the profits thereof 
 arising, their ancestors, and those whose Estate they have by 
 virtue of our said Letters Patent and by the skilful directions 
 of the said Daniel Houghstetter have travelled in the search, 
 works, and the experiments of the mines and ewers aforesaid, 
 to their very great charge and expenses, and have brought 
 these Works to very good effect, whereby great benefit hath 
 ensued and is like more and more to ensue to Us and this 
 our Realm of England, if the persons now and hereafter 
 having interests in the licenses, powers, authorities, privileges, 
 benefits and immunities aforesaid, and the profits thereby 
 arising, might, by our Grant, be incorporate and made a 
 perpetual Body Politic, thereby to avoid divers and sundry 
 inconveniences which, by the several deaths of the persons 
 abovesaid or their assigns, should also from time to time 
 ensue. 
 
 Know ye, therefore, that We, minding and carefully in- 
 tending the furtherance and advancement of the said Mineral 
 Works so prosperously attempted, and with great charges 
 begun and continued to the benefit and commodity of this 
 our Realm of England and the subjects of the same, are not 
 only well pleased and contented that the said William, Earl 
 of Pembroke (and the others before-named), their heirs and 
 assigns of every of them, together with such other persons 
 and person as now have any lawful interest of or in the said 
 licenses, powers, authorities, privileges, benefits and im- 
 munities, or any of them, shall enjoy, have, and use all the 
 authorities, privileges, grants, liberties and licenses contained 
 and specified in the said Letters Patent above remembered, 
 according to the articles, clauses, grants and covenants in the 
 same contained, which WE, for Us. our heirs and successors, 
 do by these presents ratify and confirm, and do will the same 
 in all respects to be construed and taken beneficially in favour 
 of the said William, Earl of Pembroke [and the others before- 
 
44 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 named], their heirs and assigns, and of the heirs and assigns 
 of them and every of them, but also for the better and more 
 advancement of the said Mineral Works, and also to prevent 
 such inconvenience as might hereafter be a let or hindrance 
 to the same of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and mere 
 motion have given and granted, and by these Presents for Us 
 our heirs and successors, do give and grant to the afore- 
 named William, Earl of Pembroke, [and others aforenamed], 
 that they, by the name of Governors, Assistants, and Society 
 of the City of London of and for the MINES ROYAL, shall 
 be from henceforth for ever one Body Politic in itself, 
 incorporate and a perpetual Society of themselves, both in 
 deed and name, and them by the name of Governors, 
 Assistants and Society of the City of London, of and for the 
 Mines Royal, WE for Us, our heirs and successors do 
 constitute, make, ordain, incorporate, name and declare 
 to be a Body Politic, corporate and perpetual, and by that 
 name to have succession and continuance for ever by these 
 Presents, and that they and their successors shall and may 
 from time to time for ever, have a Common Seal to serve for 
 the affairs and business of the said Governors, Assistants and 
 Society, and of their successors, and that they and their 
 successors shall and may be for ever able persons in the 
 law as well to purchase, obtain, get, have and enjoy to 
 them and their successors for ever, by the name aforesaid, of 
 all and every person and persons now having or which 
 hereafter shall have any lawful interest of, in, or to the said 
 liberties, licenses, powers, authorities, profits, commodities, 
 and other things whatsoever by the said late Queen granted 
 by Her said Letters Patent or of, in, or to any part or parts 
 thereof, all such right, title and interest as they or any of 
 them have of, in, or to the same, or any of them, or of, in, or 
 to any profit, benefit, or advantage arising of or by the same, 
 or any of them, or of or by any parts or portions of the 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 46 
 
 same, or any of them, as also to purchase, obtain, get, or 
 have, to them and their successors, of whatsoever person or 
 persons, bodies politic or corporate, in fee and perpetuity, or 
 for term of life, lives, or years, or otherwise, at their wills 
 and pleasures, lands, tenements, rents, reversions, and here- 
 ditaments, whatsoever they be, by the name of Governors, 
 Assistants, and Society of the City of London, of and for the 
 Mines Royal, and by the same name shall and may lawfully 
 alien, grant, let, or set the same lands, tenements, rents, 
 reversions, and hereditaments, or any part thereof, to any 
 person or persons able in the law to receive and take the 
 same, and that they and their successors, by the name of 
 Governors, Assistants, and Society of the City of London, 
 of and for the MINES ROYAL, shall and may be able in the 
 law to sue and be sued, [&c.] 
 
 And furthermore, WE, for Us, our heirs, and successors, do 
 by these presents, grant unto the said Governors, Assistants, 
 and Society, and their successors, that they shall and may 
 have one Governor, or two Governors of the said Society, 
 and one Deputy or more Deputies to the said Governor or 
 Governors, at their will and pleasure, and six more Assistants, 
 at their will and pleasure, to assist and be joined with the 
 Governor or Governors of the said Society, for the time being, 
 or his or their Deputy or Deputies, for the better government 
 of the said Society, and the matters, things, and causes of the 
 said Governors, Assistants, and Society of the City of London, 
 or of, or for the Mines Royal, from time to time, as need shall 
 require. 
 
 And further, WE do make, ordain, and constitute, by these 
 Presents, the before-named Robert Viscount Cranborne and 
 Sir John Popham, Knight, to be the first and present 
 Governors of the said Society, until the first Monday in the 
 month of May, which shall be in the year of our Lord God 
 Sixteen Hundred and Five, and further if need shall so 
 
46 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 require, until one other Governor, or two other Governors 
 shall be chosen in their place. 
 
 And We do likewise make, ordain and constitute, by these 
 Presents, the aforesaid Sir John Smith, Knight,* and Arnold 
 Oldsworthy, Esquire, to be the first and present Deputies to 
 the said Governors, until the said first Monday in the said 
 month of May, in the said year of our Lord God Sixteen 
 Hundred and Five. 
 
 And We do likewise make, ordain, and constitute, by these 
 Presents, the above-named Sir Roger Owen, Knt., Francis 
 Needham, Christopher Toldervey, William Gamage, Francis 
 Beale, and Otes Nicholson, to be the first and present 
 Assistants to the said Governors and to their said Deputies, 
 to have and enjoy the said offices of Assistants [until the 
 time aforesaid]. 
 
 And further, We for Us, our heirs and successors do by 
 these Presents grant to the said Governors, Assistants and 
 Society of the City of London, of and for the Mines Royal, 
 and to their successors, that they the said Governors, Assistants 
 and Society, and their successors and every of them, shall 
 and may from henceforth, until by rules and ordinances here- 
 after to be made as hereafter is declared, it shall be otherwise 
 appointed, in places convenient and honest, as well within 
 our City of London as elsewhere, within our Realm of 
 England, where the Governors of the said Society, or his or 
 their Deputy or Deputies for the time being, shall from time 
 to time appoint, and after for ever, at such other place or places 
 within our said Realm of England, as by rules and ordinances 
 hereafter from time to time to be made, from time to time 
 shall be appointed, assemble, and meet together in good and 
 decent order, as well for the keeping of their Courts and for 
 ordering of their affairs, business and things, as also fof 
 
 * Had this Sir Jno. Smith, appointed Deputy in 1604, anything to do 
 With either Sir Thos. Smith or Thomas Smyth the Customer ? G, G, F, 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 47 
 
 elections from time to time to be made of their Governor or 
 Governors, and of his or their Deputy or Deputies, and of 
 the Assistants aforesaid, or of any of them, and for the doing 
 and executing of all and singular the powers, authorities, and 
 things by these our Letters Patent in anywise granted, 
 according to the purport and true intent hereof shall and may 
 at such times and in such places as by ordinances, laws or 
 rules, according to the tenor of these presents to be made, 
 shall be from time to time therefor limited or appointed, 
 name, elect, and choose one sage and discreet person, or two 
 sage and discreet persons of the said Society, at their liberty 
 and pleasures, to be the Governor or Governors of the said 
 Society for one year ensuing, and so long after the same one 
 year until one other Governor or two other Governors (as the 
 case shall require) shall be duly elected and take upon him or 
 them the room or rooms of the Governor or Governors of the 
 same Society and one or so many more sage and discreet 
 persons of the said Society as by the like ordinances, laws, or 
 rules shall be limited or appointed to be the Deputy or Deputies 
 of the said Governor or Governors, for so long a time as by the 
 said laws, ordinances, or rules shall be limited or appointed, 
 and six or so many more discreet persons of the said Society, 
 as by the like ordinances, laws, or rules shall be limited or 
 appointed to be the Assistants of the said Governor or 
 Governors, and of his or their Deputy or Deputies, for so 
 long a time as by like ordinances, laws, or rules hereafter 
 shall be limited or appointed. 
 
 And that if it shall fortune the said Governor or Governors, 
 Deputy or Deputies and Assistants, or any of them before by 
 these presents appointed, or which shall hereafter be elected 
 or chosen as is aforesaid do die or decease out of this 
 transitory life before the end of the time for which they shall 
 be so elected and chosen as is aforesaid, that then and so 
 often it shall and may be lawful to or for the said Governor 
 
48 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 or Governors, Assistants and Society for the time being, or 
 the most part of them, or so many of them as by ordinances, 
 laws, or rules hereafter to be therefore devised, in form 
 aforesaid, shall be limited and appointed to name, elect, and 
 choose other discreet person or persons of the said Society, 
 at their liberty and pleasure, to have and use the office, room 
 and place, offices, rooms and places, of the same person or 
 persons so deceased. 
 
 Moreover, WE for Us, our heirs and successors, have given 
 and granted, and by these presents do give and grant unto 
 the said Governors, Assistants, and Society of the City of 
 London of and for the Mines Royal and to their successors, 
 that the said Governors and Assistants that now be by these 
 presents nominated and appointed, and the Society aforesaid, 
 or the most part of them, and the Governor or Governors 
 Assistants and Society of the City pf London of and for The 
 Mines Royal that hereafter shall be, or the most part of them, 
 or so many of them as by ordinance, laws, or rules hereafter 
 to be devised in form aforesaid shall be thought meet and 
 convenient, shall have full power and authority from time to 
 time at all times hereafter to keep assemblies and courts for 
 the good rule and government of all causes, matters, and 
 things belonging to the said Governors, Assistants, and 
 Society of the City of London of and for the Mines Royal, 
 and at such of the same assemblies and courts which, by 
 laws, rules, or ordinances in that behalf, shall be made 
 according to the purport of these presents shall be limited or 
 appointed, to make, ordain, establish, and enact all such 
 statutes, acts, ordinances, and rules for admitting of more 
 persons which have or shall be appointed to have, for term 
 of their life or lives at least, the benefit of such part of the 
 feaid licenses, powers, authorities, privileges, benefits, and 
 immunities as in these presents is hereinafter expressed, and 
 in manner and form hereafter in these presents expressed, to 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 40 
 
 be members of the said body public, and for the expelling or 
 dismembering of such as shall be deemed unworthy to con- 
 tinue members of the said body corporate, and for the good 
 and laudable demeanour and order of the Governor and 
 Governors of the said Society, from time to time, for ever, 
 and of his and their Deputy or Deputies, and of the Assistants 
 of the Society that now be, or hereafter shall be, and also for 
 the good government and order of the said Society, and of 
 every person of the said Corporation, and of all and singular 
 their causes, affairs, things, and business, from time to time, 
 for ever, and for every other thing and matter whatsoever in 
 these Letters Patent specified, or by the same referred to be 
 ordered or directed by laws, rules, or ordinances hereafter to 
 be made as to them shall be thought good, meet, convenient, 
 and necessary, and the statutes, acts, ordinances, and rules, or 
 any of them at their will and pleasure, at any such their 
 assemblies and courts, as by their rules, ordinances, and 
 laws in form aforesaid, to be devised shall be limited, to alter, 
 change, revoke, and make void in part, or in all, from time to 
 time. 
 
 And further We do for us, our heirs and successors, as 
 much as in us is will and grant, by these presents unto the 
 said Governors, Assistants, and Society of the City of London 
 of and for The Mines Royal, and to their successors, that the 
 said Governors, Assistants, and Society that now be, by these 
 presents, nominated and appointed, and the Governor, 
 Assistants, and Society that hereafter shall be, or the more 
 part of them, or so many of them as by the ordinances or 
 rules hereafter to be therefor devised as is aforesaid, shall be 
 limited or appointed at such of their said courts and assemblies 
 as in form aforesaid shall and may not only admit into the 
 said Corporation and Society such and as many persons 
 whether they be English or denizens, aliens or Strangers, as 
 by the statutes, acts, ordinances, and rules aforesaid, or any 
 
 E 
 
60 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 of them, shall be prescribed or appointed, so that every such 
 person so hereafter to be admitted shall either according 
 to the tenor and true meaning of the statutes, acts, and 
 ordinances, and rules in that behalf hereafter to be made 
 as is aforesaid, be appointed at or before time of his 
 admission to have for the term of his life at least the benefit 
 of a quarter of one four-and-twentieth part of the licenses, 
 powers, authorities, privileges, benefits, and immunities 
 aforesaid, or else being admitted within one year now next 
 ensuing, shall be appointed, as is aforesaid, at or before the 
 time of his said admission to have, for the term of life at 
 least, the benefit of half a- quarter of one four-and-twentieth 
 part of the licenses, powers, authorities, benefits, and im- 
 munities aforesaid, or else, being a Gentleman and a 
 Freeholder of an estate of inheritance to his own use, without 
 condition, in deed of lands and tenements within the counties 
 of Lancaster, Cumberland, and Westmoreland, or any of 
 them, to the clear yearly value of forty marks of lawful 
 English money, over and above all charges, shall, according 
 to the tenor and true meaning of the statutes, [&c.,] and 
 shall be admitted within the space of three years now next 
 ensuing, and not at any time after, but also shall and may 
 minister to such person so to be admitted an oath, tending to 
 the due performing and keeping of rules, statutes, and 
 ordinances, in form aforesaid to be made, and a note of such 
 admittance shall deliver in writing, under their Common Seal, 
 to the person so admitted, which person or persons that shall 
 fortune hereafter to be, in manner and form aforesaid, 
 admitted into the said Society and Corporation, shall from 
 the time of his or their admittance and oath, taken in manner 
 and form aforesaid be free of the same ; and that no person 
 or persons who shall hereafter be admitted into the said 
 Society in any other manner or form than is before expressed 
 or contrary to the purport or true meaning of these presents, 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 51 
 
 shall, in anywise, be or be accounted any member of the said 
 Society or Corporation ; and that no person or persons which 
 now be or hereafter shall be admitted into the said Society, in 
 manner and form before expressed, and according to the 
 purport and true meaning of these presents, and which, at the 
 time of his admittance, hath or shall have, or is, or shall be 
 appointed to have the benefit of one quarter of one four-and- 
 twentieth part of the licenses, powers, authorities, privileges, 
 benefits, or immunities aforesaid, or more, shall alien, 
 renounce or depart with, or be otherwise according to rules, 
 acts, and ordinances, in that behalf hereafter to be made as 
 is aforesaid, amoved, avoided or excluded of or from his 
 whole benefit or interest of and in the said licenses or other 
 the premises, or of or from so much of the same as the 
 residue of the said benefit or interest of or in the said 
 licenses and other the premises which shall remain to him 
 during his life at the least, shall not amount and extend to 
 the benefit of one whole quarter of one four-and-twentieth 
 part of the said licenses and other the premises shall anywise 
 at any time after be, or be accounted to be any member of 
 the said society or Corporation, and that no person or 
 persons which now be or hereafter shall be admitted into the 
 said Society in manner or form before expressed, and 
 according to the purport and true meaning of these presents, 
 and which, at the time of his admittance, hath or shall have, 
 or is or shall be appointed to have the benefit but of one 
 half-quarter of one fourth-and-twentieth part of the licenses, 
 [&c.,] shall in anywise or at any time after be or be accounted 
 to be any member of the same Society or Corporation, 
 anything before in these presents contained, or any act, rules, 
 or ordinance hereafter to be made to the contrary in anywise 
 notwithstanding. 
 
 And also that the said Governors, Assistants, and Society 
 that now be by these presents nominated and appointed, and 
 
 E 2 
 
52 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 the Governors, Assistants, and Society that hereafter shall be, 
 or the more part of them or so many of them as by ordinances 
 hereafter to be therefore devised as is aforesaid, shall be 
 limited or appointed at such of their said Courts and 
 Assemblies, as in form aforesaid shall be limited may dis- 
 member and put out of the said Society and Corporation 
 such person or persons as they shall determine unworthy to 
 be continued a member of the said Corporation : And also 
 that the Governors, Assistants, and Society of the City of 
 London, of and for the Mines Royal, and their successors or 
 as many of them as by the ordinances, laws, or rules, in form 
 aforesaid shall be made shall be authorised, shall and may 
 from time to time, at their pleasure, keep ordinary Courts 
 and Assemblies for to put the statutes, acts, and rules so to 
 be made, and remaining in force and not repugnant to 
 anything contained in these presents in due execution, and to 
 rule and govern according to the said statutes, acts, ordinances, 
 or rules, every person or persons being a member or 
 members of the body politic or Corporation aforesaid, and 
 all the ministers, officers, laborers, and workmen of the said 
 Governors, Assistants, and Society, and of their successors, 
 and to execute and do full and speedy justice to them, and 
 every of them, in all their causes, differences, variances, 
 controversies, and complaints within any our realms, 
 dominions, or jurisdictions among themselves to be had or 
 moved in anywise. 
 
 And also We for Us, our heirs and successors, have granted, 
 and by these presents of our special grace, certain knowledge 
 and mere motion, do grant unto the said Governors, Assistants, 
 and Society of the City of London of and for The Mines 
 Royal, and to their successors, that they and their successors 
 shall and may lawfully purchase, obtain, take, have, and enjoy 
 to them and their successors for ever, lands, tenements and 
 hereditaments whatsoever, which be not or shall not be 
 
AY GLAMORGANSHIRE. 63 
 
 holden of Us, our heirs and successors, immediately in capite 
 or in chief, so that the said lands, tenements or hereditaments 
 exceed not in the whole the clear yearly value of one 
 hundred pounds of lawful money of England. 
 
 And also We will, and by these presents do grant for Us, 
 our heirs and successors, to the said Governors, Assistants, 
 and Society, that they or the more part of them, or so many 
 of them as for the time, by statutes, acts, ordinances and 
 rules in form aforesaid to be made, or any of them, shall be 
 thereto appointed or authorised, shall and may have full 
 power and authority by these presents from time to time, as 
 to them it shall seem good, to limit, set, ordain, and put 
 reasonable pains and penalties, by fines, forfeitures, and 
 imprisonments, or any of them, upon any being a member or 
 members of the body politic, Society or Corporation aforesaid, 
 or a minister, officer, or servant, labourer or workman of the 
 same, for any offence touching the said Governors, Assistants 
 and Society, or their works, affairs, or other things contrary 
 to the statutes, acts, ordinances and rules so to be devised 
 and made as aforesaid, or any of them. 
 
 And further, We will by these presents, that if any of the 
 Body Politic, Society or Corporation, at any time hereafter 
 shall be found contrarious, rebelling, or disobedient to the 
 said Governor or Governors and Assistants for the time being, 
 or to any, the statutes, acts, ordinances, or rules to be made 
 as is aforesaid and then remaining in force, and not repugnant 
 to anything in these presents, that then the said Governors 
 and Assistants of the said Society and Corporation for the 
 time being, or the more part of them, or such and so many 
 of them as by statutes, acts, ordinances, or rules aforesaid 
 shall be therefore authorised, shall and may, by virtue of 
 these presents, correct and punish all and every such offender 
 or offenders, as well by fines, pains and penalties, as by im- 
 prisonment within any of the gaols or prisons of Us, our 
 
64 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 heirs or successors, as the quality of the fault shall require, 
 according to their good discretions. And further, We will 
 that none of the said offender or offenders shall decline from 
 or refuse the justice, order, direction, power, or authority of 
 the said Governor or Governors and Assistants, or the more 
 part of them for the time being, or of the persons so to be 
 authorised as is aforesaid. 
 
 Moreover, We, for us, our heirs and successors will, and by 
 these presents grant unto the said Governors, Assistants, and 
 Society, and to their successors, that the said Governor or 
 Governors, and Assistants of the Society aforesaid for the 
 time being, or the more part of them, shall have full power 
 and authority to assign, constitute, and ordain one officer or 
 divers officers as well within our said City of London as also 
 in any other places of this our realm of England, which 
 officer or officers we will to be called by the name or names 
 of Serjeant or Serjeants of the City of London, of and for 
 the Mines Royal ; and that the said Serjeants shall and may- 
 have full power and authority, by these presents, to take, 
 receive, levy, and gather all manner of fines, forfeitures, 
 penalties or pains of every person or persons of the said 
 Body politic or Society that shall be convicted upon or for 
 breaking of any statutes, acts, ordinances, or rules, to be 
 made as is aforesaid. 
 
 And further, We will and also grant for us, our heirs and 
 successors, that the said officer or officers shall have further 
 power and authority for default of payment or for disobedience 
 in that behalf, if need be to set hands, take, and arrest, as 
 well the body and bodies, as also the goods and chattels of 
 such offender or offenders and transgressors in all and every 
 place and places being no town and city corporate : And if it 
 shall fortune any such offender or offenders, their goods or 
 chattels, or any part thereof to be in any city or town corporate 
 where the said officer or officers may not lawfully intromit or 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 65 
 
 intermeddle, that then the mayors, sheriffs, bailiffs, or other 
 head officers or ministers within any such city or town cor- 
 porate, upon a precept to them or any of them, to be directed 
 under the common seal of the said Governors, Assistants, 
 and Society for the time being, shall and may attach and 
 arrest the body and bodies, goods and chattels, of such 
 offender or offenders there being: and the said body or 
 bodies, goods and chattels, and every part, and every part so 
 attached and seized shall, according to the tenor and purport 
 of the said precept. And further, We will and grant for us, 
 our heirs and successors, by these presents, that all and every 
 such mayor, sheriff, bailiff, and other head officers and 
 ministers of such city or town corporate shall not be im- 
 peached, molested, vexed, or sued in any court or courts of us, 
 our heirs or successors, for executing or putting into execution 
 any of the said precept or precepts, [&c.] 
 
 Nevertheless, Our will and pleasure is, that in all assemblies 
 hereafter to be had for the making or devising of any of the 
 laws, rules, orders, or ordinances aforesaid, or for the making 
 of the elections aforesaid, or for the doing of any other thing 
 aforesaid, by these presents referred to be done, or which by 
 any laws, rules, or ordinances to be made as is aforesaid, 
 shall be referred to be done by the most part of the said 
 Society, or by any other number by these presents appointed, 
 or hereafter to be appointed in manner and form aforesaid, 
 every person that shall be a member of the said body politic, 
 and that shall be appointed in manner and form therefore 
 before limited, to have the benefit of half-a-quarter or more 
 of one four-and-twentieth part of the said licenses, powers, 
 authorities, privileges, benefits and immunities, shall be 
 admitted to have a voice and suffrage and to be accounted to 
 be of the said numbers and none other in any manner of wise, 
 the same account to be made and every such voice and 
 suffrage to be reckoned, esteemed, and allowed, of in manner 
 
56 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 and form ensuing and not otherwise (that is to say), that the 
 voice and suffrage of every person that shall be appointed in 
 manner and form therefore before limited, to have the benefit 
 of one four-and-twentieth part of the said licenses, powers, 
 authorities, privileges, benefits, and immunities, shall be 
 accounted, esteemed, and reckoned of as great account, force, 
 and validity, and for so many voices and suffrages as the voices 
 and suffrages of any two other persons of the said Society, 
 whereof each one shall be appointed to have the benefit in 
 manner and form therefore before limited, but of half-a-quarter 
 of one four-and-twentieth part of the said licenses, powers, 
 authorities, privileges, benefits, and immunities, be, or shall 
 be, and so after that rate and proportion, the voice and 
 suffrage of every singular person that shall be in manner and 
 form therefore before limited, appointed to have the benefit 
 of any greater part or proportion of the said licenses, powers, 
 authorities, privileges, benefits, and immunities than one 
 quarter of one four-and-twentieth part thereof shall be 
 accounted, reckoned, or esteemed to be of as great account, 
 force, and validity, and for so many voices and suffrages of so 
 many other divers several persons whereof every one shall be 
 appointed in manner and form therefore limited, to have but 
 the benefit of half-a-quarter of one four-and-twentieth part of 
 the said licenses, powers, authorities, privileges, benefits, and 
 immunities, and whose said several portions shall not exceed 
 in quantity the said part o* portion of the said singular 
 person be or shall be willing therefore, and straitly charging 
 and commanding all and singular our officers, mayors, 
 sheriffs, justices, escheators, constables, bailiffs, and all and 
 singular other our ministers, liege men, and subjects 
 whatsoever to be aiding, favoring, helping, and assisting 
 to the said Governors, Assistants, and Society, and to their 
 successors, and to their officers, ministers, Serjeants, factors, 
 deputies, and assigns, and to the deputies, factors, and 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 67 
 
 assigns of every of them in executing and enjoying the 
 premises and every of them from time to time, and at all 
 times when they or any of them shall be thereto required, 
 although express mention, &c. 
 
 In witness whereof, &c. 
 
 We shall now proceed with the other confirmatory Charter of 
 King James the First, granted to "The Mineral and Battery* 
 Works Society" six days previous to the one we have just 
 been perusing. These two Companies were, in the time of 
 Charles the Second, practically amalgamated, for in the 
 year 1670, they had the same Governor, Deputy Governors, 
 and Assistants, and were generally known by the name of 
 " The Mines Royal " ; and they so remained under one 
 management until their dissolution in 1852, when, by the 
 combined action of several of the Copper Companies of that 
 day purchasing up the Shares and then not carrying out the 
 executive clauses in the Charters, the powers were allowed to 
 lapse, and so the charters lost their old vitality and legal 
 force. 
 
 As in the former Grant we found a German joined to an 
 Englishman, so here again we have the then Master of the 
 English Mint partner with another German, "a workmaster of 
 St. Annenburg in Saxony," skilful in the finding of Calamine 
 or Zinc, and in the mixing of it with Copper for the making 
 of Latten or Brass. The preamble of the Grant is, however, 
 so explicit that I shall not further amplify but request its 
 careful perusal for the very interesting details which it gives 
 of the Originators and of their manufactures. 
 
 * This word might appear puzzling were it not remembered that it 
 means hammered or beaten, which is peculiarly the practice with Copper 
 and Brass manufacturers the word remains in common use in the law, 
 people being constantly before the Justices for assault and battery. 
 
68 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 CONFIRMATORY CHARTER TO THE MINERAL 
 
 AND BATTERY* WORKS SOCIETY. 
 
 Granted by Qn. Elizabeth, and 
 
 Confirmed at Westminster Abbey, the Twenty-second clay of 
 January, in the First Year of the Reign King James the 
 First ( 1 604) as follows : 
 
 JAMES, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, 
 France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To 
 all to whom these our Letters Patent shall come, 
 Greeting, 
 
 WHEREAS our dear late Sister Elizabeth, late Queen of 
 England, having received credible information that her 
 faithful and well beloved subjects, William Humphrey, then 
 Say master of her Mint within her Tower of London, by his 
 great endeavour, labour, and charges, have brought into her 
 realm of England one Christopher Shutz, now deceased, an 
 Almaigne, born at St. Annenberg, under the obedience of the 
 Elector of Saxony, a Work-Master, as it was reported, of 
 great cunning, knowledge, and experience, as well in the 
 finding of the Calamine stone called in Latin " Lapis Cala- 
 minaris " and in the right and proper use of the commodity 
 thereof for the composition of the mixed metal commonly 
 called Laten, and in reducing it to be soft and malleable, and 
 also in apting, mannering, and working the same for and 
 into all sorts of battery wares, cast work, and wire, and also 
 in the mollifying and mannering of iron and steel, and 
 drawing and forging of the same into wire and plates, as well 
 
 * This should have preceded xvii, being dated 6 days earlier, see note 
 at foot of p. 40. 
 
 But again, query as to this, for James's were but confirmatory Charters 
 to those granted by Elizabeth, and in these the dates are the other way, 
 giving the Mines Royal the precedence. G. G, F, 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE, 69 
 
 convenient and necessary for the making of Armour, and also 
 for divers other needful and profitable uses. The said late 
 Queen Elizabeth thereupon, through the good hope she had 
 received of the information aforesaid, and certainty of the 
 same, of her special grace, certain knowledge, mere motion, 
 and prerogative royal, by her Letters Patents under the Great 
 Seal of England, bearing date at Westminster, the seventeenth 
 day of September, in the seventh year of her reign [1565], 
 for her, her heirs and successors, did give and grant full 
 power, commission, license, and authority to the said William 
 Humphrey and Christopher Shutz, their heirs and assigns, 
 and every of them for ever, by themselves, their servants, 
 labourers, workmen, deputies, and assignees, to search, dig, 
 and mine for the said Calamine Stone, in all places of her 
 realm and kingdom of England, and within the parts of 
 Ireland known at the time of the making of her said Letters 
 Patents by the usual name of the English Pale, and all the 
 dominions and territories of the same, or either of them, and 
 the same stone, and the only use employing and commodity 
 thereof for the making and compounding of laten and 
 all other mixed metal to take, have, use, enjoy and employ, 
 and also all kinds and sorts of battery wares, cast works, and 
 wire of laten, iron, steel and battery, to make, manner, and 
 work into, and for all manner of plate and wire or otherwise, 
 needful and convenient for all manner, uses and purposes, to 
 their most benefit and profit, and to the benefit and profit 
 of every of them for ever : and any house or houses by their 
 or any of their discretion meet, necessary, and convenient for 
 the melting, mannering, casting, working and compounding 
 of the said metals, battery plate and wire, at their pleasure, 
 and at their own proper costs and charges to erect, build, set 
 up and use, as well in and upon any her own lands, grounds 
 and possessions, as also in and upon the lands, grounds and 
 possessions of any of her subjects within her said Kingdom 
 
60 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 and Realms of England, and parts of Ireland, as is above 
 said or either of them, or within any of her dominions, 
 territories, borders or confines of the same, or of any of them, 
 without any manner of let, perturbance or molestation of her, 
 her heirs or successor, or of any other person or persons, 
 together with divers other powers, authorities, licenses, 
 privileges, benefits and immunities specified in the said 
 Letters Patents, as by the same amongst divers other clauses 
 and articles therein contained more plainly and at large it 
 doth and may appear. 
 
 WHEREAS ALSO, the said late Queen Elizabeth, by her 
 other Letters Patents, bearing date at Westminster the said 
 seventeenth day of September, in the said seventh year of her 
 reign, [1565] reciting by the same that where theretofore she 
 had granted privilege to Cornelius de Vos for the mining and 
 digging in her Realm of England for alum and copperas, 
 and for divers ewers of metal that were to be found in 
 digging for the said alum and copperas, incidentally or 
 consequently, without fraud or guile, as by the same her 
 privilege might appear. And further, reciting by the same 
 her Letters Patent last mentioned, That whereas she, moved 
 by the credible report to her made by one Daniel Houghsetter, 
 a German born, and of skill and knowledge of and in all 
 manner of mines of metals and minerals, had given and 
 granted privilege to Thomas Thurland, Clerk, one of Her 
 Chaplains, and Master of Her Hospital of Savoy, and to the 
 same Daniel for digging and mining of all manner of ewers 
 of gold, silver, copper, and quicksilver, within her Counties 
 of York, Lancaster, Cumberland, Westmoreland, Cornwall, 
 Devon, and Worcester, and within her Principality of Wales, 
 and with the same further to deal as by her said privilege 
 thereof, granted and made to the said Thomas Thurland and 
 Daniel Houghsetter may appear, and where she then being 
 minded that the said commodities and all other treasures of 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 61 
 
 the earth in all other places of her realm of England, and 
 also in the parts called the English pale, within her realm of 
 Ireland, should be searched out for the benefit and profit of 
 her, her said realms, and subjects of the same, and having 
 then received credible information as well of the great 
 industry, travel, and expense that her faithful and well-beloved 
 subject, William Humphry, then Say Master of her Mint 
 within the Tower of London, had about mines, mineral 
 ewers, and matters metalline, of long time bestowed and 
 borne, and then did whereby they were found out in divers 
 and sundry the said other places of said realms, not only 
 divers ewers of metals likely to prove right rich and profitable, 
 but also as and by his diligence, procurement, and charges, 
 there were then * brought and worne [sic] into her said 
 realms of England Work-Masters of great cunning, perfectness, 
 knowledge, and experience in all kinds of mineral works and 
 water works for the draining of all manner of mines, therefore 
 the said late Queen Elizabeth, of her special grace, certain 
 knowledge, mere motion and prerogative royal, by the same 
 her last recited letters patents for her, her heirs and successors, 
 did give and grant full power, license, and authority to the 
 said William Humphry and to Christopher Shutz, their heirs 
 and assigns, and every of them for ever, by them, their 
 servants, labourers, workmen, deputies, and assignees, to 
 search, open, dig, mine, and try all earths, grounds, soils, and 
 places of and in her kingdom and realm of England, and of 
 and in all the dominions, territories, borders, and confines of 
 the same, together with all and singular so much of her realm 
 of Ireland, territories and dominions thereof, as then were 
 within the limits and bounds of all which was or before had 
 been known, called, or taken to be of the English pale, 
 except only the Principality and Counties expressed in the 
 
 * Worne, possibly here means settled or used. O. G. f. 
 
62 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 said privilege to the said Thomas Thurland and *David 
 Houghsetter, as is aforesaid granted : and to convey, carry, 
 and work in waters and water works belonging to the said 
 mines, in all places and territories of and in her said realms, 
 and either of them, as afore is mentioned, except before 
 excepted for all manner of ewers, simple and pure, or mixed 
 and compound, of the metals of gold, silver, copper, 
 quicksilver, and for all other minerals and treasure likely to 
 be found in the said earth, grounds, places, and soils, or any 
 of them, and for tin and lead in such sorts as by the laws and 
 customs of her said realm thence was and before had been 
 lawfully, copperas and lead in her said realm of England, 
 as before is said only excepted : and the same ewers, simple 
 or mixed minerals, metals, and treasures, to drain, break, 
 stamp, wash, boil, roast, and melt, or otherwise to fine and 
 bring to best perfection of metal, and them and every of them, 
 to convert, take, enjoy, and use, to their most commodity 
 and profit, and to the profit of them and every of them for 
 ever, and any house or houses by their discretion, meet, 
 necessary, and convenient, for the working and mannering of 
 the said ewers, minerals, and matters metalline, at their 
 pleasure, at their own proper costs and charges, to erect, 
 build, set up, and use, as well in and upon any her own 
 lands, grounds, and possessions, as also in and upon the 
 lands, grounds, and possessions of any of her said subjects, 
 within her said realm or kingdom of England, and 
 rvithin the parts of her said realm of Ireland aforesaid, or 
 either of them, or within any dominions, territories, 
 borders, or confines of the same, or of either of them, 
 without any manner of let, perturbance, or molestation 
 of her, her heirs or successors, or any other person or persons, 
 together with divers other powers, authorities, licenses, 
 privileges, benefits, immunities, and exemptions specified in 
 * Apparently a clerical error of David for Daniel. 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 63 
 
 the said last recited Letters Patents, as by the same amongst 
 divers other Clauses and Articles therein mentioned, and 
 plainly and at large it doth and may appear. 
 
 And whereas for the better execution of the said grants, 
 powers, authorities, licenses, privileges, benefits and im- 
 munities, and for the raising a convenient stock to be employed 
 in the building of water-works, erecting of houses, provision 
 of wood, mine and coal, buying of tools and payment of 
 wages, and supply of divers other things in and about the 
 execution of the said grants, powers, authorities, licenses, 
 privileges, benefits and immunities, they the said William 
 Humphry and Christopher Shutz have heretofore granted to 
 divers other persons, their heirs and assigns, divers parts and 
 portions of the said grants, powers, authorities, licenses, 
 privileges, benefits and immunities, to them, their heirs and 
 assigns as aforesaid, made and granted together, with all such 
 profits and commodities as should and might arise from the 
 same. 
 
 And whereas the said William Humphrey and Christopher 
 Shutz, and most of their grantees be since deceased, and all 
 or the greatest part of the said powers, authorities, licenses, 
 privileges, benefits and immunities to the said William 
 Humphrey and Christopher Shutz, their heirs and assigns, by 
 the said two several letters patent granted as aforesaid, 
 together with all or the greater part of the profits and com- 
 modities by the use of the same powers, authorities, licenses, 
 privileges, benefits and immunities arising and growing, are 
 now by divers descents, devises, conveyances, or other lawful 
 means descended, devised, conveyed, or come unto the 
 persons hereinafter named, that is to say, to our right well- 
 beloved Cousin, William Earl of Pembroke; and to our right 
 trusty and right well-beloved Chancellor, Robert Lord Cecil, 
 our principal Secretary; and to our trusty and well-beloved 
 Sir Julius Cesar, Knight, one of our Masters of Requests ; 
 
64 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 Sir James Pemberton, Knight, Alderman of our City of 
 London ; Sir William Bond and Sir James Lancaster, Knights ; 
 John Osborn, Thomas Cesar, Francis Bartye the elder, Arnold 
 Oldsworth, *Christopher Toldervey, William Gamage, Charles 
 Chute, Henry Tamworth, and William Bond the elder, 
 Esquires ; Henry Palmer, Francis Bartye the younger, Richard 
 Danford and George Browne, Gentlemen, and to Richard 
 Martin the younger, and Nathaniel Martin, of our City of 
 London, Goldsmiths, and to Richard Collins, of our said City 
 of London, Stationer, and to Alexander Found, of our said 
 City of London, Embroiderer. 
 
 And whereas the said William Humphry and Christopher 
 Shutz in their lifetimes, and the said persons so as aforesaid 
 interested in the said power, authorities, licenses, privileges, 
 benefits and immunities, and in the profits thereof arising, 
 their ancestors, and those whose estates they have by virtue 
 of the said several Letters Patent, have travelled in the 
 search, right use, working and experiment of the said 
 Calamine Stone, and of other the said Battery Works, Ewers, 
 Minerals, and matters metaline to their very great charge and 
 expenses, and have brought the same to very good effect, 
 whereby great benefit and profit have ensued, and is likely 
 more and more to ensue to us and our said Realms, if the 
 persons now and hereafter having interest in the powers, 
 authorities, licenses, privileges, benefits and immunities 
 aforesaid, and the profits thereby arising might by our grant 
 be incorporated and made a perpetual body politic, thereby to 
 avoid divers and sundry inconveniences, which by the several 
 debts of the persons above said or their assigns should else 
 from time to time ensue. 
 
 Know ye therefore that We, earnestly minding and intending 
 the furtherance and advancement of the right use and working 
 of the Calamine Stone, and other the premises, are not only 
 
 * Some of these may be found in the other Charter of a previous page, 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 65 
 
 well contented and pleased that the said [names before 
 mentioned] together with such other person and persons as 
 now have any lawful interest of or in the said grants, powers, 
 authorities, licenses, privileges, benefits and immunities con- 
 tained and specified in the said several letters patent above 
 remembered, according to the clauses, articles, grants and 
 covenants in the same contained, which we for us, our heirs 
 and successors, do by these presents ratify and confirm, and 
 do will the same in all respects to be construed and taken 
 beneficially in favour of the same [names before mentioned] 
 and every other person and persons now have, or which 
 hereafter shall have any lawful interest of or in the said 
 grants, powers, authorities, licenses, privileges, benefits and 
 immunities, or any of them, by or under the persons aforesaid, 
 which have now the present interest in the same ; but also 
 for the better and more advancement of the said working of 
 the said Calamine Stone at Battery Works and other the 
 premises, and to prevent such inconveniences as might here- 
 after be a let or hindrance to the same of our especial grace, 
 certain knowledge and mere motion have given and granted, 
 and by these presents for us our heirs and successors do give 
 and grant to the afore-named that they shall be from hence- 
 forth for ever one body politic and corporate in itself, and a 
 perpetual society of themselves, both in deed and in name by 
 the name of Governors, Assistants and Society of the City of 
 London of and for the Mineral and Battery Works, and them 
 by the name of Governors, Assistants, and Society of the City 
 of London of and for The Mineral and Battery Works, We 
 for Us, our heirs and successors, do by these Presents con- 
 stitute, ordain, incorporate, name and declare to be one body 
 corporate and perpetual, and that by that name they shall and 
 may have succession and continuance for ever by these 
 Presents, and that they and their successors shall and may 
 from time to time for ever have a Common Seal. 
 
 F 
 
66 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 The remainder of the Charter I shall give in the most 
 abbreviated form, both for the comfort of the reader and the 
 saving of space. 
 
 May by their name, &c., purchase lands. 
 
 May by the same name sue and be sued. 
 
 May have two Governors, two or more Deputies, and eight 
 or more Assistants. 
 
 Names of the present Governors [before stated]. 
 
 Names of the first Deputies [before stated]. 
 
 Names of the first eight Assistants [before stated] 
 
 May hold Courts in London or elsewhere in England, until 
 otherwise appointed. 
 
 To elect two Governors, two Deputies, and eight or more 
 Assistants, who are to continue until others are chosen, and 
 
 If any die, power to choose others in their stead. 
 
 To have power to make laws, admit and increase members, 
 and to fine and disfranchise the disobedients. 
 
 May alter and change bye-laws and make new. 
 
 Officers, &c., of the Company exempted from serving on 
 juries.* 
 
 May admit aliens and strangers to be members. 
 
 May dismember those whom the Court shall deem unworthy 
 to continue Members. 
 
 To keep Courts for hearing all causes arising between 
 members, &c. 
 
 May purchase and hold lands, &c., not held in capite, to 
 the clear yearly value of /^ioo. 
 
 Power to inflict fines on offending members, and sue for same. 
 
 May imprison any offending members in gaols, &c. 
 
 May appoint one or more officers, called Serjeants, to 
 levy fines. 
 
 * A few years ago I was present when this privilege was asserted and 
 allowed by the Judges in the Assize Court at Swansea, to the then 
 Manager, Mr. W. Edmond. G. G. F. 
 
fit GLAMORGANSHIRE. 6t 
 
 The Serjeants may arrest. But if in a city or town, Mayor 
 or officer, upon a precept from the Court, to arrest. 
 
 The intent of this Charter to reform and supply some 
 defects in former Patents. 
 
 Power to dig for Calamine Stone in England and Ireland, 
 and make therewith mixed metals, &c. 
 
 Not to dig under any house, &c., without consent of owner, 
 &c. Nor under any castle or other place belonging to the Crown 
 without consent, and shall make satisfaction for all damages. 
 
 Four persons to arbitrate damages. If they cannot agree, 
 the matter to be brought before His Majesty's Council, there 
 to be decided. 
 
 All other persons forbid to use the Calamine Stone, or to 
 dig or search for it. Forbids all persons to dig, get or mine 
 any of the aforesaid ores, metals, &c., without license from 
 the Company. 
 
 All other persons forbid to stop or hinder the Company or 
 their servants, and also to use or occupy any the like engines 
 without license, upon forfeiture of IQQ for every offence, 
 half to the Company and half to the Crown. 
 
 May hire artificers, and buy all manner of instruments, and 
 may buy all timber except oak, elm and ash, and may chark* 
 and use the same in and about the said works. 
 
 If the Crown thinks fit to have the other part of Ireland 
 tried besides the English Pale, the Company to have the 
 same prerogative as in English Pale. 
 
 The privileges granted to this Company are declared valid 
 against all future grants, &c. 
 
 But if the Crown should think fit to resume this Grant, 
 it may, first paying the proprietors the charges they have 
 been at, provided it be kept for the use of the Crown, and 
 not let to any person or persons. 
 
 * Evidence of the extent to which the use of Charcoal was applied in 
 this manufacture, prior to the general use of native Coal. 
 
 F 2 
 
68 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 And for the better execution of the premises, we will and 
 command to all and singular our Justices, Barons of our 
 Exchequer, and to our Serjeants-at-Law, Attorney and 
 Solicitors-General, and to all other our ministers and 
 officers whatsoever, that the said Governors, Assistants and 
 Society, and all and every person and persons being of the 
 same Society, or being any factor or agent of their or any of 
 their business, shall have and enjoy all the benefit of these 
 Presents from and after the said seventeenth day of 
 September, in the said seventh year of the reign of the said 
 late Queen, and that our said Justices, Barons, Serjeants, 
 Attorney, Solicitor and other our Officers or Ministers 
 aforesaid, or any of them, do not receive, allow, or suffer to 
 be prosecuted in any of our Courts, any action, information, 
 suit or process against the said Governors, Assistants or 
 Society, or any other the person or persons aforesaid, and 
 their factors or agents aforesaid, or any of them, for or 
 touching any matter or thing in or by these Presents granted, 
 any act or law, statutes or ordinances aforesaid whatsoever, to 
 the contrary hereof notwithstanding, and as they tender the 
 performance of our good pleasure in this behalf, and will 
 answer for the contrary at their peril, although express 
 mention, &c. 
 
 In witness whereof, &c. 
 
 ^Tradition gives the Site of these important Works to the 
 banks of the River Neath, and after much enquiry and local 
 examination I have come to the conclusion that the premises 
 east and near the present Neath Abbey Railway Station, now 
 occupied by the Mines Royal Works, are on the identical spot 
 
 * In Lord Dynevor's private Act, 1st Viet., cap. xxvi., " The Mines 
 Royal" taking is thus described in the schedule : " Cadoxtan j. Neath, 
 Mines Royal Copper Works and Lands, comprising several parcels of 
 arable, pasture, and wood lands and gardens and cottages, together with 
 sundry lands, part of which are in the hamlet of Duffryn, Clydach. 
 82a. Or. 30p. 300, in Duffryn, Clydach, 16. 3. 16." G G, F. 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 69 
 
 where those works were first planted by Customer Smyth and 
 partners, and to which his loving servant Ulrick Frosse 
 wended his way in the autumn of the year 1584. 
 
 On examining the premises under the kind auspices of 
 Mr. William Edmond, the manager, he pointed out to me 
 where, during some alterations of the works, he discovered 
 the foundations of small ancient furnaces full three 
 feet under the floor of the present works ; further he 
 pointed out the old House of the Managers still standing 
 in the very centre of the smoke and exhalations from 
 the works ; though but a poor small residence as it 
 would now be thought, it was evidently pretentious in 
 its day, the jambs of the door and windows being enriched 
 with "blockings" in the plaster work. This residence 
 is reported to have been built for the first of the Places 
 (who were for three generations its resident managers) 
 about 17? In various walls of the works are dates cast in 
 slagg or cut in native stone slabs, and I quote the following 
 from sketches taken from the originals when examining the 
 premises in 1865. M.R. 1759 M.R.Co. 1799 M.R.C. 
 1800 M.R.C. 1805. 
 
 These important Companies were from the first patronized 
 by Royalty and the nobility; William and the two Phillips 
 (Father and Son) Earls of Pembroke, having been Governors ; 
 they were followed by Prince Rupert* and the Lord Ashley 
 Cooper, who were succeeded by the Marquis of Halifax, 
 who died in the year 1700. The Deputy Governors appear to 
 have been chiefly taken from the rank of Knights, amongst 
 whom many celebrated names appear, but few more 
 interesting can be selected than that of Sir John Pettus, Kt., 
 
 * It was this Governor who presented the interesting Portrait of the 
 Foundress (Queen Elizabeth) by Zucchero, which so long adorned the 
 board-room. It has recently been given to the National Portrait Gallery, 
 in South Kensington Museum, where I have myself seen it. G. G. F. 
 
70 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 who distinguished himself by several important metallurgical 
 works, and particularly by his translation of that of the 
 German Metallurgist, Erckern, of whose character the 
 following excerpts will give a fair impression and some 
 knowledge. 
 
 In 1683, Sir John Pettus, of Suffolk, Knight, and for 
 30 years previous, a Deputy Governor of the Mines Royal 
 Company, in his translation of the Assays of Lazarus Erckern, 
 Chief Prover, or Assay Master of the Empire of Germany, 
 dedicates his book to the Right Honourable George 
 Marquess, Earl, Viscount Halifax, Baron of Eland, Lord 
 Privy Seal, and Governor of the Society of the Mines Royal 
 and Battery Works, and writes, "That the Government of 
 Mines was a trust of great concern ; for, from antient records, 
 I find that Edward the IV. made Richard Earl of Warwick, 
 and John Earl of Northumberland; and King Henry the VII. 
 made Jasper, Duke of Bedford, and other Lords, Guardians 
 and Governors jointly, of all His Mines in England, adding 
 Wales; and Queen Elizabeth, in the loth of Her reign, did 
 form the Government thereof into Societies by the names of 
 Governors, Deputy Governors and Assistants for the Mines 
 Royal and Battery Works, and made Sir Nicholas Bacon 
 Lord Keeper, and other eminent persons her Governors for 
 England and Wales (adding those within the English Pale 
 in Ireland), which Government did continue successfully 
 to the Earls of Pembroke, and others for some years, 
 and after His late Highness Prince Rupert was made a 
 Governor, and your Lordship to our contentment doth 
 succeed." 
 
 Sir John gave as one reason for publishing Erckern's work, 
 " That we may not punish ourselves by fixing and disputing 
 on the views of antient writers, and thereby making things 
 to be diabolical which are only Divine favours shown us by 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 71 
 
 natural agents, so as, for want of knowing the true practicks 
 and experiments, they are divulged either by umbraging 
 sophistications, or concealed under the name of philosophical 
 secrets, which, no doubt but God intends for publick -and 
 common good, and therefore it shall be my study to unfold 
 the metaphysical notions of this science by practicks, 
 especially about the Philosopher's Stone, which study I value 
 only for its fine pursuits and products of experiments." 
 
 He unhappily was at this time confined in the Fleet prison 
 and dedicates his work 
 
 "To my worthy friend Richard Manlove, Esq., Warden 
 of the Fleet, in which I am here a confined person, for my 
 being too good to others and too unjust to myself; those 
 that think themselves prisoners to you are much mistaken, for 
 they are prisoners to the Law, a guardianship very needfull 
 for the people as a completion of Justice in point of restraints, 
 for they are good for cooling the animosity between creditors 
 and debtors, and between the Laws and contemnors of them ; 
 and for curing the sullen and contemptuous disposition of 
 them to their superiors, for I can truly say that by my patient 
 submission to them, and my misfortunes (being prepared by 
 my 14 months' imprisonment in Windsor Castle under the 
 late usurped power,) I do now, with more satisfaction to 
 myself, undergo this under a legal power, and hereby affirm 
 that no gentleman hath received greater receipts from you 
 than myself, and therefore take the occasion to make my 
 publick acknowledgments that I must acknowledge to my 
 honoured subscribers and others, that had it not been for 
 your incouragement and particular assistance with your 
 purse, I could not have published this book." 
 
 It has generally been understood that the operation of the 
 powers granted to these two Companies so far from promoting 
 National interests, as was the declared object in their 
 preambles, had an exactly opposite effect by crippling the 
 
72 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 free right of searching for and extracting ores from the 
 various mining districts ; and moreover, introducing a series 
 of expensive lawsuits, which produced decisions sometimes 
 in favour, and sometimes against the Company, until in the 
 reign of William and Mary two Acts* were passed to settle 
 the doubts and questions which had arisen consequent on 
 the previous grants of Elizabeth and James. 
 
 The translation of Lazarus Erckern's book explains the 
 art and nature in knowing, judging, assaying, firing, 
 refining, and inlarging the bodies of confined Metals, and 
 gives the various ways of extracting gold, silver, copper, 
 lead, tin, antimony, and quicksilver from their ores, proving 
 iron from steel, the making of saltpetre and allum from 
 allum ore and gives essays explaining f metallick words, 
 and describes where the various mines are situated, and 
 that the 'Mines-Royal' and ' Battery- Works ' Societies held 
 Royal mines in the various counties of England and 
 Wales, in Bedfordshire, Cheshire, Cornwall, Cumberland, 
 Derbyshire, Durham, Essex, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, 
 Kent, Lancanshire. Monmouthshire, Nottinghamshire, 
 Northumberland, Rutlandshire, Shropshire, Somersetshire, 
 Staffordshire, Surrey, Warwickshire, Westmorland, Wor- 
 cestershire, Yorkshire, and in all the twelve Counties of 
 Wales. We have government of them all both in England 
 and Wales and part of Ireland, except the Lead Mines of 
 Donegany, in Derbyshire, and at Mendyp, in Somersetshire. 
 Of copper, Keswick Copper Mine, in Cumberland, caused a 
 great suit between Queen Elizabeth and the Earl of Northum- 
 berland, concerning her right to it on account of " Royal 
 Mines," which case is reported by Ploudon, whereby the 
 Society for the Mines Royal have had, and still have the care 
 
 * In the 1st and 5th years of those rnonarchs. 
 
 f Query is " Calcator" given in it, I wonder no.G. G. F, 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 73 
 
 over it, but for want of fuel and skilful Miners it is of no use 
 at present. 
 
 To work for Gold the Mines Royal Society granted two 
 leases on Mines, one at Pullox-hill, in Bedfordshire, the other 
 at Little Taunton, in Gloucestershire, but they were not 
 eventually successful. 
 
 Of Silver we have none but intermixed with other metals, 
 especially in Lead, and in the time of the late war Mr. Bushel 
 set up mills at the Mines in Cardiganshire, and made out of 
 these Lead Mines ^Q of Silver out of every ton of Lead, 
 and at the late usurpation his Majesty caused a Mint to be 
 erected at Shrewsbury to * coyn the Silver from Wales ; and 
 the Lessees of the Mines Royal Society Work the Mines of 
 Corisumlock and Talibont, in Cardiganshire in Wales (two 
 Roman Mines) ; every year there were sent from hence 
 (London) at least 800 tons of Bone Ashes by sea; our 
 merchants for every 1000 Bones they send abroad pay 6s. 8d., 
 and we pay for their bringing them unto us i 55. for every 
 barrel of their Ashes. 
 
 Iron is not in our Patent, only from Wire, for the making of 
 which we have Mills at f Tintern, in Monmouthshire.^ 
 
 Of Lead we have the government both in England and 
 Wales, and the Society of Mines Royal have Lead Mines in 
 Wales. Of Black Lead I know but of one Mine in Cum- 
 berland, and of late, it is curiously formed in cases of deal 
 and cedar, and so sold as dry pencils, something more useful 
 than pen and ink. 
 
 * Smiles in his "Hugenots," says that in 1565, a Christopher 
 Schutz first started the Wire Works near Tintern Abbey, while Godfrey 
 Box of Leige, began the like business at Esher, in Surrey, where it was 
 afterwards continued by two other Germans named Monineca and 
 Demetrius. Was this last any connection of him named at p. 42, ante ? 
 
 f As may be seen in most collections of English coins. 
 
 Which Works are still in operation, I believe. 1880. 
 
 An interesting fact as to the period when Black-lead Pencils were 
 first brought into use, and made practically valuable. G. G. F. 
 
74 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 We have mountains of Lapis Calaminaris, especially in 
 Gloucestershire, Somersetshire, and Nottinghamshire, but we 
 let the Calaminaris go as ballast into foreign parts in very great 
 quantities. The best Brass beyond seas is made of our Stone 
 rather than their own, which deserves further consideration. 
 
 I remember about 30 years ago that one Demetrius, a 
 German,* did set up a Brass Work in Surrey, and with the 
 expense of ^"6000 (so he told me), made it compleat and to 
 good profit, but the Foreign Merchants, joyning with ours, 
 found ways to bring him into suits. He was at last necessi- 
 tated to abandon the work, to his own ruin and the unspeakable 
 loss to the Kingdom in the destruction of so beneficial a work. 
 The above concludes all I took out of Pettus's work as 
 connected with the Mines Royal Company, and interesting 
 to our purpose herein. 
 
 Robert Place (son of Isaac Place, Vicar of Haslingden, in 
 Lancashire) was married to Catherine Swaine, daughter of 
 Sampson Swaine, gentleman, Refiner of Copper, at Newlyn, 
 in Cornwall, 4th March, 1754. His son John was born at 
 Poole, in Cornwall, i5th June, 1756, and Edward his son was 
 born at Neath Abbey, 2gth August, 1758. Robert Place may 
 have acquired the knowledge of Copper Smelting from his 
 father-in-law, and between 1756 and 1758 came over to start 
 and manage the smelting of Copper at the Mines Royal Works. 
 There is some tradition that the Mines Royal Company had 
 previously smelted Copper Ores at Redbrook, in Monmouth- 
 shire, f Their Lease expired in 1862, and 5 terms of 21 years 
 * This is conclusive against my suggestion in page 42 that he was 
 a Greek. He must be added to the many Germans to whom we are so 
 manifestly indebted for our present position in metallurgy. 
 
 f Feby. 19, 1869. To-day, referring to the Original of Grose's Tour in 
 1775, in B. Museum, I observed in his Diary, that "after passing Troy 
 ' House belonging to the Duke of Beaufort, I ascended a very steep hill 
 ' and passed some Copper and Iron Works, the walls of which were coped 
 ' with the scoriae of the metal cast into cubes or bricklike forms, (so 
 ' common near Swansea) and could see at a distance the village of 
 4 Redbrook." G. G. F. 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 75 
 
 would date 1757 as the starting of the Works under Place's 
 management for the Mines Royal, and there is the date 1759 
 impressed in a cast slag in one of the old buildings. 
 
 Price, in his " Minerologica Cornubiensis," pub. 1778, 
 mentions that the above-named Sampson Swaine, with some 
 gentlemen of Camborne, in Cornwall, erected in 1754, Copper 
 Furnaces at Entral, in that Parish, but afterwards removed 
 them to Hayle, and that the then existing Copper Companies 
 did all they could to " traduce the credit and stab the vitals of 
 the undertaking." One of the Swaines came to Wales with 
 Robert Place as an assayer, and his office is still at Mines Royal 
 Works, Neath : but is now converted into a carpenter's shop. 
 
 I know nothing further of the Mines Royal Company till 
 the zist Sept., 1794, when they had 1277 tons of ore in stock; 
 230 tons of Copper Ore smelted weekly; about 130 tons produce 
 from 7 to 8 per cent. ; make of copper about 1 8 tons per week. 
 
 The following extracts from the orig. Books at the Mines 
 Royal Works show the progress of events, and those relating 
 to the old roof from the Copper Works at Melincrethyn, near 
 Gnoll, at Neath, make a curious coupling of the two oldest 
 works in existence in this county, and it is further interesting 
 to note that a serious fear of the Nuisances created by the Smoke* 
 existed, so far back as 1796! a nuisance only now [1865] about 
 to be diminished, if not terminated, by Gerstenhofer's patent, 
 recently purchased and put into practice at great cost by 
 Messrs. Vivian, in their Swansea and Taibach Works.! 
 
 * That "Copper Smoke" is a doomed nuisance is pretty clear, for 
 Messrs. Nevill and Co., at Llanelly, are adopting similar Calciners to 
 those at Hafod, while Messrs. Grenfell and Son, White Rock, Swansea, 
 and the Governor and Company of Copper Miners in Cwmavon, are about 
 to patronise the plans of another German, Gurlt, for the utilization of the 
 sulphur now thrown out as damaging Smoke on the lands near, and far from 
 their respective Works. All other like Works should soon follow such 
 unanswerable evidences. 
 
 t Vide p. 77, post. 
 
 + I am sorry to learn from Mr. Hussey Vivian, that as yet (Sept., 
 1868) the other Smelters have done nothing towards improving their 
 works in this respect, neither have they down to 1881 ! G. G. F. 
 
76 
 
 COPPER SMELTING 
 
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IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 77 
 
 EXTRACTS. 
 FROM MR. JOHN PLACE, MANAGER TO THE MINES ROYAL COMPANY. 
 
 1795. 
 30 March. Sent 38 tons Copper to Rose Copper Co. Birmingham, and 
 
 17 tons to the East India Co. 
 28th Dec. The Ores smelted for the Rose Copper Co.* are kept separate. 
 
 1796. 
 ii Jan. By a Stack falling an arch gave way, bringing down seven 
 
 others and the roof also. 
 
 1 8 Bought the old roof at Gnoll Works to replace our fallen one.f 
 25 Bought Barley for the workmen, but it is now seUing at 55. 
 
 per bushel, or sixpence under what the Company paid 
 
 for theirs. 
 14 March. Barley too high in price for our consumption, so caused some 
 
 of it to be sold in Neath market. 
 1 8 ,, 35 furnaces working. 
 
 1 6 May. Coal so bad men left the works for two days. 
 23 ,, Made 20 tons Copper this week. 
 27 June. The Branch of the Neath Canal will not be ready before 
 
 next June, it appears. 
 10 Oct. Ores smelted this week, 136 tons; Copper made, 17 tons; 
 
 Furnaces working, 38 ; Coals burnt, 315 tons. 
 31 I applied to Mr. Miers, who acts for his sister (Lady 
 
 Mackworth) during her minority, as to a Lease of the Gnoll 
 
 Works, with Rent and price of Coals. He is to consult 
 
 with Mr. Hanbury, of Pontypool, to whom Lady Mackworth 
 
 is to be married next March, when she will be of age. 
 14 Nov. Mr. Miers, for Lady Mackworth, is ready to treat for a 
 
 Lease of the Gnoll Copper Works. Coal 425. per wey, as 
 
 supplied to the late Gnoll Company. 
 26 Dec. Lady Mackworth objects to sign the Lease, as she thinks 
 
 the Copper Smoke -will waste the Gnoll Hottse.% 
 1797. 
 2 Jan. The accident that happened by the Stack falling, in January 
 
 last, was more fortunate than otherwise, as the Roof that 
 
 fell required to be made entirely new, and buying the 
 
 materials at Gnoll Works for one third of what they would 
 
 * Mr. Keates writes "this proves that the Mines Royal Co. were at 
 this time Smelting Ores for hire on account of the Rose Copper Co." 
 
 f Vide Account therefor on the previous page. 
 
 1 The word " Waste " must be read here in its legal sense of injury, or 
 mischief. 
 
78 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 have cost new, and equally good and this roof being of one 
 span makes this part of the Works more airy and 
 commodious.* 
 1797. 
 
 13 Feb. Men began working 24 hours at a stretch. Mr. Parsons 
 complains of them stealing much of his coal. 
 
 6 March. 'Tis not true that the French had landed at Swansea. 
 
 8 May Mr. R. Parsons should send us better coals and better 
 
 measure. Mr. Weaver, a Partner of Roe & Co. (of 
 
 Macclesfield and Neath Abbey) is here and makes the same 
 
 complaint. 
 
 Mr. Keates remarks upon this " Roe & Co. had nothing 
 
 to do with the Cheadle Works. Roe & Co. were Brass 
 
 manufacturers at Macclesfield, in Cheshire, making their 
 
 Copper at Neath Abbey, probably at the Works, afterwards 
 
 occupied by the Cheadle Co. They later on built Copper 
 
 Works close to Liverpool, and finally went out of the Copper 
 
 and Brass trade about 1800." 
 
 12 June Carmac and Co., of Ireland, have sent 32 tons of Copper to 
 Swansea for sale. Produce, i8 cwts. fine Copper per ton. 
 
 18 Dec. The Furnacemen, on account of bad Coals, left their work 
 this morning. 
 
 25 By reason of the Mail not arriving, my letter would, I fear, 
 be too late for the meeting of our Company. The "Mines 
 Royal' 'f is still at the Mumbles, with convoy, weather bound. 
 1798. 
 
 1 1 Jan. All the men have left their work. They complain they do now 
 work for less money than Roe & Co.'s men. 
 
 1 8 ,, Our men have returned to their work, and I have promised 
 them 6d. per day more, in all i6s. per week. 
 
 27 Aug. Men are scarce on account of the harvest and Militia work. 
 
 By our books, 
 The Companies then Smelting were the : 
 
 Mines Royal Co., English Copper Co., 
 
 Roe and Co., Chambers and Co., 
 
 Freeman and Co., Anglesey Copper Co., 
 
 Rose Copper Co., Yorkshire Copper Co., 
 
 Lockwood Morris & Co. Harford and Co. 
 For the above extracts from the original books, I am 
 
 indebted to Mr. Wm. Edmond, of Clase, the late Manager of 
 
 the Mines-Royal Works, Neath. 
 
 * This roof is still sound and on the works, 1866 and in 1881. 
 
 f The " Mines Royal " Sailing Vessel was afterwards captured by the 
 French. 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 79 
 
 Though so many individuals and Companies issued Copper 
 Tokens for the use of their workmen and the public, at the 
 latter end of the lyth and the beginning of the igth 
 centuries, I cannot find that the Mines Royal struck any ; 
 a singular fact, when we reflect on its metallic and mechanical 
 ability for such a monetary necessity. A friend has informed 
 me that he has seen a Token issued by the * Brass Battery 
 Company, but I have not been so fortunate. 
 
 That the dignity of these Companies should be fully 
 sustained, they each received regular Grants of Arms from 
 the Herald's College, and from amongst the armorial 
 bearings of the Great Companies of the City of London 
 given by Edmondson in his " Complete Body of Heraldry," 
 from which I quote as follows : 
 
 MINES-ROYAL, OR MINE ADVENTURERS' COMPANY, f 
 Incorporated 22 May, 1568. 
 
 " ARMS. Argent a mine open of Earth colour, the upper part variegated 
 with various shrubs vert. ; within the mine a miner proper, vested sable on 
 his head a cap argent, round his body a belt of the last, and in the attitude 
 of working the dexter side of the mine, with two hammers : on the 
 sinister side a candle argent, lighted proper in a candlestick azure fixed in 
 the mine ; on a chief brown, a square plate or, between a bezant on the 
 dexter, and a plate on the sinister. 
 
 CREST. On a wreath, a demi miner proper vested and capped as in 
 the arms, holding in his dexter hand a pointed spade, erect argent, and 
 his sinister hand a compass. 
 
 SUPPORTERS. The dexter a miner, his face, legs and arms of a 
 brownish colour, vested in a frock argent, tied about his knees as at work, 
 cap and shoes of the last, holding in his dexter hand a hammer azure 
 handled proper, the sinister supporter another miner proper, the cap, 
 frock, and shoes argent, the frock loose and down to the ancles, in his 
 sinister hand a fork azure, handled proper" 
 
 * See No. 29 Token, in APPENDIX. I suspect that the initials "B. B, 
 Co. " misled my friend. G. G. F. 
 
 t Sic in Edmondson, but evidently a mistake, the correct name is to be 
 found in the Charter itself, at page 45, ante. 
 
80 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 MINERAL AND BATTERY WORKS SOCIETY. 
 Incorporated 28 May, 1568. 
 
 " ARMS. Argent on a mount vert, a square Brazen pillar, supported on 
 the dexter by a Lion rampant regardant ; and on the sinister by a 
 Dragon segreant, both or ; in chief, on the top of the pillar a bundle of 
 wire tied and bound together of the last, between a bezant on the dexter 
 side and a plate on the sinister. 
 
 CREST. On a wreath two arms embowed^n^r, both hands holding 
 a Calamine Stone argent, spotted with red, yellow, and blue. 
 
 SUPPORTERS. Two emblematic figures, viz. : the dexter, a Female 
 proper representing Science, vested in a short bodice, coat, ruff, &c. argent 
 (being the dress of the ladies in the reign of Queen Elizabeth). In her 
 dexter hand a pair of compasses, and on her head a crescent, both or ; 
 crined of the last ; the sinister figure an old Man proper, representing 
 Labour, vested in a long frock turned up over his elbows, argent, in his 
 sinister hand a hammer, or." 
 
 Elaboration could scarcely farther go, and the attempt 
 to compel ordinary matters of routine life to fall under the 
 technology of Heraldry is truly unfortunate, but the Companies 
 being authorized to have " Common Seals; " that the devices 
 must be supplied, was, I suppose, the argument used. 
 
 I have already stated how and when these Great Companies 
 came to an end so far as respects their Chartered rights : * 
 the old Works on the Neath River are now held by Messrs. 
 Williams, Foster and Co., and are conducted under the 
 ordinary commercial arrangements of the day. 
 
 Having at length exhausted my materials connected with 
 the history of The First Copper Works established in 
 Glamorgan by the Mines-Royal Society, I shall proceed with 
 the next ; but here a difficulty meets us at the very threshold. 
 Did the "Mine Adventurers" or "The Governor and 
 Company of Copper Miners in England" first light their 
 furnaces, and if so, where, in this County ? I am disposed to 
 give the priority to Sir Humphrey Mackworth's 
 
 COMPANY OF "MINE ADVENTURERS,"* 
 at Melincrethyn, about one mile from the Town of Neath, 
 
 * The Mine Adventurers also had a Charter from William and Mary, 
 dated 7 Sept., 1693. V'ide a "familiar discourse," c., 1700 p. 104* 
 
AV GLAMORGANSHIRE. 81 
 
 on the London Road, where great heaps of Copper Slag 
 remain to this day. Of the latter, or " The English Copper 
 Company " as it is generally called for brevity, I know that 
 its Charter is dated 1691, while Sir Humphrey himself tells 
 us that he began in 1695, an< 3 the Company, as a Joint-stock, 
 was not in possession of* a Crown Grant until the 
 year 1 704 ; still, there is no evidence that I am aware of for 
 giving the Governor and Company a position in Glamorgan- 
 shire before the 1 8th century. It is said they had works at 
 Redbrook, in Gloucestershire, so far back as their first 
 Charter, but I can find no testimony of their working in 
 Wales before 1720. I shall therefore proceed to give Notes 
 extracted from original documents and papers in the British 
 Museum relating to the Mine Adventurers, under the title of 
 
 XIX. 
 
 MACKWORTH (SIR HUMPHREY) v. BREWER. 
 The Mine Adventure, fol. London, 1698 
 
 Press -mark 522-6 M. Old Catalogue. 
 It appears from these papers that Sir Humphrey Mack- 
 worth became engaged in Collieries and Copper Smelting 
 Works at Neath, Anno 1695 that ne was at first engaged 
 on his own account, and that afterwards he transferred his 
 Mines and Works to a Company called " The Corporation of 
 the Governor and Company of the Mine Adventurers of 
 England, "f of which the Duke of Leeds was Governor, and 
 Sir Humphrey was Deputy-Governor and Resident Manager 
 
 * Here it is, however, shown that "the Co." held its first meeting in 
 May, 1699. 
 
 f Chadwick in his life of De Foe 1859, p. 296, says that " De Foe being 
 consulted on this scheme, and its probable chances of rubbing off the 
 borrowed capital by the profits, referred to their own printed work 
 entitled an 'Account of the clear profits of extracting Silver out of 
 Lead, by the Governor and Commissioners of the Mine Adventurers of 
 England, taken from their original accounts, and signed Thomas Horn, 
 Accountant to the Co.' " G. G. F, 
 
82 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 of the Works at Neath. The Company consisted of a great 
 number of members, many of them of aristocratic rank. 
 The papers contain a litt of the members.* 
 
 This Company must not be confounded with the better 
 known and existing Company called 
 
 " THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF COPPER MINERS IN 
 ENGLAND," 
 
 which afterwards erected Copper Works at Taibach. Amongst 
 the papers is a printed copy of Articles of Agreement, dated 
 20 July, 1720, by which the latter Company acquired by 
 purchase from Thomas Chambers, of the Transfer Office in 
 the East India House, London, Gentleman, a lease of Copper 
 Works, Furnaces, Forge, and Mill, at Lower Redbrook, in 
 the County of Gloucester, for 30 years, at a rent of 100 
 per annum. 
 
 The most consecutive account of Sir H. Mackworth's 
 Mines and Works is contained in a pamphlet, which seems 
 to have been prepared by himself for local circulation, in 
 1705* with the following title : 
 
 XX. 
 " THE CASE OF SIR HUMPHREY MACKWORTH AND OF 
 
 THE MINE ADVENTURERS 
 WITH RESPECT TO THE ILLEGAL PROCEEDINGS OF 
 
 SEVERAL JUSTICES OF THE PEACE, 
 For the County of Glamorgan, their Agents and Dependants." 
 
 From this case, in which it may be assumed Sir Humphrey 
 loquitur, the following are abridged extracts : 
 
 "The Coal Trade had been totally lost at Neath for 30 years and 
 upwards for want of carrying on the Coal-works there until Sir Humphrey 
 Mackworth, in 1695, began to adventure great sums of money in finding 
 and recovering the Coal in that neighbourhood ; since which time the 
 town of Neath, whkh was grown very poor for want of trade, was then 
 become one of the best towns of trade in South Wales. 
 
 * The Rules, Orders, and Bye-laws of the Company, under date of 
 1706, and an engraving of its Corporate Seal, are aLo amoi gst these papers, 
 
7-V GLAMORGANSHIRE. 83 
 
 " The convenience and cheapness of Coal hath occasioned the building 
 of great Work-houses, or Manufactories by Sir Humphrey Mackworth in 
 Neath, at the expense of several thousand pounds ; for smelting of Lead 
 and Copper Ore, for extracting Silver out of the Lead, and for making 
 Lytharge and Red Lead for the use of the Mine Adventurers." 
 
 These two paragraphs correctly state the case as it had 
 often occurred in Wales, N. and S., with reference to the 
 creation or suspension of trade and manufacture discord, 
 want of enterprize, absence of capital, general prostration 
 and depression, which even in our time naturally follow like 
 proceedings with similar consequences. 
 
 " These Coal "Works and Work-houses employ a great number of men, 
 women, and children, to whom several thousand pounds are paid every 
 year, which circulates hi this neighbourhood, and other trades are thereby 
 increased, the market much improved, and the rents better paid, as has 
 been acknowledged by Sir Edward Mansel and others; the country 
 receiving money for provisions. 
 
 "The Coal Works wrought at that time lay chiefly under the common 
 lands belonging to the town of Neath, and the Coals were in ancient 
 times wrought by the Burgesses, each Burgess sinking a pit for himself. 
 The Burgesses, at last, came to cross each other's works, which caused 
 great differences and several law-suits ; and these led to an arrangement 
 by which the Burgesses granted a lease of the Coal-works to Daniel 
 Evans, of Neath, Esq., a Burgess, yielding the Burgesses sufficient coal for 
 their firing at the rate of twopence for each barrow of Coal, and also a 
 rent or duty of one shilling to the Town for each weigh* of Coal sent to sea. 
 
 " The Burgesses granted leases in succession to David Evans, Esq., 
 eldest son of their former lessee ; to Frances, the relict of Edward Evans, 
 and to Sir Herbert Evans, whose daughter and heir, Mary, became the 
 wife of Sir Humphrey Mackworth.f 
 
 ' During the last mentioned lease, Sir Humphrey Mackworth, being 
 desirous to promote the good of the Town of Neath, gave liberty to the 
 Burgesses to endeavour the recovery of the Coal in that Liberty for their 
 own use, which they attempted at some expense, but, failing of success, 
 all the Burgesses, in September 1697, did unanimously grant a lease to 
 Sir Humphrey Mackworth for the term of 31 years, whereof about 23 
 years are yet un expired. 
 
 * A " weigh " of Coal hi Wales is calculated at 10 tons. 
 
 t This is the Eaglesbush family, I suppose I think it likely that Sir 
 Herbert was knighted by Charles L, in 1630 compulsorily as one of the 
 tenants in Capita of the Crown. I recollect seeing his name as one of the 
 persons in Glamorganshire who were likely to be called upon to accept 
 knighthood. The date is, however, rather distant for such a supposition, 
 D. R. 
 
84 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 " Sir Humphrey Mackworth attempted the recovery of the Coal-works 
 by the assistance of the Colliers of that neighbourhood, but failed of 
 success ; whereupon he travelled into other counties to find skilful miners 
 to assist him therein, and after great expense, and by carrying on a Level 
 or Wind-way, commonly called a Foot-rid or Waggon-way, after the 
 manner used in Shropshire and Newcastle, he recovered the said Coal- 
 works ; and at great expense continued the said waggon-way on wooden 
 rails from the face of each wall of Coal, 1200 yards under ground, down 
 to the water-side, three quarters of a mile. 
 
 " From the Coal-works carried on by these means, great quantities of 
 Coal are brought forth and sold to use, whereby Her Majesty [Queen 
 Anne] and the public receive annually, for the duty of these Coals, the 
 sum of ^"1000 or upwards. 
 
 " It appears that the Coals were shipped to the port of Bridgewater, 
 and other parts. 
 
 " The Mine- Adventurers had, however, much larger works than the 
 Coal-works. They were lessees of extensive Lead Mines in Cardigan- 
 shire, from Sir Carbery Pryse, and the largest portion of their capital 
 was employed in the manufacture of Lead, the ore having been brought 
 from Cardiganshire to Neath to be made into metal. There are 
 numerous printed accounts of the expense of refining Lead at Neath, and 
 the names and wages of the workmen and boys employed are given. The 
 highest number being 26, and the wages ranging from 35. up to 26s. 
 per week. 
 
 " The buildings consisted of the following Work premises, which are said 
 to have been erected by Sir Humphrey Mackworth, at his own cost and 
 charge, (before ever the Company was established or thought of) in order 
 to set up a manufacture there for Copper and Lead on his own account, 
 viz. : 
 
 An Old Smelting-house, 
 
 A Copper-house, 
 
 A Cleaning-Room, 
 
 A Brick-Room, and 
 
 A Stamping-Room. 
 
 "A Report of a Committee in the year 1708 states that they had 
 erected several large Work-houses in the Counties of Glamorgan and 
 Cardigan, consisting of 1 7 furnaces for smelting Lead, 2 for Copper, 8 for 
 refining, and 2 for making Red Lead, and that there was room for 
 15 more. 
 
 " An account of- Sir H. Mackworth's expenditure, by his agent, for 
 ten years, under date of 15 April, 1710, gives a good notion of the 
 extent of the Works. 
 
 " Disbursed in ten years, at the Copper-house at Neath, for wages, 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 85 
 
 charges of smelting, refining, and making Red Lead, freight of Ore from 
 Dovey, and of Lead from Bristol, and other charges 16,689 I 5 S - 4^- 
 
 " The Company allowed 30 per annum to Mr. Wm. Williams, a 
 schoolmaster at Neath, for the education of the poor workmen's 
 children a similar allowance having been made in Cardiganshire. 
 
 " The origin of Sir H. Mackworth's connection with Neath seems to 
 have been his marriage with the daughter of Sir Herbert Evans, of 
 Eaglebush. He seems to have retained a residence at Bently, in the 
 parish of Tardely, Worcestershire, and he had also property in Shropshire; 
 the family originally came from Derbyshire.* The legal proceedings 
 shew, by the proof of his own agent, that he acquired estates in the 
 Counties of Glamorgan and Monmouth by his intermarriage with Mary, 
 the daughter of Sir Herbert Evans, of Xeath, that the rent of these 
 estates amounted to ^1200 per annum and upwards, and that his Coal- 
 works produced him several hundred pounds more. It further appears 
 that he bought estates in Monmouth and Glamorgan, and sold an estate 
 in Salop to pay for them, at ^"5000. These disclosures were made on the 
 part of Sir Humphrey to show that he had sufficient property to defray 
 the expenditure (moderate it is asserted to be) of his household, so 
 as to disprove the inference that he had paid the expenses of his 
 private establishment by peculation as Deputy Governor of the Mine 
 Adventurers. 
 
 " The complaints against the Justices referred to in the Case shew, if 
 true, that Sir Humphrey experienced much local opposition in his Works. 
 Attempts (he says) were made by interested persons concerned in other 
 Coal-works to ruin and destroy his Works by disparaging the Coals at 
 Bridgewater and other ports, and also the Port of Neath and by 
 threatening to press the seamen that came to his Coal-works. Attempts 
 were also made to draw away the chief workmen. The case shows a 
 great deal of anger and violence between the parties. The particulars are 
 of but little importance now." 
 
 The foregoing extracts were made for me at the British 
 Museum, by Mr. David Rowland, Solicitor, of London, who 
 kindly adds in an accompanying letter, "The Company 
 appears to have been unsuccessful, and Sir Humphrey's 
 management was impugned by some of the shareholders, who 
 took legal proceedings against him and others similarly 
 charged. The papers contain several elaborate defences 
 drawn up by Sir Humphrey, and finally they show the 
 
 * There have been two Baronetcies in this family, the elder one 
 created 1619, expired 1803; and the present, created in 1776, and now 
 represented by Sir Arthur W. Mackworth, the sixth Baronet. G.o.F. 
 
86 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 failure of the legal proceedings, and an acquittal of Sir H. 
 from all dishonesty by a majority of the Company. 
 
 A very large mass of original documents relating to these 
 matters are still extant amongst the Gnoll Castle papers at 
 Neath, to which ready access has been afforded me ; the 
 difficulty in such a case is not, the quantity but the quality of 
 the extracts to be taken, pertinent to the special matter in 
 hand ; I select the following as historically interesting : 
 
 XXI. 
 
 Att the First Select Committee of 
 
 THE FORTUNATE ADVENTURERS, 
 
 Held at Durham Court, in Great Trinity Lane, London, on 
 
 Wednesday, the loth day of May, A.D. 1669, 
 Present, Sir Humphrey Mackworth, Deputy Governor ; Sir 
 
 Thomas Mackworth, and ten Others. 
 
 " The Twenty Thousand Pounds Stock lockt up in the iron 
 chest, was taken out, viewed, and told by the gentlemen present 
 att this committee, and then laid again into the Chest." 
 
 [At length we are drawing on to the period when business 
 had settled itself more into the shape it has assumed in our 
 times, so that I have thought it prudent as far as possible to 
 adopt the form and matter where practicable of the deter- 
 minations of Boards and Directors, so as to make them 
 mirrors of the times, and exhibit themselves and their doings 
 in the words recorded and preserved in their own minutes.] 
 
 1699. 
 15 May- 
 Sir Humphrey Mackworth offered now or at any other time when 
 requested, voluntarily to make affidavit that he had bond fide 
 disbursed in the management of the Mine Adventures the full and 
 just sum of ^"14,840 and upwards, and thereupon the committee 
 unanimously decided that he had dealt very justly and honourably by 
 the Adventurers Co, 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 87 
 
 1699. 
 13 July- 
 Committee informed that the men in their employ at the Black 
 Raven, * in Southwark, who had been brought from Cardiganshire, 
 are ready to be employed by Sir Humphrey Mackworth, at Neath, 
 and willing to be bound as should be directed. Ordered That the 
 men be sent forthwith to Neath. That they have a week's wages, 
 and a bounty of IDS. each man. That Sir Humphrey be desired to 
 enter into proper agreements with them at Neath, and take " an oath 
 from every person employed at the refining furnaces for their fidelity 
 under the trust reposed in them." 
 
 1699. 
 20 July 
 
 Mr. Chauncey presumed it would not be amiss to have some person 
 appointed at Neath to keep the accounts and act as Day Steward. 
 Sir Humphrey desired time to consider the suggestion and select a fit 
 and proper person at Neath. (Mr. Thomas Hawkins was eventually 
 appointed.) 
 
 28 July- 
 Committee informed that the implements, utensils, and working tools 
 belonging to the refining furnace in * Southwark had been sent by 
 vessel for Neath. 
 1700. 
 
 4 January 
 Any quantity of Lytharge not exceeding 1000 tunns may be disposed of 
 
 by Sir Humphrey Mackworth, but not under 12 per tunn. 
 12 February 
 The iron chest with the cash and writings ordered to be taken to the 
 
 Bank of England, 
 i July 
 
 " Whereas Thomas Mansell, of Britton-ferry, Esq., has conferred 
 several favours on this Company. Ordered That a letter of thanks 
 be sent to the said Thomas Mansell for his civility, and that it be 
 referred to Sir Humphrey Mackworth, if he see fitt, to make a present 
 of a f piece of plate of 10 in vallue. 
 1 8 July- 
 Application to Judges on the Norfolk Circuit [Holt and Hotsell] to 
 allow the Jaylors to convey condemned criminals to the Mines [in 
 Cardiganshire.] 
 
 * Gabriel Powell alludes to this, in his letter for perusal by the Duke of 
 Beaufort, written in 1720, to Mr. J. Burgh, his agent, at Troy, near 
 Monmouth, see post, p. 96. 
 
 f Is this " piece of plate " still in Lord Jersey's possession, I wonder ? 
 It seems not, but may be at Margam. 
 
88 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 1700. 
 24 July- 
 Copy of a special letter of thanks to Sir Humphrey Mackworth, and 
 also "we are likewise to acknowledge your generous favour in your 
 consenting to have furnaces built in [? near to] Gnoll House, att 
 Neath." 
 
 6th September 
 
 Letter to be written to Sir Herbert Mackworth and other gentlemen of 
 the committee now at Neath, to enquire why the proportion of Silver 
 was so small from the Refinery there. 
 
 Also 
 
 An account received that 1 7 condemned criminals had been pardoned 
 by the King, provided they would, within two months, apprentice 
 themselves to Sir H. Mackworth and partners for five years, to work 
 at the mines. If they refused, or departed the mines, the pardon to 
 be void. The jaylors would not undertake the charge of the 
 criminals brought to London (from Bedford and Aylesbury) ; the 
 Company having a vessel under charter, which they were obliged to 
 freight to Neath, ten were sent down to that Town by it. 
 
 1 6th October- 
 Reported that two of the criminals sent to Neath hath run away. 
 
 2/th November 
 
 Secretary of State writes to ask whether the Company would take any 
 and what number of Pyrates condemned, to work in the mines ; 
 reply "that they could not undertake to keep them without the 
 power of an Act, fearing to incur the censure of Parliament," and 
 then, "The possibility that the gentry and commonalty of Wales 
 would be alarmed and dissatisfyed at it." The Duke of Leeds, the 
 then Governor, concurring in this view of the matter, was asked 
 to explain it to his Majesty [William the Third.] 
 
 23 December 
 
 An offer to the Company by several Great Landowners to offer their 
 interest for Sir Humphry Mackworth to be Knight of the Shire for 
 Cardigan thanks ordered therefor, and the Secretary ordered to 
 attend Sir Hy. in his canvass. 
 
 1701. 
 6 May- 
 Ordered that the Agreement with Sir H. M. touching the Smelting 
 Mills at Neath be taken into consideration at next meeting, and on 
 the 29th May, referred to the Committee at Neath to report upon. 
 Also, ordered that Mr. Waller do send for what number of men he 
 shall require before the harvest, and that he raise what quantity of ore 
 he can, both out of the Copper and Lead veins in Cardiganshire. 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE, 
 
 1701. 
 
 7 July- 
 
 An order to prepare a draft of proposed Charter. 
 
 22 July- 
 Opinion of the Committee that Sir Humphrey and his heirs male 
 should be Perpetual Governors of the Company after death of the 
 Duke of Leeds. 
 
 6 October 
 
 Sir H. M. to give directions for the sayling of the ship 'Mine 
 Adventure ' now att Neath. 
 
 4 November 
 Upwards of 800 partners in the Company. 
 
 1702. 
 
 1 6 January 
 Attendance on Attorney Gen. for settling the Charter, ordered. 
 
 8 September 
 
 Secretary reported that he had carried the (silver) bullion to the 
 Tower, but could not get a dye made for the Coyning of the same 
 with the Prince's Armes of Wales without a renewal of a former 
 order. 
 
 That Mr. Francis Gwyn have 6 tunns of lead at 9 a tun delivered to 
 him at Neath. 
 
 15 December 
 
 Secretary reported that he had obtained a Warrant from the King for 
 the coining our bullion with the Arms of Wales ; the Secretary to 
 carry Warrant to the Tower, get a Dye made and the bullion coined, 
 in accordance with the said Warrant.* 
 
 1 8 February 
 
 One Nicholas Newton, with other men, to be sent for from Cardigan- 
 shire to Neath to build as many furnaces for the smelting of lead 
 ore as he conveniently can and the place will allow, on that side of 
 the Smelting-house which lies next the hill. 
 
 12 March 
 
 Mr. Waller to agree as cheap as he can with Robinson, the builder, 
 to go to Neath to erect furnaces there. 
 
 * Hawkins, in his " Silver Coins of England," says, "The Plumes indicate 
 that the Silver was derived from the Welsh Mines of Sir Carberry Price 
 and Sir Humphrey Mackworth ; the Rose occurs sometimes with the 
 Plumes, because Silver from the West of England was combined with the 
 Welsh Silver. The Coins with the Plumes were frequently called 
 Quakers' money, because the Company by whom the Mines were worked 
 comprised many persons of that denomination." 
 
1703. 
 
 19 March 
 
 Mr. Waller ag;eed to send Newton or Robinson speedily to Neath to 
 build the furnaces for smelting there ; and further it was 
 
 Ordered 
 
 " That the ,3 I2s. od.* in new Silver, presented to the Queen [Anne] 
 by Sir H. Mackworth,f be repaid him. 
 
 The rent for the Smelting Mills, Silver Mills, and Red Lead Mills at 
 Neath, were debated, and it appearing that it was usual to allow rent 
 for a place convenient for building manufactories with all the 
 advantages that those at Neath have, from a great fall of water, and 
 two large wheels one under the other, and especially so near a 
 navigable river as these are, and that the said works were erected in a 
 place where a Tucking Mill once stood, and was taken down to the 
 great loss of Sir H. Mackworth, and whereas other houses, barnes, 
 outhouses, and gardens lye convenient thereto and on view and 
 estimate thereof, the Committee contracted with Sir H. Mackworth 
 for the same at ^200 per annum. 
 
 2 April 
 
 Reported a new Slagg furnace had been erected at the end of the 
 Smelting House next the Town of Neath. 
 
 Ordered, that Potters ore be delivered at Neath at 6 a tunn, and 
 1,200 tunns of Lead to be sold at Bristol at 8 a tunn. 
 
 23 April 
 
 Secretary to settle the Charter with a Councillor-at-Law, and give such 
 fees as Sir H. Mackworth shall direct. 
 
 5 May 
 
 What Silver Bullion is already extracted at Neath to be sent to London 
 by the Monmouth carrier. 
 
 10 May 
 
 Letter writt to Neath to expedite those Furnaces, and spare no charge, 
 but set all hands on that can be gott to worke in the building of 
 same, &c. 
 25 May 
 
 Ordered that Mr. Williams send some Stourbridge bricks ready made, 
 and some Abbey Coal to Mr. Waller, in Cardiganshire, by the next 
 vessel ; and that the Test Furnace in the garrett be taken down and 
 fixed in the house at Angel Court, on Snow Hill. 
 
 * As/3 I2s. od. seems a small value to present to a Queen, it was 
 probably the Silver value of a set of "proofs" of the coins struck for 
 the Co. 
 
 f Doubtless as a compliment on her accession to the throne. G. G. F, 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. yl 
 
 1073- 
 
 15 June 
 
 Oares to be carried from Neath to Cardiganshire for the smelting in 
 
 the winter. 
 That the workmen at Neath go on refining when the smelting is out, 
 
 and the new furnaces finished. 
 Sir H Mackworth empowered to buy one great trough or two small 
 
 ones proper for the river of Neath, and fit for loading or unloading 
 
 vessels that can't come up that river. 
 
 9 July- 
 Committee reports That there ought to be six new Smelting and two 
 new Refining Furnaces at Neath. That refining Lead with so small 
 a produce of Silver as hath lately been, is not to be advantage of the 
 Company. That the men's wages at Neath be the same as at 
 Garrick, and no pay allowed for holidays, when they don't work. 
 That the Silver and Copper now there be sent up by land immediately. 
 That the Lead now there be sent to Bristol, Glo'ster, and Worcester 
 markets. 
 
 September 
 
 Mr. Waller ordered to supply himself with Mostyn Coal for the winter. 
 
 21 November 
 
 Refining processes to be kept private,* and no persons to be admitted 
 into the Works but such as are bound to serve the Company in 
 that art. 
 
 28 December 
 
 Secretary ordered to get the Charter passed by the Queen [Anne] with 
 all the expedition he can. 
 
 I February, 1/03-4 
 
 Ordered that the memorandum given by Mr. Breton (one of the 
 Committee) touching the smelting and refining at Neath, be sent 
 thither by pjst for the Officers there to answer the same. 
 
 12 February 
 
 Solicitor-General had inserted the names of the three sons of Sir 
 Humphrey Mackworth in the Charter (viz. ; Herbert, Kingsmille, and 
 William), instead of " heirs male," as perpetual Chairmen or Governors 
 of the Company. 
 
 1 6 March 
 
 No more than one furnace begun at Neath, but others be finished. 
 
 I March 
 
 Eleven furnaces to be finished at Neath. Complaint to General Post, 
 office as to the carrying of Letters to Neath. 
 
 * About which practice see my notes on prior pages. G. G. F. 
 
92 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 4 May, 1703-4 
 The new Charter of Q. Anne incorporating the Company produced. 
 
 1 8 May- 
 Oaths of allegiance and supremacy and for due execution of office, 
 administered. 
 
 July, 1704 
 
 That Vessels be procured with all expedition to bring metals from 
 Neath to London at 453. a tunn, if they cannot be procured cheaper. 
 
 25 October 
 
 Sir H. Mackworth acquainting the Court that the Burgesses of the 
 Town of Neath having endeavoured to impose on this Company 
 some duties on the goods of the Company contrary to law, it is 
 therefore 
 Resolved 
 
 That the Officers belonging to this Company be countenanced and 
 protected against any encroachments or impositions whatsoever, that 
 shall or may happen on that account. 
 30 October 
 
 Complaints about the Post to Neath, that five pounds to be allowed for 
 
 fixing same and settling a bag to go direct to Neath. 
 23 May, 1705 
 
 The pressing of the servants of the Company belonging to the Works at 
 Neath again taken into consideration, and a determined resistance to 
 such illegal practice determined upon. 
 
 4 July- 
 Sub committee report that they had prevailed on Col. Soames, at Bury, 
 
 to procure the discharge of the men prest at Neath,* and further, 
 
 that they had prevailed on one Edward Conway, Esq., barrister-at- 
 
 law, to go to Neath and attend at the Quarter Sessions with 
 
 Certiorates to remove all such orders as shall be made by the Justices 
 
 to the prejudice of this Company. 
 II July 
 Stores wanted at Neath : 
 
 1,000 tuns of Oare. 
 
 300 bushels of Oats. 
 
 100 tuns of Stourbridge Clay. 
 
 1,000 Lytharge Casks. 
 9 August 
 
 Ordered that Mr. Ward be Counsell retained to goe down with 
 
 Sir Humphrey and Sir Thomas Mackworth to Cardiff" Great Sessions, 
 
 on account of the pressing of the men at Neath.* 
 
 * Full particulars relative to these irregular proceedings will be found in 
 my "Neath and its Abbey," 8vo., 1845. G. G. F, 
 
/tf GLAMORGANSHIRE. 93 
 
 27 February, 1706 
 
 Mr. Street, the engraver, laying before this Court the Bill for making 
 the Maces, and a Scale for the Corporation of Neath, and engraving 
 a plate for the special bills at 4 A per cent., amount in the whole to 
 ^36 6s., -Ordered that ^"36 be paid to said Mr. Street in full of hia 
 said bill. Then this Court presented the Scale to Mr. John Davies, 
 Portreeve, and to Mr. Leyson Hopkins, Alderman of the said Town, 
 for the use of the Corporation. 
 
 I imagine these facts as to the Maces and Seal* of the 
 Corporation of Neath, from Silver doubtless made in their 
 own Borough, is quite unknown to the existing Town 
 Council. It is interesting to see that the Goldsmith's 
 mark on the Maces answers accurately to the above date, but 
 strangely enough I was unable to find any minutes whatever 
 in the Corporation Minute Books touching this handsome 
 addition to their official paraphernalia. 
 
 1706 2nd October, 
 
 Ordered That a letter be writt to Thomas Hawkins, to direct him to 
 pay the Tax on the Work houses at Neath, without putting them to 
 the trouble of distrayning. 
 That Mr. Waller do buy such soft oar as is raised at the adjacent mines, 
 
 in order to fflux our hard oares. 
 14 December 
 
 Ordered That wlien the Members of this Company meet by appointment 
 att any Tavern for the service of this Company, That twelve pence 
 each man be allowed towards their expences. 
 23 December 
 
 Further, That two Smelters and one Builder of Furnaces be sent from 
 Neath to Cardiganshire, as soon as Mr. Waller shall desire to have them. 
 1706-7 26 March 
 
 And, That the note given by Mr. Jno. Davies, Portreeve of Neath, 
 for the money laid out for the t Maces, be sent downe to Sr Humfry 
 Mackworth. 
 
 28 May- 
 Ordered, That Mr. Waller employ all the hands he can in raising oar, 
 
 without respect to the charge it may cost for raising the same, and 
 
 * The entry below of 1706-7, 26 March, should be read with this. 
 
 f These Maces are of handsome Silver gilt, and inscribed " ANTIQUA 
 
 VILLA ET BURGUS DE NEATH, COM. GLAMORGAN, ANO. DOM. [706." 
 
 They are stamped with | gM | and the London Hall marks, a Lion, Pard's 
 Head, and letter T. G. G. F. 
 
94 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 that he immediately imploy Carriers to carry such oar to the waterside, 
 to the end that the Works at Neath may be fully supplyed 
 therewith. 
 
 1707 12 November 
 
 Confirmation of an Agreement between Sir H. Mackworth and the 
 Borough of Neath for liberty of loading and unloading the 
 Company's goods at the Bank or Quay of the Corporation of Neath. 
 
 We know that much contention between the Corporation 
 and the Companies had not unnaturally arisen respecting the 
 rates and tolls to be paid under the imports and exports, 
 which the latter had so extensively promoted on the banks of 
 Neath River, but which not being lodged on the Borough 
 Quay itself, may have been considered untaxable elsewhere by 
 the merchants who had provided their own works and wharf- 
 like accommodation without Corporation aid. After much local 
 contention and squabbling over some five and twenty years, 
 it appears to have been harmoniously settled through the 
 instrumentality of the ever ready and universal " Mackworth ; " 
 but whether the Schedule of 1733, made against foreigners 
 or unfree persons and printed in my Neath Vol., was 
 what was thus accomplished or is what is now charged at this 
 Town and Port I do not know, for reliable information at the 
 Corporation offices has been made in vain over several years. 
 Referring to the same volume, it may be observed I note as 
 amongst the Town papers, that in 1703, Sir H. M. had 
 made "a MS. agreement with the Brass-melters ; " that in 
 1709, " Liberty had been obtained by him from one Thomas 
 Forest, a Patentee, to make Iron with Pit Coal," and that in 
 1713, " a Certificate about the Germans" had been lodged 
 with the Corporation, probably for due and safe custody in 
 the same town. Complications or necessities, the details of 
 which might have been very interesting, if the originals 
 instead of a mere list of them had been preserved in their 
 muniment chest ; it further shews us the commercial activity 
 which had been introduced and practised at this period, 
 
LV GLAMORGANSHIRE. 95 
 
 through the recover)' of the " lost Coal " with which Sir 
 Sir H. M. has been credited in this work. 
 
 [EXTRACTS CONTINUED.] 
 1707-828 January 
 
 Ordered, That the plumber at Neath proceed in makeing Flower potts, 
 and that T. Hawkins send up by way of Glo'ster all such fflower potts 
 as are ready made. 
 4 February 
 
 Ordered That the Bullion be carried to the Tower, in order to be coyned, 
 and that Mr. Skeate do attend the coynage and take care of the 
 same. 
 
 10 February 
 
 Ordered, that Mr. Gabb, the Copper Worker at Neath,* be taken into 
 the Company's Works, and that Mr. Hawkins make the best bargaine 
 he can for his services. 
 23 June 
 
 Ordered, That the 279 oz. 18 dwts. of Bullion, and also 349 oz. 12 dwts. 
 and 12 grains of bullion received from Hawkins (at Neath) be sent 
 and pledged to Mr. Cartlish, or some other, in order to receive money 
 for the same, until the bullion can be coined at the Tower of London : 
 And, That a letter be writt to T. Hawkins, to know what quantity 
 of Slaggs are at Neath unsmelted, and if he want men, slag hearths, 
 or any materials for smelting the same. 
 
 11 August 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Waller be instructed that if the Lead at Dovey be 
 cleane and merchantable, then to send 40 tons to Barnestable ; but in 
 case it be rich in Silver, then to send the same to Neath, in order to 
 its being refined. 
 17086 October 
 
 Ordered, That the Copper Oar at Dovey ordered to be barrelled 
 up by the Committee at the Mines, be sent to Neath by the first 
 opportunity. 
 ?7 October 
 
 Whereas this Court is informed that Mr. Joshua Hayward (a gent, who 
 hath lately been to view the Mines belonging to this Company by 
 instruction of His Grace the Duke of Leeds) is of opinion that he 
 can smelt our hard oars, which are the most chargeable and difficult 
 to be run, much cheaper than they are now smelted, and thereby 
 very considerably advance the interests of the Company. Therefore 
 to the end that the said Mr. Hayward may make a just tryall of the 
 said Oars, and thereby be enabled to make a proposal at what rate he 
 will undertake to smelt the same, it is 
 
 * ' A Copper Worker at Neath,' would most probably have Corns out 
 Of the Mines Royal employment ? 
 
96 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 1708. 
 
 Ordered, 
 
 That Mr. Waller, with all expedition, deliver or cause to be delivered 
 to Mr. Joshua Hayward, on his order, at Bridgnorth in Shropshire, 
 Two Tunns weight of the several sorts of Ore following, viz : 
 Cumsumlock, Goginian, and Cummustwith. 
 
 8 December 
 
 Ordered, That 200 Tunns of Lead be delivered to Sir Humphrey 
 Mackworth, or his order, computing the same at ^8 the tunn, to pay 
 ready money for the same, and that Sir H. Mackworth bee allowed 
 until the delivery of the said Lead, interest for all such moneys as he 
 shall pay our Officers in the country for carrying on the Works at 
 Neath. 
 
 24 December 
 
 Ordered, That the Bullion already refined at Neath be sent by the next 
 Monmouth carrier to London, and consigned to Mr, Dykes there. 
 
 It has been generally supposed that the next Copper Works 
 erected in ' The Swansea District ' were those at Taibach, for 
 the Governor and Company of Copper Miners, about three 
 quarters of a mile eastward and beyond the Borough tf 
 Aberavon. Mr. Talbot was kind enough to look through 
 his leases at Margam Park, and he informed me that 
 the first grant of land for works there, was given to Messrs. 
 Newton and Cartwright, in the year 1727. It can therefore 
 be shewn that Swansea took precedence of Aberavon in this 
 eventual vast manufacture,* as the Corporation of Swansea 
 gave its formal sanction to the erection of a Copper Works 
 on the site of the old Cambrian Pottery,f just within the 
 Borough boundary, in the year 1720, as the following curious 
 documents in my possession will prove : 
 
 * For Dr. Lane had built his works at Landore in 1717, and the 
 Corporation had authorised the Swansea Copper Works as above stated, 
 in 1720. See G. P.'s letter on following pages. 
 
 t At present, (1880) the Patent Fuel Works of the French Co., under 
 the management of Messrs. Cory, Yeo & Co. G. G. F, 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 97 
 
 " Wee the Portreeve, Aldermen & Burgesses of the Burrough of 
 Swansey in the County of Glamorgan doe hereby certifye all whom it may 
 concerne That Wee doe approue of the erecting of a Copper Worke upon 
 the Bank commonly caled Mr. Ley's, alias Thomas Evans' Coale Bank 
 and wee doe further Declare that it is our unanimous opinion that the 
 carrying on the said Worke will prove very much to the advantage and not 
 in the least prejudicial or hurtful to our said Burrough or the Inhabitants 
 thereof. In Wittnesse whereof Wee have hereunto sett our hands & 
 the Common Seal of the said Burrough this 26th Day of September, 
 A: D: 1720." 
 
 " Since ye last Lre ye Portreeve Aldermen (except Alderman Ayres 
 who is Steward to Mr. Popkins, Jenkin Jones, whose sonnes in law are 
 imployed in bringing Dr. Lane's Oars & Mr. Da Thos who is p, missed to 
 succeed in ye Dukes affayres) & Burgesses have putt their names and ye 
 Common Seal of the Burrough to an instrumt a Copy whrof is above 
 written. G. P." 
 
 For 
 
 John Burgh, Esq. 
 
 att Troy near Monmouth, " 2Qth Sept. 1720." 
 
 These. 
 
 " Dear Sir. I have been favoured with yors togeather with one 
 inclosed to James Griffith wch I delivered he has returned an Answear 
 in the same words as the Copy thereof hereinclosed wch will save me the 
 trouble of writeing a great deal of what 1 thought it my duty to menc'on to 
 you in that affayre. I shall therefore only observe that it must be granted 
 that the Duke by obliedgeing us in a pticular (Taken by others without 
 makeing the least acknowledgemt to his Grace) will gain considerably 
 & if so I hope Mr. Beavans & myselfe will not be thought the worse of 
 encourageing the underlakeing. It may be imagined from the trouble 
 wee take in sollicking this affayre that our measures are entirely broak if 
 wee are disappointed therein but, if I may creditt our managers, It will not 
 be^ioayeare losse or advantage to us. They give instances of several 
 workes carryed on without watter but were it absolutely necessary there 
 are other wayes to supply that defect with abt ^40 more expence wch 
 were it to fall to my own share I should not value very much but what 
 gives me the greatest uneasinesse is that a cunning crafty pson (I mean 
 Mr. Popkins, for I dare name him tho' he dare not avow his false as wel as 
 sly insinuations now [sic : nor ?] the loth pte of his incroachmts upon my 
 Ld Duke & his other neighbours) who has from the beginning opposed 
 my Ld Duke & his interest should prevayle with that family (wch wee 
 have served to the utmost of our power) to Deny us a favor wch tends to 
 his Graces interest. I cannot imagine how he comes to be soe careful of 
 the health of the Inhabitants of Swanzey all of a suddain he has opposed 
 its welfare all that lay in him & p'ticularly in the contest between us and 
 
 H 
 
98 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 the out-Burgesses of Loughor for wch reason (among others) wee 
 refused to bring him in Alderman. Sil : Bevans* and Myselfe are 
 much more concerned for the health of this place, ourselves 
 family (wch are numerous) live in it & wee are not soe necessitous 
 or soe covetous that we would endanger our healths for any 
 considerations whatsoever. There are several Copper workesf near 
 Neath, several inhabitants abt those workes, & yet we doe not hear 
 the least complaint of any unhealthinesse thereby, nay, I am told 
 there is a Copper worke in ye middle of Southwark must ours be more 
 unhealthy than those or Doctor Lanes wch is surrounded with inhabitants, 
 verry strange indeed & what wee never heard untill ye last Letter. It 
 was insinuated unto me (who has been at ^"150 abt my Garden) in order 
 to divert me from this affayre that it would spoyle my Garden but that 
 I look upon as idle as the least of their ptences. There is but one wind 
 in the 24 & that wch blows ye most seldom vizt N.N.E. that will blow 
 upon any p,te of ye Towne & ye work being three fields distance from 
 ye uppermost nouse in Towne I am wel satisfyed It will not affect us 
 But upon ye whole, let ye consequence be what it will, Wee are determined 
 to Goe on & think it very hard that the Inhabitants of this Place should 
 be debarred of seekeing those advantages wch their situation intitles them 
 to without being opposed by Strangers whose Avarice would ingrosse all 
 advantages to themselves ! Had wee the happiness to see you here I 
 should hope to have this affayre terminated in our favor but since that is 
 denyed us I do insist on ye p,mise to visit our friends in Breconshire 
 Col Vaughan, Major Wms & honest Mr. Will. Aubrey expect you my 
 house Pennant (wch I desire you will make yrs) is within halfe a mile of 
 Brecon. If you will lett me know ye time I will be sure to be there to 
 Receive you I doe not doubt but Ned : Catchmayd & Will : Edwards 
 will attend you." 
 
 " I am, worthy S'r 
 
 yr most obliedged humble Servant 
 
 To GAB. POWELL." 
 
 JOHN BURGH, Esqr. 
 
 This "Gabriel Powell" was the then Steward of the 
 Lordship of Gower, and "John Burgh," Trustee of the Duke 
 
 * Saw a portrait of him by Zoffany, at the Brighton Exhibition in 1872, 
 lent by Mr. Bevan, his descendant, the Banker of London. 
 
 f In the Ministers' Accounts of the Exchequer, of the I ;th year of King 
 Edward the 4th, 1479, appears the following entry: "By the hands of 
 " the Reeve of the aforesaid Town of Swaynsey, for the rent of the 
 " Smelting House, near the Castle there, formerly of Henry Conneway, 
 " which was wont to render 45. 8d. to the Crown." Vide this, in my 
 letter to Cambrian^ dated 22nd Sept., 1868, on the next page, as well as 
 in the Evidence of the Case and declaration of Corporation v. Lumsden, 
 tried 2nd January, 1832, at Swansea Assizes, G, G, F. 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 99 
 
 of Beaufort of that time in those days ruling powers in 
 Swansea. These documents, however, prove to me that the 
 first Copper Works on the banks of the Tawe near Swansea were 
 those of Dr. Lane and his relative Mr. Pollard, called 
 
 THE LLANGAVELACH WORKS, 
 
 erected in that parish a little west and north of the 
 present Tinplate Works* of G. B. Morris & Co., at Landore, 
 and according to a Plan of the fee of Trewyddfa, dated 1761, 
 now before me ; they must have stood on the ground 
 partially occupied by the Turnpike Road to Neath, and, as at 
 that date, they are on the plan described "Old Copper 
 Works, Thomas Popkins, Esq.," they were probably disused, 
 if not ruinated. To Dr. Percy I am indebted for a copy of 
 their appearance as shown by a curious old drawing in the 
 Topographical Collection of George the Third, still preserved 
 in the British Museum. When first erected and used I have 
 been unable to discover an authority for, but f the Dr. says 
 they were at work in 1745. 
 
 THE SMELTING OF COPPER 
 IN THE SWANSEA DISTRICT 
 
 TO THE EDITOR OF "THE CAMBRIAN." 
 
 SIR, My communications in your columns on this subject last year 
 satisfactorily proved the commencement of this important manufacture in 
 our District to have taken place at Neath in July, 1584,]: but I was at the 
 same time obliged to confess my regret that I had been unable to discover 
 the precise date when the first copper works on the Tawe were erected 
 near Swansea,^ though they were said to be at work in 1745. 
 
 * See the Municipal boundary Map in my Swansea Charters, folio, 1867, 
 p. 119, No. 39 reference. 
 
 t They were built in 1717, as described over leaf. 
 
 J At p. 23 of " History of Swansea," is a note in which it is said " there 
 " was no ^Copper works at Swansea till about 1719, when the first was 
 " erected on the site next occupied by the old Cambrian Pottery, but, I 
 ' believe that a Copper Work was in operation at Neath nearly 20 years 
 " before." L. w. D. 
 
 Vide the orig. work on Copper Smelting, 8vo. 1867, pp. 7 & 8. 
 
 G. G. F, 
 H 2 
 
100 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 I am now, however, in a position to fix the year in which the Copper 
 trade itself began near Swansea, as the following extract from a document 
 still in the Muniment room of our Corporation proves.* 
 
 For the purpose of some proceedings at law, on the part of the 
 Burgesses, "a case" was prepared for Counsel, and " the opinion" given 
 thereon is signed N. Fazakerly, 19 April, 1734.* Amongst other matters 
 the Town Clerk of that day set forth was, that " in the year 1717, Works 
 were first erected upon the river of Swansea for smelting Copper and 
 Lead ores, which works are scituated above the Town, and about two miles 
 beyond the extent [boundary] of this Corporation. In the year 1720, 
 another work was erected upon Swansea river for smelting of Copper 
 ores,f which is scituated within the limits of the Corporation," at 
 Burlaisbrook junction with Tawe. 
 
 So that, historically, we now know that the Smelting of Copper at its 
 present several centres in this District was as follows : 
 
 At Neath, by the Mines Royal, in the year 1584 
 
 At Swansea, by Dr. Lane and 
 
 Mr. Pollard ,, 1717-20 
 
 At Taibach, by Newton and 
 
 Cartwright ,, 1727 
 
 At Penclawdd, by John Vivian 1800 
 
 At Llanelly, by Daniel, Nevill 
 
 and Others ,, 1805 
 
 At Loughor, by Morris and Rees ,, 1809 
 
 At Cwmavan, by Vigors & Son ,, 1837 
 
 At Pembrey, by Mason and 
 
 Elkington ,, 1846 
 
 I am glad to have thus filled up the only important hiatus in my work, 
 and shall have pleasure in supplying any one who has a copy of the orig. 
 work with this additional information in print, to go in at its page 7 r , 
 under the sub-head of " Llangavelach works." 
 
 I remain, Sir, yours faithfully, 
 
 GEO. GRANT-FRANCIS, F.S.A., 
 
 Lt.-Col. 
 Cae Bailey, 22d Sept., 1868. 
 
 Though Dr. Lane had been thus the first to introduce "the 
 great Staple of Swansea" to the banks of the Tawe, it is but 
 bare justice to say, that the perception of its real value to the 
 District and the fixing of the Trade to this Centre, is pre- 
 eminently due to the first Gabriel Powell, and the "Wee, who 
 are determined to go on, let the consequences be what they 
 will," and who thought it "very hard that the Inhabitants of 
 
 * For which, let reader examine the ' Miscellaneous Vol.' there for f545 
 1844. 
 
 f See also, this Vol. earlier, under ' Swansea Works.' 
 
AY GLAMORGANSHIRE. 101 
 
 Swanzey should be debarred of seeking those advantages 
 which their situation entitled them to." There was a far- 
 sightedness about this, which was greatly to the credit of the 
 ducal agent of the day, paralleled only by that of the late Mr. 
 F. P. Hooper in the same capacity, when forcing on the Floating 
 accommodation of later years in the Port of Swansea. Though 
 no part of Dr. Lane's Works remain above ground, I am in- 
 formed that at the present Landore Tin-plate Works,* and in 
 the ground all around, even now, when cutting below the 
 surfaces, the workmen constantly have to drive through large 
 deposits of the well-known " Copper Slag," the out-throw of 
 those old works. 
 
 Touching these establishments, Mr. W. Edmond was good 
 enough to hand me the following memorandum, given him by 
 a friend some years since, at Clase, but whence the authority for 
 the dates was obtained by that gentleman he was unable to say: 
 
 " Copper Works were erected at Bank-y-Gockus,f at Swansea, in 
 1719; were removed soon afterwards to Landore; they passed into the 
 hands of Lockwood, Morris & Co., in 1727, and later in the same year were 
 removed up to the then New works at " Forest." In 1747 an assay office 
 was built there, and is still in existence, as well as an underground canal 
 (also still open) through which the coal was brought for use into the Works." 
 
 Mr. S. C. Hall, in his " Book of South Wales," copies the 
 following interesting matter, as he states, from an old Swansea 
 Guide Book : 
 
 "It is known that the art of making copper was anciently practised 
 in Great Britain, yet it was certainly from the reign of Queen Elizabeth 
 that it was attempted to be revived by Sir Clement Clark in Cornwall 
 
 [about 
 
 * At p. 43 of " Windham's Tour in Wales," 8vo., 1775, tliat author 
 says : " Swansea makes a handsome appearance from the approach to it, 
 being built at the mouth of the Tawey, on a semicircular bank above it. 
 The Town is populous and the streets are wide : it carries on a considerable 
 trade in coals, pottery and copper. A large Copper Work is constantly 
 smoking in view of the Town, and another still larger employs many 
 hands a few miles up the river towards Neath." * * * "The plenty 
 of Coal in this neighbourhood and its convenience of export have caused the 
 preference for this locality." 
 
 f Bank-y-Gockus, I suspect to have been the spot on which the 
 works of Dr. Lane were built in 1717, or possibly, some place near by, 
 where the first trials and Copper Slags were made. 
 
102 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 about [? date], where he built some furnaces ; * but finding the price of Coal 
 too high in that country to make copper profitably, he removed his 
 project to the river side Hotwells, near Bristol. Sir Clement soon 
 failed, but having employed Mr. Coster and Mr. Wayne as managers, the 
 latter, in conjunction with Sir Abraham Elton, erected a Copper Works at 
 Screws' Hole near Bristol, where they soon made a profit of ,60,000. 
 Mr. Coster, however, erected his Work at Red Brook, in Glostershire, on 
 the side of the river Wye, although by no means a good situation ; yet by 
 buying ore in Cornwall at a very low price (it being at that time thrown 
 aside by the miners in working for Tin as good for little or nothing, under 
 the name of Poder), he soon also greatly improved his fortune. After his 
 death his sons joined the Brass Wire Company,! of Bristol, (under 
 Messrs. Harford & Co.) considering that to be a better situation than 
 Red Brook; though Mr. Chambers, of London, (now under the name, by 
 charter, of the English Copper Company) thought proper to make erections 
 on the Wye, but which were afterwards removed to Taibach, beyond Neath. 
 About the years 1 700 Sir Humphrey Mackworth, with a Company calling 
 themselves " The Mine Adventurers," erected premises for smelting Copper 
 at Mellyn-gry-than, nr. Gnoll, Neath; and about the same time Mr. 
 Pollard, who held considerable Copper Mines upon his estate in Cornwall, 
 in conjunction with his son-in-law, Dr. Lane, erected Works where the old 
 Cambrian PotteryJ is now carried on near Swansea, and subsequently at 
 Landore ; but he having failed, as many others did at the period of the 
 South-Sea bubble, these works were purchased by Richard Lockwood, 
 Edward Gibbon (the grandfather of the great historian), and Robert 
 Morris, Esq., father of the first Sir John Morris, Bart. ; by whom and other 
 immediate representatives they were carried on for nearly a century, together 
 with very extensive Collieries, the consequence of which connection very 
 rapidly led to the improvement of Swansea Town and its commerce." 
 
 In addition to the foregoing works, I find that one Wm. 
 Wood, a proprietor of Iron and Copper Works, obtained 
 a Patent in 1720, to coin half-pence and farthings for Ireland. 
 The Mint at that time paid is. 6d. a Ib. for prepared Copper, 
 and the charge for coinage was 4d. a Ib. ; while the duties and 
 allowances on Copper imported into Ireland were 20 pr. ct. 
 The Copper used by Wood for his beautiful coins was manu- 
 
 * Mr. Keates says : " The Bristol Brass and Copper Co. bought ores 
 " also as Harfords & Co., Harfords and Bristol Brass Co., and also as 
 " Brass Wire Co. Mr. John Bevan of Morriston, was their last smelting 
 " manager." 
 
 t In my Report on the Estate of the Corporation, 8vo., 1851, p. i, an 
 extract from the Cambrian Pottery Lease runs thus : " The Pottery, 
 being part of the premises formerly called the old Copper Works." G. G. F. 
 
 j; That this is a mistake has been made pretty clear by the evidence 
 contained in the earlier series of letters in these pages. 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 103 
 
 factured at the Neath-Abbey Works, until the stupid Irish 
 people urged on by the Drapier's letters, politically written by 
 Swift against the Government of the day, refused in 1724 to 
 accept them in lawful tender, and the unfortunate Patentee 
 was threatened to be " scalded to death in his own melting 
 " Copper and then hanged " ! * 
 
 Reading my proof of this page and the " Times " of the 
 day (May, 1881), I am horrified to observe that IRELAND is 
 once more resorting to similar political cruelties in roasting 
 no less than three bailiffs alive, under the wretched Land 
 League system of Parnell and Davitt, now actively displacing 
 common sense and its ordinary practices ! 
 
 There is also an interesting foot-note at p. 339 of Mr. 
 S. C. Hall's work on South Wales, giving an account of the 
 export of copper ores from Ireland to the Swansea centre of 
 manufacture by Col. Hall, that author's father. 
 
 For the sake of continuous history however, we must now 
 return to 
 
 THE COPPER WORKS AT TAIBACH, 
 
 Which I have shown were erected in 1727. But it is not 
 certain when the original builders, Newton & Cartwright, had 
 the first lease of the Collieries at the rear of Taibach, (now held 
 by Mr. Shaw of Cwmavan,f and Messrs. Vivian : it is supposed 
 that they assigned their lease to the English Copper Co. and left 
 Aberavon),J but it is not accurately known when " The Gover- 
 nor and Company of Copper Miners in England " vacated 
 Redbrook|| and commenced smelting in Glamorganshire; be 
 
 * Vide a notice of this in Ch. Knight's " England," vol. vi., pp. 51, 52, 
 where also are to be seen wood-cuts of the 3 coins of Geo. I. 
 
 t Whose concern is called "The Gov. and Co. of Copper Miners 
 Successors," Cwmavan. 
 
 \ Oldisworth, says : " Aberavon is become of more note since the 
 establishment of the great Copper Works, which belong to the Bristol 
 Company, see 1st Swansea Guide, 1802, p. 67. 
 
 More commonly known at present as the " English Copper Company." 
 ] A view of these works, as they now exist there, may be seen in Hall's 
 South Wales, p. 105. G. G. F, 
 
104 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 that as it may, when they did arrive they existed and dealt as a 
 Company under the powers of a special Grant from the Crown. 
 To William and Mary they were indebted for a Charter, dated 
 3rd of August, 1691, the preamble and details of which I 
 shall now give in abstract to save both time and space. 
 
 THE GOVERNOR & COMPANY 
 
 OF COPPER MINERS IN ENGLAND, 
 
 INCORPORATED BY WILLIAM AND MARY. 
 
 Setting out with a Preamble 
 
 Of which the recital states That, " Whereas great quantities of Copper ore 
 are found in divers parts of this our kingdom, which, for want of skilful 
 artists to refine and purify the same, is totally neglected and unimproved, 
 to the great loss and detriment of this our kingdom in general, vast sums 
 of money being yearly remitted to foreign parts to pay for the said 
 commodity, and whereas our trusty and well-beloved subjects Sir Joseph 
 Hern, Knight, John Briseve, Francis Tyson, Esquires, Samuel Howard 
 and Richard Munford, of London, Merchants, have set forth that they 
 have formed out several furnaces, engines, and other ways methods and 
 inventions for the more easy and effectual melting down, refining, and 
 purifying the same, that have not hitherto been used or practised in these 
 our Dominions by any other of our subjects. And whereas they have 
 most humbly besought us to incorporate them and divers others herein- 
 after mentioned to manage and carry on the same by a Joint-Stock." 
 
 Now know ye, &c., that, By the name of the Governor and Company 
 of Copper Miners in England they shall be a body Corporate. 
 
 To continue for ever and to have perpetual succession by the same 
 name. 
 
 May purchase and hold lands not exceeding ^6,000 a-year in value ; 
 may dispose of any ; and may plead and be implcaded in any Court 
 
 May have a Common Seal, and alter the same. 
 
 A Governor and Deputy-Governor and Assistants to be chosen. 
 
 Sir Joseph Hern to be the first Governor. 
 
 Power to keep a Court (of management) in London or elsewhere. 
 
 Seven or more Assistants with Governor or Deputy-Governor to make 
 a Court. 
 
 Power in them to appoint Officers, and make Bye-Laws, and then to 
 alter or annul as they see fit. 
 
 Power to inflict penalties, but said penalties to be recovered by action 
 of debt only, and to be for the Company's use. 
 
 Power to appoint Sub-Committees, and summon Members to the Court, 
 
 Governor, Deputy-Governor and Assistants to be chosen yearly on 2gth 
 Sept., or within 14 days. 
 
V- n '>./,<. V 
 
 FROM ORIGINAL DRAWINGS BY J. M. W TURNER. R.A- 
 DEPOSITED IN THE NATIONAL GALLERY, LONDON. 
 AIMD EMTITLED "PICTURESQUE MANUFACTURE." 
 
 
 
 WORKS FOR COPPER MANUFACTURE WITH ACCOMPANY POWER. 
 
 IN LLANGAv'ELACH PARISH NEAR SWANSEA. 
 
 CtRCA I75O- 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 105 
 
 Decisions to be by plurality of votes. 
 
 To continue for a year or until others appointed. 
 
 Votes to be sent in writing. 
 
 Proportion of Votes to Shares. 
 
 The Oaths of the Officers of the Company to be taken within 14 days. 
 
 Governor and Company, in Court assembled, have power to remove 
 Officers. 
 
 Appointments in case of vacancies. 
 
 Persons who subscribe moneys and do not pay within 14 days may be 
 disenfranchised. 
 
 The first Governor to take the Oath before the Lord Chief Justice or 
 the Lord Mayor. 
 
 Judges, Mayors and public Officers to favour, aid, further, help and 
 assist in all things according to the Charter. 
 
 Power to raise a joint-stock of any value, and to increase or reduce the 
 same. 
 
 The words of the Charter to be construed to the benefit of the 
 Company. 
 
 It should be observed that this Charter gives no power to 
 imprison shareholders, as did those of an earlier 'date. 
 
 A month later, a like Charter for Ireland, and two months 
 after, another for New England in America, were granted by 
 the same Sovereigns to the Governor and Company; and 
 several years afterwards, I discovered that a fourth Charter, 
 modifying dates for the election of officers and other working 
 details, was granted by Queen ANNE, but it is quite un- 
 necessary to trouble the reader with their particulars 
 
 Mr. John Wright is said to have come from Redbrook, in 
 Gloucestershire, to act as Manager. I have been informed 
 on good authority that while the Taibach Works were being 
 constructed, the English Copper Company rented and used 
 those of Sir H. Mackworth, at Melincrythan, near Neath. This, 
 on the face of it, would appear to be a rather strange proceeding 
 commercially ; but I give the statement for what it is worth. 
 From their erection to the present day, however, these works 
 at Taibach have continued to be carried on with success. 
 They are conveniently situated for coal of the right quality, 
 
106 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 at a moderate cost, with ready carriage to and fro, through 
 the ancient Borough and Port of Aberavon, now more 
 generally known as Port Talbot. After the death of Mr. 
 Wright, the management of the works fell to Mr. Philip 
 Jones, father of Mr. William Jones, which latter gentleman was 
 manager when Messrs. Vivian and Sons purchased the works 
 in 1839, which gentlemen, it is said, revived and enlarged them 
 on a perpetual lease, at a fine certain to the Landowner, 
 Mr. Talbot, and they continue to this day under the personal 
 supervision of one of the acting partners, A. Pendarvis Vivian, 
 Esq., M.P. for Cornwall (West). 
 
 Happening to have balance sheets of the Llangavelach works 
 for the years 1743 and 1745, I select those for '45, not only 
 being very full of detail, but as giving interesting particulars 
 relative to the partnership, and the then intended changes 
 therein. " The Swansea Copper Works " are noticed in both 
 these accounts, thus shewing that they were in operation in 
 those years, a fact which I have observed only in them and 
 one of the balance-sheets of the Forest Works, dated 1768. 
 
 LANGUVELACK COPPER WORKS, SWANSEA. 
 " BALLANCE OF THE BOOKS OF THE CONCERNED. 
 
 THE 31 DECEMBER, 1745. 
 
 "DR. s. d. 
 
 To James Laroche, of Bristol 846 5 4 
 
 Voyage to Lisbon per 5 Copper teaches* 59 2 5 
 
 ,, Consignments from the Works per cargo 28 December, 
 
 not arrived 934 10 o 
 
 ,, Voyage to Dublin, unsold 9-16-3-5 1379 16 3 
 
 ,, Goods in the hands of James Laroche 328 10 4 
 
 ,, Battered? Copper in London, 15 tons 1960 o o 
 
 ,, Silver at the Works, 7802. lodwts 21 11 9 
 
 ,, Thomas Morris 66 5 o 
 
 ,, Shares in the Ember Company 226 13 4 
 
 ,, Stock remaining at the Works I 5753 ll 8 
 
 ,, Battery Mills Building Account 4662 o 7 
 
 * A technical term for the hollow bottom of a strong copper boiler, formerly much 
 employed when acids came in for use. 
 
 + cleaning hammered or beaten out. 
 
UNIVERSITY 
 ; 
 
7.V GLAMORGANSHIRE. 107 
 
 "DR. s. d. 
 
 To Swansea Copper Works 5 16 7 
 
 ,, Partners in the Copper Mines at Innerniel 1210 o 
 
 Thomas Bennett of Swansea 310 9 2 
 
 ,, Leasehold house in Salt er's Court, London 146 4 7 
 
 ,, Mark Grey of Swansea 1800 
 
 Cash 192 15 10 
 
 Copper smiths, copper warehouse, &c., in company with 
 
 Thayts* 7911 6 5 
 
 ,, Copper ore remaining in Cornwall 816 t 5 r 33 *3 5 
 
 ,, Lead at the Works 53 5 I 
 
 Lead ore remaining in Cornwall 13 t 223 17 9 
 
 ,, Lead in London 60 t 597 n I 
 
 ,, William Johnson 79 6 9 
 
 Metals in London, pot metal & bell metal 345*5 o 
 
 ,, Thomas Turner of Birmingham 392 7 8 
 
 Moses Slade 267 12 i 
 
 William Thayts* 6134 I 2 
 
 Battered copper at the Works u t 1430 10 r 
 
 Battery Mills Working Account 6261611 
 
 ,, Bills remitted us per the Bill on Jos. Gulston, jua 272 711 
 
 ,, Fine copper in London, 7 tons, 9 cwts., at ;i 12 835 12 o 
 
 ,, Sir James Creed ... 408 2 7 
 
 ,, George Medley of Lisbon 805 4 I 
 
 Navy Bills 25 18 7 
 
 Francis Thome of Dublin 394 5 11 
 
 50,842 17 7' 
 
 CR. s. d. 
 
 By Richard Lockwood, his account current 2042 18 o 
 
 Edward Elliston Ditto 8087 8 5 
 
 Hester Gibbon t Ditto 929 o 3 
 
 ,, The Exors. of Ed. Gibbonf Ditto 1027 13 7 
 
 The Extrix. of E.Mornington Ditto ... 258 16 4 
 
 Robert Morris Ditto ... 1531 7 I 
 
 ,, John Lockwood Ditto 985 12 u 
 
 John Phillips 200611 6 
 
 John Vaughan 21 n 4 
 
 Account of Discount 2800 o o 
 
 The Duke of Beaufort 70 9 o 
 
 ,, Thomas Popkins 17 I 10 
 
 * Mr. Keates suggests that, this should be Thoyts who had a Copper Mill 
 at Merton in Surrey, held afterwards by Messrs. Jas. Shears & Sons. 
 
 G. G. F. 
 
 | Of the great Historian's family. 
 
108 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 "CR. S. d. 
 
 By Charles Du Bois 5592 12 n 
 
 Richard Lockwood's account of capital per 15-40 Shares 7500 o o 
 
 ,, Edward Elliston Ditto 6 Ditto 5000 o o 
 
 ,, Hester Gibbon Ditto 6 Ditto 5000 o o 
 
 ,, Executors of Edward Gibbon Ditto* 5 Ditto 2500 o o 
 
 ,, Executrix of Edward Mornington Ditto 4 Ditto 2000 o o 
 
 Robert Morris Ditto 2 Ditto 1000 o o 
 
 John Lockwood Ditto 2 Ditto 1000 o o 
 
 ,, William Perrin 7 !6 3 
 
 ,, Royal Exchange Assurance Company 338 12 o 
 
 ,, Stephen Peter Godin 10 9 o 
 
 Thomas Goldney 16 6 3 
 
 William Bevan 1924 15 5 
 
 ,, Robert Morris, our account 320 n 5 
 
 ,, Bills drawn on us 1928 4 7 
 
 ,, Phillip Jenkins 43 7 8 
 
 ,, Thomas Rogers 76 o o 
 
 ,, Cutts Maydwell, Esq 1005 u 9 
 
 ,50,842 17 7 " 
 
 28th May, 1746. 
 
 " We do hereby acknowledge to have examined the several accounts 
 from which this balance of our Books is drawn from 3ist December, 
 1744, to 3 1st December, 1745, and we find there has been a profit of Nine 
 hundred and forty-five pounds, five shillings and ninepence in that year 
 upon our joint capital stock of twenty thousand pounds, which profit is 
 divided according to our respective shares, and carried to the credit of 
 our particular accounts. There are also several debts due and owing to 
 this our partnership which are at present deemed dubious or desperate, of 
 which there is a list annexed, amounting to nine hundred and eighty-six 
 pounds, four shillings and sixpence ; and whenever the whole or any part 
 thereof can be recovered and is received, the same is to be divided 
 according to our respective shares ; and whereas by Agreement made and 
 signed between us the i8th July, 1744, we did mutually resolve to 
 determine our partnership on the 3ist December, 1745; and did also 
 agree that the majority of the partners should have at that time power to 
 sell and transfer our whole Capital to whomsoever they could agree with. 
 Either of the partners interested in this copartnership, or any others 
 with them, at the full amount of our net capital, which being 
 Twenty thousand pounds. And whereas Richard Lockwood, Edward 
 Elliston, John Lockwood, Robert Morris, and Hester Gibbon, have 
 agreed to purchase the same at the sum of Twenty thousand pounds, to be 
 paid to us according to our respective shares and interest therein after the 
 
 * I would note that, these proportions do not represent equivalents. 
 
 Q. G. F, 
 
W GLAMORGANSHIRE. 109 
 
 3 1st December, 1747, and before the 29th September, 1748, and also to 
 pay to us on the 3ist December, 1746, two thousand pounds ; and on the 
 3 1st December, 1747, the like sum of two thousand pounds, being 10 per 
 cent, on our capital for each of these two ensuing years, in lieu of profits 
 and all interest therein. In consideration thereof, we do hereby assign, 
 sell, transfer, and make over our several and joint interests in the Copper 
 and Lead Trade, with all our works and mills for carrying on the same, 
 and also all debts and effects whatsover of which our said net capital of 
 twenty thousand is now composed and consists in, unto the said Richard 
 Lockwood, Edward Elliston, John Lockwood, Robert Morris, and Hester 
 Gibbon, their executors, administrators, and assigns, who are likewise to 
 take upon themselves all debts, engagements, incumbrances whatsoever 
 which our said copartnership now stands liable to and obliged for, and for 
 ever to exonerate and discharge us and our respective heirs, executors, and 
 administrators therefrom." 
 
 "The List of Debts referred to in the foregoing Preamble. 
 
 John Saunders .. ... 10 5 6 
 
 John Barley 6 4 10 
 
 George Causeway 621 
 
 John Jones 986 
 
 JohnHyat 1012 o 
 
 George Lester 6 10 10 
 
 William Watkins 2213 I 
 
 William Brokinbrow 5 I" II 
 
 John Lord 24 11 9 
 
 Richard Matthews 10 8 8 
 
 John Mason 233 13 
 
 Francis Bills 276 I 9 
 
 Thomas Badger .. .. ) 
 
 } 44 i 7 
 
 John Cowper 
 J. Tavarrer .. 
 M. De Costa 
 
 288 3 10 
 
 F. Ferreira 
 
 Longfield Horker 31 311 
 
 986 4 6" 
 
 "R. Lockwood for 15-40 Shares. 
 
 Edward Elliston for 6-40 ,, 
 
 Hester Gibbon for* 6-40 ,, 
 
 As Executor to E. Gibbon, Esq., E. Elliston for* 5-40 
 As Executrix to Edward Mornington, Esq., 
 
 Bridget Mornington for* 4-40 ,, 
 
 R. Morris for 2-40 ,, 
 
 John Lockwood for 2-40 ,, " 
 
 * For the celebrated Historian's family, 
 
110 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 If \ve may rely on the statement made by Mr. S. C. Hall, 
 the business of Lockwood, Morris and Co., was moved from 
 the Llangavelach Works up to 
 
 THE FoREST-CoppFR WORKS, 
 
 situate some half-mile further north on the Swansea river, in 
 the year 1727. 
 
 The greater facility of getting in Coal at that point was 
 possibly the reason for this removal, and it has been sug- 
 gested that the question of "the Copper smoke" had 
 begun to prove troublesome in the previously used local 
 centres. 
 
 If it is difficult to fix with anything like precision the date 
 of the opening of the various Works, to ascertain the period 
 of their change or closing is still more so is indeed, rather to 
 be gathered incidentally than positively ; thus, in a previous 
 page I ventured to indicate that the Llangavelach Works 
 were not in operation in 1761, and the balance-sheet of 1768, 
 which will presently be laid before the reader, goes to prove 
 the fact, that the words *' old Copper Works on the estate- 
 plan of Mr. Popkins," mentioned further back, may simply 
 mean that they had been there a comparatively long time. 
 The view of the Forest Works taken in 1794, which I have 
 had revived by photography, gives an excellent idea of the 
 arrangement of the furnaces surrounded and connected by a 
 circular wall, which was covered over by one roof, a plan 
 doubtless adopted for the convenience of working (as well 
 as by the porch to the doors for the privacy which was 
 thereby ensured), and which in the early times of the 
 Trade we have seen was forced on the workmen by the 
 administration of Oaths specially authorized by the Cro\vn 
 Charters 1 
 
 In one of the many obliging and interesting letters for 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. Ill 
 
 which I am indebted to Mr. Wm. Edmond, of Clase, 
 he says: "In 1747, an assay office was built at Poorest, 
 and is still in existence there, and an underground canal, 
 over which was brought the necessary coal direct into the 
 works. The accounts of 1743 shew that they had rolling- 
 mills and hammer-mills ('Battery' Works) on the site 
 now [1867] occupied by the Beaufort Iron-plate Co., 
 built convenient to their Smelting Works at the Forest, and 
 if the ' Llangavelach Works' mean those of Landore, it 
 must have been very inconvenient thus to haul so heavy an 
 article as all their Copper from Landore to Forest. The 
 Forest, or Llangavelach Works are not those now 
 existing at Forest, for in 183.}. I was asked to be present 
 at the removal of the last of the old buildings. They 
 were formed of four large circular structures ; the whole 
 arranged so that the fire-places being on the outside of the 
 circular walls, they* were so placed within them, as to 
 conceal all that was going on in the manufactory. 
 In the centre of these four circular houses stood the 
 'Refinery' which is still there, and octagonal in its shape. 
 The public road anciently went under an arch at the 
 Refinery, and crossed the river at the Hen Bont, or old 
 bridge a little above the late Mr. Hallam's 'Tin-plate W T orks 
 at Forest.' " 
 
 When, precisely, the first firm of Lockwoodsf and Morris 
 ceased to be connected with those Works, has not yet been 
 ascertained, but the Rev. J. Evans, in his "Tours in South 
 Wales," of 1803, mentions "Mr. Morris of Clasemont" as 
 one of the then existing eight Copper Smelting firms in the 
 
 * The Forest Works were bought in 1867, by Mr. H. H. Vivian, M.P,, 
 and converted into a Zinc manufactory and so remain to this day. G. G. P 1 , 
 
 f Mr. Lockwood raised a Corps of Rifle Volunteers during the French 
 war, which wore a dark green uniform, mounted in silver lace. D, R, 
 
132 COPPER SMELT! XS 
 
 Swansea District. In times more within our immediate ken, 
 it is not difficult to remember "Forest" in the hands of Mr 
 Troughton,*' a gentleman of some chemical and mechanical 
 skill, who, formerly a Lieut, in the Navy, turned his abilities 
 under a patent, to the more ancient and ill-smelted slags, in the 
 crushing,! mixing, and remelting of which he found ample 
 occupation, if not profit. The next firm which seated them- 
 selves there were Messrs. Usborne, Benson, and Co., which 
 shortly mutated into Benson, Logan,J and Co., from whom 
 they passed, under a new lease for 21 years, in March, 184.5, 
 to the English Copper Company, but the latter having more 
 Works on hand than proved convenient or profitable, they 
 surrendered their lease up to the Duke of Beaufort, as 
 ground landlord, in 18 , and have, I believe, ever since 
 remained idle 
 
 To those engaged in Copper Smelting and its details, it 
 would scarcely be possible to supply more interesting matter for 
 comparison than the balance-sheets of the two Works, not 
 merely on account of the particulars which they contain, but 
 as both notice "the Swansea Copper Works," and that 
 in 1768 the Forest Works and Mills accounts were still 
 unclosed, and therefore most probably not at that time 
 completed. As in the previous sheet, so in these following, 
 the names of the partners, with their respective profits, are 
 distinctly set forth. 
 
 * Lt. N. Troughton died in 1844, and lies buried with his father and 
 mother, on the N. side of Oystermouth churchyard. 
 
 t The crushing down of the old slags for metalliferous purposes 
 caused them to be left in the state of a fine silicious sand ; with it and 
 Aberthaw lime, a valuable Cement was formed and largely used, I well 
 remember, in the Thames Tunnel. I am not aware that it was, however, 
 brought into very general use, for with the failure of the crushing, its 
 supply of sand fell off, 
 
 J Sir ~W. E. Logan, F.R.S., the eminent geologist in So, Wales and 
 Director of the Government Geological Surveys in Canada, G. G. F, 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 113 
 
 FOREST-COPPER WORKS, SWANSEA. 
 
 BALLANCES OF THE BOOKS OF THE CONCERNED, 
 
 TO THE 3 IST DECEMBER, 1768. 
 
 "DR. s. d. 
 
 To Copper Works, remaining as per inventory 9863 13 3 
 
 Coppersmiths' warehouse, old account 304 13 2 
 
 Copper ore remaining, p. 23531. i;c. 2q., in Cornwall... 15886 15 6 
 
 Gabriel Powell ... 9 3 8 
 
 Partners in Copper Mines at Inverniel 12 10 3 
 
 J. and J. Grey 900 
 
 Swansea Copper Works 4 12 7 
 
 Copper Works Building Account 2037 5 9 
 
 Penwern Estate 400 o o 
 
 Metals in London I9 8 J 9 4 
 
 Francis Wainwright 1344 J 9 3 
 
 James Laroche 5 11 I2 * 
 
 Voyage to Dublin 1531 15 7 
 
 The ' Plenty ' Sloop 43 
 
 Cash 115 5 8 
 
 William Cole 4* I2 
 
 Goods in hands of J. Laroche, p. 3t. lie. Iq. lOlbs. 
 
 *Rods, and 2t. Oc. 2q. lib. Manillas* 617 6 4 
 
 David Morgan 82 10 6 
 
 Goldney&Co 59 3 3 
 
 The ' Peace ' Sloop 43 
 
 Battery Mills W^orks Account 118910 3 
 
 Battered Copper in London p. 8t. 19c.2q. 19lbs. at ,122 109517 6 
 
 David Gwynne 3215 7 
 
 Trial for C'oal 4 l 
 
 East India Co 90/0 O 3 
 
 Shruff and Old Plate 345 4 4 
 
 Consignment to Vaughan & Co., p. 2t. Ic. 3q. 24lbs. 
 
 *Rods, and 4t. 12c. Oq. 13lbs. Manillas* 618 I 4 
 
 Joseph Tealing, Account Current 5 2 4 5 5 
 
 Joseph Tealing, Mill Account 226812 o 
 
 Joseph Tealing, Bond Account 1600 o o 
 
 Wm. Thoytes & Son 84 8 9 
 
 Fine Copper in London, p. Bowles 12t. 15c. 3q. 81bs. ; 
 
 Plates, 45t. oc. Iq. 141bs 6287 8 2 
 
 Carried forward ^57,o i8 3 3 
 
 * This was a special production of 1st quality Copper from Sweden, 
 much pnzed and imitated by English manufacturers ; particularly noted in 
 the 1 744 drawing of the ' White-Rock ' Wks. as a special Department, and 
 there figured 15. Manillas, in fact, were specially provided for the then 
 Slave Trade of Africa, and consisted of ' Rods ' and ' Manillas,' the former 
 being short pieces of Copper Wire 24 to 30 in. long, while the others 
 were cast m Bronze, not unlike small horse-shoes, weighing 2 or 3 oz. 
 each. They were exported in large quantities and much used on the 
 Coast as money or by way of barter. 
 
114 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 "DR. 
 
 s - d - 
 
 Brought forward 
 
 57,oi8 3 3 
 
 To Ember Mills 
 
 4000 o o 
 
 Executors of Robert Morris 
 
 283 15 o 
 
 ,, Bills remitted us 
 
 1346 7 ii 
 
 ,, W. Kihman 
 
 35 13 i 
 
 ,, Coppersmiths' Warehouse, New Account ... 
 ,, Battery Mills Building Account 
 
 94U 7 
 562 o 7 
 
 Edward Taylor 
 
 1036 4 i 
 
 Arth. Scaife 
 
 232 o o 
 
 ,, Forest Forge-Iron Account 
 
 2096 7 8 
 
 ,, Copper Hoops 
 ,, J. Bristow 
 
 780 o 3 
 70 19 4 
 
 J. Chamberlain 
 
 35 19 4 
 
 
 76,908 ii i" 
 
 CR. 
 
 s- d. 
 
 By John Lockwood, Account in Company 
 ,, Executors of R. Morris do. 
 
 4500 o o 
 375 
 
 ,, H. Groom do. 
 
 2250 o o 
 
 ,, C. Maydwell do. 
 
 3000 o o 
 
 ,. D. Webb do. 
 
 3000 o o 
 
 ,, J. and T. Lockwood do. 
 
 6000 o o 
 
 E. Eliot do. 
 
 5250 o o 
 
 ,, Rev. E. Lockwood do. 
 
 1500 o o 
 
 E. Gibbon do. 
 
 750 o o 
 
 , , John Lockwood, Account Current 
 
 5195 13 II 
 
 , Executors of R. Morris do. 
 
 9394 3 o 
 
 , H. Gibbon do. 
 
 158 4 6 
 
 , C. Maydwell do. 
 
 2798 5 i 
 
 , D. Webb do. 
 
 4499 o o 
 
 , J. and T. Lockwood do. 
 , E. Eliot do. 
 
 557 9 6 
 993 15 2 
 
 , Rev. E. Lockwood do. 
 
 ioq 9 8 
 
 , Edward Gibbon do. 
 
 52 14 10 
 
 , Thomas Lockwood 
 
 3435 16 8 
 
 , Sir Roger Newdigate & Co. in trust 
 
 8106 ii 4 
 
 , Desperate Debts 
 
 116 4 i 
 
 , Giles Creed 
 
 23 10 o 
 
 , Duke of Beaufort 
 
 232 17 3 
 
 , John Pidcock 
 
 46 4 o 
 
 , Cath. Bevan 
 
 3395 13 5 
 
 , Bills drawn on us 
 
 4619 13 6 
 
 , Executors of W. Okenden , 
 
 33 6 8 
 
 , M. Vaughan 
 
 18 7 10 
 
 , J. Vaughan 
 
 o 10 o 
 
 
 1050 o o 
 
 , Cath. Lockwood 
 
 1575 
 
 London, I4th April* 1769, ^7 6 ,9o8 n i 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 115 
 
 "We do hereby acknowledge to have examined the several Accounts 
 from which this Ballance of our Books is drawn from 3ist December, 1767, 
 to 1768, and we find there has been a profit of two thousand, one hundred 
 and nine pounds, thirteen shillings and twopence, in that year upon our 
 joint capital stock of Thirty thousand pounds, which is divided according 
 to our respective shares, and carried to the credit of our particular 
 Accounts." 
 
 "John Lockwood for 6-40 Shares. 
 
 As Executors to Robert Morris, Esq., 
 
 Robert Morris, aud John Morris* for 5-40 Shares. 
 
 By order of Hester Gibbon, John Lockwood for 3-40 Shares. 
 
 By order of Cutts Maydwell, John Lockwood for 4-40 Shares. 
 
 By order of Daniel Webb, John Lockwood for 4-40 Shares. 
 
 John Lockwood, Thomas Lockwood for 8-40 Shares. 
 
 Edward Eliot for 7-40 Shares. 
 
 " Balance Account of Copper Works Partnership, Anno 1768. 
 
 Profit divided 2109 13 2 
 
 Commission charged 67714 6 
 
 2,787 7 
 
 We gradually find ourselves in the nineteenth century, 
 but must nevertheless return to its predecessor; for the 
 success of the early venturers on the western side of 
 the Tawe evidently drew attention to the like suitability of 
 the Foxhole district, at the foot of Kilvey on the eastern 
 bank of the river, enriched as it was from the same Coal field. 
 
 In chronological order, then, the establishment which falls 
 next to be described is that called 
 
 THE 'WHITE-ROCK' COPPER WORKS. 
 Mr. Oldisworth, in 1802, in his Swansea Guide, says, 
 "North-east of the canal is 'White Rock,' a hill, rendered 
 barren by the sulphurous influence of the neighbouring 
 Copper Works ; this place was one of those which felt the 
 shock of the great Earthquake on the ist Nov., 1755." 
 They were built on lands leased by the last Lord Mansell, in 
 
 *The second sonof Robert and the first Baronet of Clasemont, Glam. (1806.) 
 
 I 2 
 
116 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 1746,* to Thomas Coster and partners, which matter I prefer 
 to give when I come to speak of the ' Middle-Bank ' Works, 
 also situated on the banks of the Tawe, above though east of 
 Swansea Town. ' The White Rock ' Works eventually passed 
 into the hands of the Messrs. Daniel and others, of Bristol, 
 better known in the Trade as Messrs. Jno. Freeman and 
 Copper Co. They also had Rolling and Battery Mills on the 
 Avon, a few miles above Bristol, at the time when this Firm 
 ceased to exist, Mr. Keates says ; a partner of theirs, Mr 
 Stanley Percevall, represented the firm in Liverpool, doubtless 
 a descendant of the original holder named by Mr. Phillips in 
 his dedication of the ' Prospect.' The W T orks were for a long 
 series of years under the able management of Mr. Elias 
 Jenkins, of Tyrgwl, Kylvey, who, indeed, was the resident 
 partner down to the year 1850. After his death Mr 
 Edward Brown became so till about the year 1853, when 
 they were purchased by their great neighbours of ' Morfa 
 and ' Hafod,' Messrs. Williams and Vivian, who still retain 
 them under a lease from the Earl of Jersey : Messrs. Vivian's 
 portion having since been converted into a Silver-lead Works 
 Notwithstanding the authorities of 1802 and 7, I am for- 
 tunate in being able to produce matter of much original 
 interest, through finding a drawing in Indian ink by an artist 
 of great skill, dated 1744, which I hereto annex for the 
 information of my readers, which having the imprimatur of 
 Mr. Phillips,! ma 7 be accepted as most worthy evidence 
 of the form and description that could be obtained of 
 Copper Works of the past century. 
 
 * Dr. Malkin, writing in 1807, states that "about the year 1730, or not 
 much sooner, the First Copper Works were erected on the eastern side 01 
 the river, and it was not till about 1760 anything additional took place." 
 
 t " To Messrs. Joseph Percevall and Company, this New Prospect ot 
 your Copper Works at 'White-Rock,' (Swansey) is with all due respect 
 inscribed by your obliged Friend and Servant, 
 
 RICHARD PHILLIPS," 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 117 
 
 1. Part of Middle Bank. 12. The Compting House. 
 
 2. Mansell's Field. I 13. The Store House. 
 
 3. The Mount. 14. The Quay. 
 
 4. An Old Mill. j 15. The Manilla House &Pay Office 
 
 5. The Pond. i 16. The Carpenters' Shop. 
 
 6. The Slag Bank. 17. The Clay Mill and Stamps. 
 
 7. The Great Coal Road. ! 18. The entrance of the Dock. 
 
 8. The Great Calciner. 19. Mansell's Coal Yard. 
 
 9. The Four New Smelters. 20. The Quarry. 
 
 10. The Four New Calciners. \ 21. Edward Jones's House. 
 
 1 1. The Great Work House. 
 
 Fecit, Yr. 1744." 
 
 The success of Coster's Works at ' White-Rock appears 
 to have induced a further outlay in that direction, for 
 Mr. Chauncey Townsend,* who had previously opened and 
 worked large collieries near Gwernllwynwith, took a lease of 
 the Hon. Louisa Barbara Mansell, in 1755, of ground, 
 whereon he built Furnaces and Refineries, then and now 
 known as 
 
 THE 'MIDDLE-BANK' COPPER WORKS, 
 the origin of which is so satisfactorily set forth in a private 
 Act of Parliament, obtained in 1767, that I have pleasure in 
 giving somewhat fully the particulars from 
 
 XXII. 
 
 An Act for confirming a Lease made by the Honourable Louisa 
 Barbara Mansell, to Chansey Townsend, Esquire, dated 
 ist September, 1755, and for Granting a new Lease thereof: 
 
 * " Mr. Chauncey Townsend was an important man in London, and 
 an Alderman of the City. He first leased the Birchgrove collieries of 
 Mrs. Morgan, and shipped coal at 'White Rock,' whither they were 
 conveyed on horses backs in bags. He originated the Coal trade on 
 Kilvey side of Tawe. C. T.'s daughter m. Mr. Jno. Smith of the 
 Draper's Hall, Lon., who thus acquired the Gwernllwnwyth leasehold 
 property, which he left to his sons Charles and Henry, jointly, and through 
 them it has descended to the late C. H. Smith, Esq., who was a son of 
 Chas. Smith, and m. the d. of Sir Geo. Leeds, Bart." Mr. Townsend 
 is stated to have been M.P. for Westbury, in the List of Subscribers to 
 Thos. Richard's Welsh Dictionary, i vol. 8vo., 1753. DD. ROWLAND, 
 
118 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 The Act is dated in 1767, the said Louisa Barbara having between 1755 
 and 1767 married the Hon. George Venables Vernon.* 
 
 The Act recites "That there are Mines of Coal under the Estates in 
 Glamorganshire, belonging to the said Mansell family, and it is of great 
 advantage to the owner of such estates to encourage manufactures 
 for the consumption of such coal, and therefore the said Louisa 
 Barbara Mansell did agree to grant a lease, to Chansey Townsend, for 
 the purpose of building divers Works, for carrying on the business of 
 Smelting, refining, and making Copper Ore into Copper, in the process 
 of which great quantities of coal must necessarily be used and con- 
 sumed, and in order to promote the same (which the said Louisa Barbara, 
 upon mature consideration and advice, was well satisfied would be of 
 great benefit to the said estates) the said Louisa Barbara agreed to 
 allow, and did pay the sum of six hundred pounds towards the making 
 and erecting such works as aforesaid, and the said Louisa Barbara did, 
 in pursuance of the said agreement, execute a lease as aforesaid, in the 
 words following, that is to say: 
 
 This Indenture, made the ist of September, 1755, 
 between the Hon Louisa Barbara Mansell and 
 Chansey Townsend, Esquire, witnesseth, &c. 
 The Act goes on to state that, the said Louisa Barbara had 
 demised and to farm let to the said Chansey Townsend, his 
 exors., admors., and assigns, the parcel of ground known by 
 the name of * The Middle Bank,' containing about four acres, 
 with some other parcels of land thereunto adjoining, with 
 full authority for the said Chansey Townsend, his exors., 
 admors., and assigns, to build on the said premises any 
 houses, edifices, or buildings, for carrying on the work or 
 business of Smelting and Refining of Copper or other 
 metals, and secures to the said Chansey Townsend certain 
 powers and privileges as shall be necessarily wanted for the 
 purpose, but so as not to interrupt, injure, or incommode the 
 proprietors of certain Copper Works now erected at or near 
 ' White Rock,' held by lease made the 2nd day of March. 
 
 * George, second Lord Vernon, who succeeded his father, was born 
 9th May, 1/35, and died i8th June, 1813, having married first (i6th July, 
 1757) Hon. Louisa Barbara, sole daughter and heiress of Bussey, last 
 Lord Mansel: she died without surviving issue, in 1786. Lodge's 
 Peerage, p. 503. 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 119 
 
 1746, by the late Lord Mansell, to Thomas Coster and others, 
 It also grants certain other parcels of land, at the yearly rent of 35 
 shillings, and other lands, containing in the whole about 15 acres, and 
 other lands containing about 3 acres, with liberty to dig earth and clay 
 for making bricks for the purpose of making the same new intended 
 Copper Smelting and refining Houses, the whole for the term of ninety- 
 nine years, if the said Chansey Townsend, and James Townsend, and 
 Joseph Townsend, his sons, if any or all of them should so long live, 
 paying yearly the rent of three pounds five shillings for the same. 
 The said- Chansey Townsend undertakes within four years from the 
 date of said lease to build one new Smelting House for smelting 
 and refining of Copper, and expend on such buildings two thousand 
 pounds at the least, and the said Chansey Townsend doth covenant 
 that he, his exors., admors., and assigns, at all tunes during the 
 continuance of the time hereby demised, burn and use, in the said 
 intended Copper Works, such coals as shall be raised under the lands 
 of the said Louisa Barbara Mansell only, and no other coals, so long as 
 such coals can be raised from the said Louisa Barbara ManselTs lands, 
 in the parish of Llansamlet, which coals are now raised and worked by 
 the said Chansey Townsend and his assigns, under a lease bearing the 
 date 7th Nov., 1750, to him made by the late Lord Mansell, or from 
 other collieries, in other parishes, from other lands of the said Louisa 
 Barbara Mansell. 
 
 To this gentleman also was granted for the Lord of 
 Kilvey by Elizth. Duchess of Beaufort, a lease dated 2oth 
 June, 1757, of all brooks, streams, and currents of water 
 known as Claise and Nant Brane, with full liberty to him to 
 cut such courses and channels as he should see fit to cut, 
 make, and dig upon, thro' and over the waste of the said 
 Duke known as Pen-yr-Rusva, and also through enclosed 
 lands of the said Duke known as Gwyndy* bach and 
 Caerwern Vawr, being in the Parish of Llansamlet and the 
 Manor of Kilvey, for the use and working of any engines the 
 said Chancey Townsend may erect for draining any waters 
 hurtful to any Coal works he the said Chancey may set up 
 for the use of collieries under lands of Geo. Venables Vernon, 
 Esq., and Mary Morgan, Widow, in the Parish of Llansamlet, 
 for conveying the said waters for the use of the New Works 
 
 * Where the Roman remains were found in the year 1835. Vide 
 "Cam.," 10 Mar., '36. G.Q.F, 
 
120 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 lately erected for the smelting and refining of Copper by the 
 said Chancey Townsend and his partners, at a certain place 
 called ' Middle Dock,' or for the use of any works he or they 
 may erect in the said Parish and Manor, for the manufacture 
 of the said Copper, to hold the same for 99 years, at the 
 yearly rent of /'zi, clear of all deduction, &c., &c.* 
 
 One old John Cornelius (living near Foxhole, in June, 
 1867) said in reference to the ' Middle Bank' Works. 
 
 ' My Grandfather came there first to work as a smelter in the 
 Lead Works at ' Upper Bank,' from Sir Jno. Morris's Brass- 
 Wire Works in Morriston. He (my G. father) died between 
 1780-86. The Brass-Wire Works were called John Bevan's 
 Wks., after the name of the manager, at that time.' 
 
 * Chansey Townsend and Jno. Smith (who married Miss 
 Townsend) had Lead Mines at Pengored, nr. Lechred, in 
 Cardiganshire, and they had an interest in the Lead Works 
 at ' Upper Bank.' This Mr. J. Smith dying at Bath, was 
 brought down to Gwernllwnwyth, and buried at Lansamlet 
 Church on a Lord's Day, abt. the year 1798.' 
 
 'There was then a Spelter Works where Mr. Grenfell's 
 rolling mill stands at present : one Mr. Brazel was its 
 manager and perhaps part owner too. These works were 
 very compact ; they contained 3 conical furnaces, and were 
 commenced before the ' Upper Bank ' Works were converted 
 into Copper Works. Some English Workmen came with 
 Mr. Brazel, and many Welshmen, one of them, I remember, 
 was called Smith, and he had sons and daughters who were 
 all employed with him in the Spelter Works. Amongst the 
 Welsh, I recollect David John, Wm. Howell, Thos. Jones, 
 and others. After Mr. Brazel, one Mr. Cox succeeded him, 
 and in the interval the works were suspended, and it fell into 
 a like fate when Mr. Cox left.' 
 
 *Ex Gabl. Powell's orig. survey of Gower and Kilvey, folio 1/64, in 
 possession of the author, page 134. 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 121 
 
 ' Then came Mr. Catherall, from Flintshire, who made Fire 
 bricks as well as Spelter : Mr. Morgan was the agent of the 
 works in Cox's time, and a Mr. Lewis was afterwards agent 
 in the ' Middle-Bank ' Works/ 
 
 ' My Uncle, Wm. Harris, was his successor in the ' Middle 
 Bank,' and left the employ and the then Master (Doyley) 
 remained to be his own manager at Penclawdd/ 
 
 The above I copied from written notes taken down 
 specially for me from John Cornelius himself, by the Rev. E. 
 Thomas, of Kilvey, who says that Cornelius had a very 
 retentive and excellent memory for details. 
 
 With the ' Middle-Bank ' Works were generally held those 
 
 called 
 
 THE ' UPPER-BANK ' COPPER WORKS, 
 
 being conveniently placed for joint management. Towards 
 the end of the last century, however, the latter were in 
 possession of Thomas Williams, Esq., M.P., of Anglesey, in 
 connection with whose name I cannot do better than give an 
 account of the then state of the "Copper Trade" as placed 
 by him before a Committee of the House of Commons^ 
 on the 2oth of April, 1799. He gave evidence that "It was 
 not until the latter end of the last century that Copper Ore was 
 discovered in Great Britain, and soon after this discovery, in 
 1691, a Charter was granted to Sir Joseph Herne and others,* 
 merchants in London, who were incorporated as a Company 
 for the purpose of refining and purifying Copper, under the 
 Firm and Title of ' The Governor and Company of Copper 
 Miners in England.' In 1694, a copper coinage took place at 
 the Mint, and the Government paid is. 6d. per Ib. for copper 
 
 * See the details relating thereto in the earlier pages .of this volume, 
 which shew clearly that even Mr. Williams was ignorant of what had been 
 effected by the first settlers in Glamorganshire, at Xeath, in the time of 
 Queen Elizabeth, Customer Smythe and his trustworthy manager, 
 Ulrick Frosse, 
 
123 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 of fine Swedish produce. In 1 7 1 7, a further coinage took place 
 of 700 tons of English copper, at the price of isjd. per Ib. 
 In 1702 the first 'Brass Works' at Bristol were erected. 
 So late as 1750, Copper tea-kettles, saucepans, and the like, 
 were imported from Holland. In 1 73 1 the East India Company 
 began exporting Copper in cakes, but in 1751 they exported it 
 manufactured, paying 135 6s. 8d. per ton. In 1673 new 
 mines had been found in Derbyshire and in Wales, so that the 
 price of Copper through these discoveries gradually fell, in 
 1781, to 79 per ton for cash. It was in this year also that a 
 great competition took place at the India House between 
 the Cornish copper and the Anglesea copper, the former 
 sacrificing ^"25,000 to keep the Anglesea copper out of the 
 market ! " 
 
 In his day, this gentleman (Mr. T. Williams, M.P.) was 
 held to be the leading man in the Trade, and was 
 largely interested in the great Anglesey mines, which 
 made such huge fortunes for their lucky holders. Mr. 
 Williams having joined the Stanley Smelting Company, a 
 new lease was granted by the Earl of Jersey (who had recently 
 succeeded to the Britonferry estates of the Mansells) to 
 Owen Williams, son of Thomas, and Pascoe Grenfell, 
 Esquires, in 1803. So the works continued, until the part- 
 nership of Williams and Grenfell ceased, about the year 1825 
 or 26, the whole merging in the Grenfell family alone ; to 
 whom Lord Jersey, in 1828, granted a new lease for 99 years. 
 For many years the conduct of these extensive establishments 
 of ' Upper ' and * Middle Bank/ first built and managed by 
 Mr. J. B. Smith, devolved upon Mr. Pascoe St. L. Grenfell,* 
 who, living at Maesteg House, near by, gave all the advan- 
 
 * Under the Volunteering of the Kingdom, in 1859-60, Mr. Grenfell 
 raised two Companies at their Works, of which he became the Captain- 
 Commandant and eventually Colonel. At first, they wore grey with dark 
 green facings and silver mounts, but afterwards, when consolidated with 
 the Margam and other county Corps, wore scarlet. The Corps itself was 
 enrolled as the 6th Glamorganshire Rifle Volunteers. G. G. F, 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 123 
 
 tages (especially) to those employed, which ever results from 
 a liberal resident management. 
 
 It would be ungracious to pass from these Works without 
 stating that it was here that Mr. Geo. Fred. Muntz, M.P. for 
 Birmingham, completed and carried out his important inven- 
 tion in the manufacture of the brass sheathing and bolts, so 
 well known and extensively used under the name of " Muntz' s, 
 or Yellow Metal."* 
 
 This Metal having been extensively used by the mercantile 
 marine of the whole world, has lately been adopted by our 
 Admiralty for the Royal Navy : and further, I desire to notice 
 that an effort was made here to benefit the neighbourhood 
 (utterly devastated as had been the western surface of Kilvey) 
 by the promotion of "GurltVf plan for the consumption 
 of the Smoke, and so arrest its exit from the chimneys. 
 
 The attempt, I regret to have to say, has utterly failed ; and 
 so we are left to hope for the complete success of Gerstenhofer's 
 plans at ' the Hafod,' the only one at present successfully carried 
 out for the suppression of the ' Copper Smoke Nuisance/ due 
 entirely to the capital and energy of Mr. H. H. Vivian, M.P. 
 for Glamorgan, his co-partners and relatives. 
 
 Before stepping into the igth century, there are several 
 other Works which ought to be noticed as having existed 
 at a prior period, but having failed to ascertain the exact 
 dates I must take them at hap-hazard for relative position, 
 leaving it to time and further opportunity to secure precision 
 in these respects. 
 
 * Mr. P. St. L. Grenfell told me that in practice he had found that 
 ' best selected Copper' 60, and Zinc 40, made very excellent Yellow metal. 
 
 f In reply to an enquiry, Mr. Grenfell, under date of loth August, 
 1868, wrote me word that, " Gurlt's process is a failure. We have 
 tried some little modifications of it, with partial success, but not enough 
 to warrant any great outlay to carry it out." G. G. F. 
 
124 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 THE < CHEADLE '-COPPER WORKS. 
 
 I have been unable to trace the origin of these Works on 
 the Neath river, further than that they were erected some 
 time in the middle of the last century, through the agency of 
 persons who were at the time interested in similar Works at 
 Cheadle, in Staffordshire. 
 
 Mr. John Place, writing from the ' Mines Royal ' Works, 
 Neath, on the 8th May, 1797,* says: 'Mr. Weaver, a partner 
 of Roe and Co., of the Cheadle Works, is here.' And, in 
 1803, I find the Rev. J. Evans, in his * Welsh Tours,' gives 
 Roe and Co. as a then existing Copper Smelting firm in Wales. 
 
 The Neath Abbey Iron Co., who have latterly occupied the 
 old Cheadle premises, on the north of the road to Neath, are 
 unable to say when they were disused for ' Copper smelting,' 
 though they do say that, it was prior to the commencement of 
 their own works, which as such were started in 1824 or 5. 
 
 Mr. D. Howell Morgan, lately Mayor of Neath, informs me 
 that " Mr. Keates, now of ' St. Helen's ' Copper Wks., Lane., 
 succeeded a Dr. Plumb in the management of the ' Neath 
 Cheadle ' Works, and remained there until the bottoms of the 
 furnaces were broken up and sold," which is confirmed by 
 Mr. Keates himself, who writes, "that all remnants not suit- 
 able for removal to Cheadle, were sold to Vivian and Sons in 
 the year i82i."f 
 
 In 1812, a penny Token in copper was issued and made 
 payable at "London, Cheadle, and Neath" by "The 
 Cheadle Copper and Brass Company" (vide Appendix 35), 
 which must rather tend to upset the notion of the Abbey 
 Works Co. that the Cheadle were not then at work on the 
 banks of Neath river. 
 
 * See p. 55, ante. 
 
 f Mr. Keates tells me it is within his memory that the Cheadle Works 
 occupied them from 1809 to 1821, <j. G. F, 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 125 
 
 THE ' CROWN '-COPPER WORKS, 
 
 also on the Neath, were certainly in use within the last 
 century, and were erected by a Birmingham firm for which a 
 copper Token of one Penny was also struck. It had the 
 device of a Crown Royal in the field, and was dated 1811, 
 issued by the ' Crown Copper Company,' and made payable 
 at ' Birmingham and Neath' (vide Appendix, No. 25). 
 
 For many years these works had been in the hands of Messrs. 
 Williams, Foster and Co. under a lease from Lord Dynevor, 
 but which in 1866 passed into the hands of Messrs. Moore, 
 Thomas and others, who after reducing some 20 tons of ore to 
 metal and holding possession for a few weeks, abandoned their 
 taking, when the works again reverted to the landowner, Lord 
 Dynevor, who subsequently leased them to a Company styling 
 themselves the Laxey Neath Co., who converted part of the 
 Works into Zinc Works. The whole since came to be taken 
 up by Mr. Humby, of Bath (who now also holds the Rhondda 
 Neath Coke Works), who, however, has never worked them. 
 
 In Lord Dynevor's Estate Act, 1837, I nnc ^ *hat tnere a P~ 
 pears in the Schedule : " Crown Copper Works, comprising 
 several quantities of pasture land and garden ground ; Crown 
 Copper Co., 45a. ir. 6p., ^55 os. od." 
 
 THE 'PENCLAWDD' COPPER WORKS. 
 ' I believe,' writes Mr. Keates, ' that the Copper Works 
 at " Penclawdd " were commenced by John Vivian, in con- 
 junction with the Company,' and, in Mar., 1869, he further 
 wrote to me saying that, "I was quite a boy when the 
 Cheadle Co. and old Mr. John Vivian gave up Copper 
 Smelting at Penclawdd. I am sorry that I never ascertained 
 from my Father when they began, or what was the exact nature 
 of the connexion between the two parties. My impression 
 however, is, that Mr. Vivian bought ores in Cornwall, for 
 the Cheadle Co.'s account, but I have a notion also, that 
 
126 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 he was ultimately interested in the Smelting of them 
 likewise. / know that the Cheadle Co. were buyers of Ores 
 in Cornwall for Penclawdd, previous to the year 1798, but 
 do not know how long before that date.' 
 
 Some Penclawdd people assure me that the place was 
 called the Park-House, and that one Mr. Doyley had the 
 ' Penclawdd original works ' prior to the arrival of Mr. John 
 Vivian; he, Doyley, is said by old Cornelius to have gone 
 to them from 'Middle Bank' Copper Works, where he 
 remembered him in full swing. 
 
 Those on the south side of the river Loughor in Gower, were 
 originally known as the ' Kent-house ' Lead Works, and they 
 were converted from Lead to Copper-smelting under the 
 auspices of the first of the Vivian family who came from Truro, 
 it is said, somewhere about 1 800 to represent the ' Associated 
 Miners of Cornwall,' who had an idea that the value of their ores 
 was not paid to them by the smelters (a view by the way, which 
 has prevailed from that day to this), and who therefore opened 
 the Penclawdd Copper Works on their joint account, charging 
 a commission for smelting according, as they averred, to the 
 real outlay. Be that as it may, it was soon found not to answer 
 on general account; but the managing partner, Mr. John 
 Vivian, had proved to his own satisfaction that Copper 
 Smelting was a worthy and profitable occupation, and, astute 
 man as he was, he sent his second son, John Henry, to the 
 Mining Schools of Germany to fit him for the work, and 
 having found a suitable site for new works, with an ample sup- 
 ply of Coal of the proper quality and price, at ' Hafod ' on the 
 Swansea river, land was there taken of the Duke of Beaufort 
 and Lord Jersey, in 1810, in the names of Richard Hussey 
 and John Henry Vivian, Esqrs., and those works were 
 constructed, which have since obtained such a deserved 
 world-wide reputation of them, however, by and bye 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 127 
 
 Between Hafod and Forest, on the western side of Swansea 
 or Tawe river, and at the foot of the sloping ground towards 
 Morriston, within gunshot of each other, will be found ' The 
 Landore,' ' The Rose,' and ' The Birmingham ' Copper Works, 
 which were certainly all established and in work at the end 
 of the last, and the beginning of the present century. I have, 
 however, been completely baffled in my efforts so far, to 
 discover the exact period of their individual erection. 
 
 Commencing then with 
 
 *THE BIRMINGHAM' COPPER WORKS, 
 
 Which appear to have been built for a Company calling itself 
 " the Birmingham Mining and Copper Company," and from 
 Halfpenny Tokens which it issued in 1791 and '92, "payable 
 at Birmingham, Redruth and Swansea," it may be inferred 
 that miners and smelters were acting harmoniously together 
 the device on the coins assists the idea, for a placid female is 
 seated on a rock holding a fasces in her hand types of 
 strength and union : but, as another like token was issued in 
 1793, without being payable at Swansea,* I fear the presumed 
 amity was not of long standing : the works,f however, were 
 continued till 183 1 or thereabouts, when they were closed, and 
 so remained, until purchased by the Williams's and Vivians, 
 which latter firm eventually obtained sole possession and 
 converted them some years ago into Spelter Works for the 
 reduction of zinc ores, to which use they are still devoted by 
 the firm of Vivian & Sons. 
 
 * The reverse of all these Coins has the field occupied by a Heron or 
 Liver standing on a cornua full of flowers the heraldic device of Liver- 
 pool City. G. G. F. 
 
 t At the beginning of this century, Timothy Smith and Jno. Dickenson 
 of Birmingham, were chief proprietors of the Birmingham Copper Works. 
 
 D. ROWLAND* 
 
128 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 THE 'ROSE' COPPER WORKS* 
 
 which were in the hands of a Birmingham firm in 1803, (and 
 in 1812 issued a Token for one penny, vide Appendix No. 38) 
 are to us chiefly interesting as being the scene of the first 
 smelting operations of the now important firm of Williams, 
 Foster and Co., which commenced its Manufacturing career 
 at the ' Rose'f about the year 1830, first as, Grenfell Williams 
 and Fox,J then Grenfell withdrew and Foster came in, and 
 lastly Fox retired and the partners came to be, as just stated, 
 the well-known firm of Williams, Foster and Co., for whom, 
 perhaps, I cannot do better than shew the appreciation of the 
 public, by quoting the final departure of one of their leading 
 Members as given by the Cambrian, of ist April, 1870 : 
 
 THE LATE SIR W. WILLIAMS, BART., 
 OF TREGULLOW, CORNWALL. 
 
 The funeral of this gentleman took place in March, 1870, and 
 excited great interest among the mining population of Cornwall, who 
 lose in him a long-tried and generous friend. The late Baronet 
 was the last surviving son of Mr. John Williams, who by energy 
 and perseverance had risen from a station little above that of a practical 
 miner to be a large owner both of mines and land throughout the County. 
 The sons inherited all the father's industry, and, starting of course where 
 he left off, realised enormous fortunes, and have taken for many years a 
 very leading part in Cornish affairs. Sir William's brother, Mr. Michael 
 Williams, of Trevince and Caerhayes Castle, was M.P. for West Cornwall 
 from 1853 to his death in 1858, and during that time a principal 
 authority in the House of Commons upon mining affairs. Sir William 
 himself, who was created a Baronet in 1866, was, according to the 
 Western Morning News 
 
 High-sheriff of Cornwall in 1851, and at the time of his death was 
 deputy-lieutenant and magistrate for Cornwall, a deputy-warden of the 
 
 * As we have already shewn at p. 77, these works, so far as a name can 
 shew it, were probably in existence as early as 1795. Unless, indeed, we 
 may take this smelting for the Company, as rather indicating that the ante 
 Works were not then built or ready for use. 
 
 f Early in the igth century, Mr. Thos. Bigg (a quaker gentleman) was 
 manager at the Rose Works. D. ROWLAND. 
 
 J Mr. Keates writes, 'Williams, Foster and Company commenced 
 smelting in 1823, and not in 1830.' / however got the date 1830, from 
 their agent at Morfa, G. G. F* 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 129 
 
 Stannaries, and chairman of the East Kinder Highway Board. About 
 seven years since he retired from partnership in the well-known Copper 
 Company of Williams, Foster, and Co. He was the senior partner in the 
 firms of Williams, Harvey, and Co., tin smelters, Truro ; Williams's 
 Portreath Co., coal merchants ; Williams's Perran Co., timber and guano 
 merchants ; and Williams's Perran Foundry Co., founders. He was also 
 a partner in the Cornish Bank at Truro, Redruth, Falmouth, and Penryn ; 
 and in the firm of Williams and Sons, Tregullow Office, Scorrier. As a 
 mining adventurer he was justly celebrated, having large interests in the 
 Tirony and Cloncbanc sulphur mines in Wicklow ; Nanthwyn lead mines, 
 Wales ; in the mines in the Gwennap district, Cornwall ; and holding 
 moreover three-fourths of the Clifford Amalgamated Mines, with the 
 greater portion of Dolcoath. He also held a large portion of the Cook's 
 Kitchen, Cam Brea, South Crofty, and West Basset interests. 
 
 During the distress in the Copper trade, a few years since, Sir William 
 was one of the greatest friends to the Miners, and sacrificed large sums 
 of money to keep concerns going through any period of temporary depres- 
 sion. His charities were also very large in North Devon, where he owned 
 very considerable landed property. The deceased Baronet is succeeded 
 by his eldest son, now Sir Frederick Martin Williams, who is the Con- 
 servative M.P. for Truro (1870). Another son is also in the House of 
 Commons as M.P. for Barnstaple, Devon. 
 
 In connection with the Rose Works various tokens were 
 issued; in 1811, pence and halfpence in copper were struck 
 and inscribed ' Rose Copper Company, Birmingham and 
 Swansea.' In the following year a penny only was issued, 
 with a rose in the field ; while on the obverse side a lion 
 rampant exhibits a shield with the same sweet emblem ; but 
 why this device or name was adopted no one seems well able 
 to explain ; it certainly did not typify * the locale? but it may 
 have the color of the metal if it did, it was I think a rather 
 far-fetched idea for any such English metal. 
 
 THE 'LANDORE' COPPER WORKS. 
 
 It is not clear, from Evans, what Company in 1803 were 
 possessed of these premises: from Wood, in 1811, we learn, 
 however, that they were worked by "The British Copper 
 Company,"* and this is confirmed by three very fine penny 
 
 * May, 1869. Passing up the Thames, I noticed that a sign over the 
 offices of Messrs. Williams, Foster & Co., was headed, in gilt letters, 
 " British Copper Company." G. G. F, 
 
 K 
 
130 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 Copper Tokens dated 1812 and 1813. (See Appendix No. 
 39.) There is also a half-penny with 1813 in the exergue, 
 a lion of precisely the same type in the field, and on the 
 reverse within an oak-wreath, Britannia seated, all evidently 
 betokening the word * British ' in the title of the Company. 
 About 1825 or 26, these works were in the hands of Mr. 
 Henry Bath, senr., and Mr. R. J. Nevill, with the name of 
 * Henry Bath and Co.,' and so continued with the manage- 
 ment of Mr. J. Penrose and Mr. Letcher down to 1834. The 
 Works were eventually purchased in 1 8 by Messrs. Williams, 
 Foster and Co., and still remain in their hands, conveniently 
 situated for their Rolling mills and offices at Morfa,' near 
 by. They have all on the obverse the device of a lion passant, 
 in the field; that of the 1812 issue has the face nearly full, 
 while the other two types are three-quarter, and surrounded 
 by the sentence ' Rolling Mills at Walthamstow.' The reverses 
 are all alike enriched with a wreath of oak encircling the 
 words 'British Copper Company,' surrounded by 'Smelting 
 Works at Landore.' 
 
 The great output of Slag at the several works, which from 
 its semi-metallic lustre and great density had given an idea of 
 riches yet to be won from it, induced much chemical research 
 and the erection of 
 
 THE ' NANT RYD Y VILAIS ' WORKS, 
 
 at Landore, on the brook of its name, to the north of the 
 Tin-plate Works of the late G. B. Morris and Co. They 
 were air furnaces of an exceptional character, neither for 
 Copper nor Iron, and yet for both. They were established 
 by the Bevans, of Morriston, about 1814, in the hope of ex- 
 tracting some copper from the slags which it was supposed 
 had not been smelted with sufficient care, and for getting 
 out the iron which was known to form a proportion of at least 
 50 per cent, of the slag itself. 
 
 The result was a scientific success, but though a little 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 131 
 
 copper was reclaimed, and bar iron was rolled out at the 
 mills, it was found impossible to "weld" it, and so, the 
 article being unmarketable, the proprietors came to grief, 
 the works were closed, and the question 'How to extract 
 a marketable Iron from the millions of tons of ore in 
 the form of slag in the Swansea District' has yet to be 
 accomplished ! Does NATURE really not afford a material 
 which when scientifically compounded, shall expel the 
 obnoxious, and produce the requisite facile of chemical 
 coincidence to a useful and practical result ? 
 
 This Company of Nantrydyvilais issued a penny Copper 
 Token in 1813, No. 42 in Appendix, and so its name will be 
 perpetuated as having existed at that date, and as having 
 been ready to exchange its local coin either in " Morriston 
 or Swansea," where the chief partners resided. 
 
 I have been lately informed that in 1816 this firm were 
 founders of brass and iron, and were also makers of the edge 
 tools and shovels, at that time largely sold in the District. 
 
 The Rev. J. Evans, in his "Tours in South Wales," written 
 1803, and published the following year, says at p. 165: 
 "There are eight large Copper Houses in the vicinity of 
 Swansea,* the 
 
 ist The Brass Wire Works of Harford and Co. 
 
 2nd Those belonging to the Birmingham Mining Co. 
 
 3rd To the Birmingham Rose Co. 
 
 4th To Mr. R. Morris of Clasemont. 
 
 5th To Williams and Hughes. 
 
 6th To Freeman and Co. 
 
 7th To Mr. Williams, and the 
 
 8th To Roe and Co." 
 
 I do not see my way exactly to the proper appropriation of 
 these eight establishments. The ist were at * Forest,' for 
 Wood says so, and as may be seen a little further on ; the 2nd 
 * See page 78, ante, for the Smelters in 1798. 
 
 K 2 
 
132 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 is that still known as the ' Birmingham ' ; the 3rd as the ' Rose ' 
 Works ; the 4th, if taken as they lie on the river bank, should be 
 the ' Landore,' but I was not previously aware that Mr. Morris 
 had these in work ; the 5th was evidently the Anglesea 
 firm, the Williams (either Owen or Thomas) spoken of in 
 connection with 'Middle and Upper' Bank at p. 86, ante, but 
 then I can give them no works, for Freeman and Co. (No. 6) 
 had the ' White Rock/ and this would leave 7 as the last to be 
 appropriated to doubtless the ' Middle and Upper ' Bank ; 
 while Roe and Co., No. 8, never were at Swansea, but at 
 Neath: it is very possible, therefore, that Mr. Evans made 
 up his list from a Ticketing paper at Swansea, and there no 
 doubt they all appeared as buyers for their several Co.'s or 
 Works. 
 
 Wood, in his "Rivers of Wales,"* written in 1811, and 
 published in 1813, at p. 93 of the ist volume, writing of 
 Morriston, states, that it ' was begun by Mr. Morris, from 
 whom it takes its name, about the year 1768, and is now of 
 considerable extent and population. It has a Church and 
 some dissenting meeting houses. There are large Copper 
 Works at ' Forest,' belonging to Messrs. Harfords & Co., with 
 adjoining Rolling Mills, where a great deal of Copper has been 
 utilised for the use of the Navy. A little lower is a work 
 belonging to the ' Birmingham Mining ' Company, and near 
 that, another worked by the ' Rose ' Company. At Landwr, is 
 another worked by the * British ' Copper Company, and below 
 that a large one lately built by Messrs. Vivian & Co., at 
 ' Hafod,' in the construction of which a laudable attention has 
 been paid to the comfort and convenience of the workmen 
 by a different arrangement of the furnaces. On the Eastern 
 side of the river, are the ' Upper and Middle Bank ' Copper 
 
 * The book is enriched with several views of the Tawe, and the then 
 existing Copper Works on its banks, which are very interesting for 
 reference. 
 
AY GLAMORGANSHIRE. 133 
 
 Works, belonging to Messrs. O. Williams, P. Grenfell and 
 Co. ; and lower down, on the same side of the river, is a 
 larger work carried on by The 'Bristol* Company. This 
 " Bristol Company," I presume, meant Messrs. Daniels, of 
 that city and of The 'White Rock' Works, vide p. 82, ante. 
 I have two Tokens, penny and halfpenny, both dated 1 8 1 1 , 
 with the arms, crest, and motto of the City of Bristol ; on 
 the reverse " B. B. and Copper Co." in the field, surrounded 
 by the words " Penny (or Halfpenny) payable at Bristol,* 
 Swansea, and London." I am told these coins do not relate 
 to the White Rock Works, but to " The Bristol Brass and 
 Copper Co.," who were not smelters at Swansea, but buyers 
 only of metallic copper, which they rolled and manu- 
 factured at Bristol. If so, it is not clear to me why 
 "Swansea" was inserted, unless, indeed, the House may 
 have had an office and agency here. 
 
 We are, at length, fairly in the Nineteenth century, and 
 find ourselves once more able to deal with authenticated 
 dates. 
 
 At the beginning of this century there was evidently a 
 great disposition to construct works and invest capital in 
 connection with Copper Smelting. There was about the 
 trade itself something magnificent; the quantity of ores 
 produced from the Cornish and the Anglesey mines, the 
 latter in particular, was so large, the profit so ample, the rise 
 of modest men into nobles (as examplified in the case of 
 Hughes, Lord Dinorben), and the increase of wealth, by 
 those who were the fortunate holders of a comparatively few 
 acres of copper ore, so vast, that it produced the natural 
 result "a rush into the Copper trade" and hence the 
 erection of many Works at this period near those Coal 
 districts which it was supposed would best supply the proper 
 * Vide Appendix, Tokens, 28, 29. 
 
134 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 fuel for smelting at fair and reasonable charges, with certainty 
 
 of continuity of supply. 
 
 In the year 1805 a step was taken to the westward. At 
 Llanelly, in Carmarthenshire, on the banks of the river Burry, 
 Messrs. Daniel, of Cornwall, Savill of London, Guest of 
 Birmingham, and Nevill of Swansea and Birmingham, 
 selected a site and erected the works called 
 
 THE 'LLANELLY' COPPER WORKS,* 
 
 which have been successfully carried on by some of the 
 original folk or their representatives from that time to the 
 present day ; Mr. Charles W. Nevill remaining the able and 
 respected managing partner there. f 
 
 The example set on the west, by Llanelly, of leaving the 
 immediate neighbourhood of Swansea, seems to have been fol- 
 lowed on the extreme East of the South Wales Coal-Field ; for 
 the only Copper Works ever attempted in Monmouthshire, were 
 those erected in 1807, by the "Union Company," J and called 
 
 THE 'RiscA' COPPER WORKS, 
 
 from the village of that name, near the town of Newport. 
 Mr. O. Morgan, M.P., says " that the copper trade being 
 much depressed in 1817, the smelters determined to reduce 
 the number of works, and they accordingly drew lots to 
 decide which works should be given up ! The lot fell upon the 
 Risca, which were consequently abandoned, and have since 
 been converted and used as Chemical Works." 
 
 I suspect an unintentional error here as regards the original 
 Company, for coins in my cabinet shew that a penny token 
 
 * Of which I have an admirable drawing, by Baxter, in my Swansea 
 Topographic Collection, giving their appearance in 1811. 
 
 f His father and predecessor, Mr. R. J. Nevill, appears 4th in the 
 Magnates in this volume. 
 
 J Vide Percy's Metallurgy, Vol. I., page 293. 
 
 Since presented by the Author to Royal Institution Museum, 
 Swansea. G G-. F, 
 
/A r GLAMORGANSHIRE. 135 
 
 was issued in 181 1 by "The Birmingham and Risca Copper 
 Company," with the device of a pair of clasped hands in the 
 centre over the date. On the reverse is impressed "One 
 Penny Token, payable in Birmingham." Another Penny I 
 have, issued in the same year, with a like reverse, but the device 
 on the obverse changed from the united hands to a Copper 
 Works with eight smoking Furnaces, the date as before, 
 being 1811, but the inscription changed to "Risca Union 
 Copper Company." In 1812 another penny Token was issued 
 by "The Union Copper Company, Birmingham," those 
 words surrounding the first device of the united hands the 
 nverse stating that this "One penny Token" was " payable in 
 Cash-notes." What Cash-notes meant I am at a loss to 
 know, unless it was a modest idea of the Company that their 
 notes were as good as cash. Of one thing we may be quite 
 certain "the Union" succeeded "the Birmingham" Company, 
 and that in the year 1811. Its ignoble deposition, we have 
 already stated, took effect in 1817, and thus the County of 
 Monmouth lost its solitary Copper Manufactory. 
 
 Mr. Keates tells me, " The Union Company built the 
 Works at Risca and issued the Tokens as you say, but the 
 words Birmingham and Risca on the coins denoted which 
 were intended to circulate in the respective Districts. The 
 fate of the Risca may have been determined by lot, but 
 Mr. Betts, the late Silver refiner (and a Shareholder) of Bir- 
 mingham, told me that the business was given up, because 
 those Shareholders who were consumers of Copper, found 
 that they could buy it cheaper from others than they 
 could produce it themselves," a sufficiently cogent reason 
 commercially certainly. 
 
 About A.D. 1809, another site on the banks of the Loughor 
 river, opposite the Borough of that name, was selected on 
 a point, or spit of sandy ground, part of the adjoining 
 
136 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 Llangennech estate, in Carmarthenshire, and there Messrs. 
 Morris and Rees * erected 
 
 THE 'SPITTY' COPPER WORKS. 
 
 The latter gentleman had for some time been manager at 
 Penclawdd, under the first Mr. Vivian, the other had been 
 land agent to Mr. Tunno, at Llangennech Park, not far off. 
 
 Subsequently the Works were carried on by Messrs. Mary 
 W. Shears and Son, with Mr. Keates (now of St. Helen's, 
 Lancashire) as manager: f after whom Mr. Schneider, M.P., 
 now of Furness Abbey, and Sir William Foster, of 
 Norwich, with the late Mr. Champion Jones for manager; 
 together with Messrs. Napier and Cameron for chemists, 
 here carried out some interesting patented experi- 
 ments to prove whether the extracting of Copper more by 
 chemical combinations than direct smelting, could not be 
 successfully accomplished ; but, after a few years, we must 
 assume a non success, for the works were closed, and in 
 1858 the firms of Williams and Vivians purchased the lease, 
 broke up the furnace bottoms, and to the great loss of the 
 immediate neighbourhood they have remained idle as to 
 Copper ever since. 
 
 The year 1810 saw the commencement of the now 
 
 celebrated 
 
 ' HAFOD ' COPPER WORKS, 
 
 at Swansea, on the lands of the name, belonging to the 
 Duke of Beaufort and the Earl of Jersey, granted by lease in 
 that year, to Messrs. Richard Hussey and John Henry 
 Vivian. t Their father, John Vivian, Esq. (whose family name 
 in connection with metallurgic manufactures has now 
 obtained a world-wide reputation), I have already stated, first 
 
 * This Mr. "W. Rees, when he left Spitty, was employed at the Aberavan 
 Works, and thence went to Amlwch Copper Works, where he died. 
 
 f See a note as to this Gentleman at page 125. 
 
 { Full particulars of this letting may be gathered from the Act of 
 1st Viet., cap. 25, 3rd July, 183". G. G. F. 
 
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UNIVEESITY 
 
AV GLAMORGANSHIRE. 187 
 
 came over to Wales from Truro, in Cornwall, on behalf of 
 himself and other mine owners.* 
 
 The prosperous state of the trade, and the consequent great 
 increase of furnaces along the banks of the Tawe, created such 
 volumes of sulphurous acid gas (the so-called Copper Smoke) 
 that at length the neighbouring Landowners began to com- 
 plain of the mischief to their land, stock and crops, and legal 
 proceedings being threatened, it was at these works that 
 (with the stimulus of /^i,ooo reward for the cure of the 
 nuisance) Professors Faraday and Phillips conducted the 
 first series of experiments, under the immediate supervision 
 of the then managing partner, Mr. John Henry Vivian, in the 
 year 1812. No effort was wanting, no expense spared, but 
 alas ! success was not then to crown their efforts.f 
 
 As in the course of events the chief direction of these great 
 works fell to the share of Mr. H. Hussey Vivian, M.P., so 
 the Copper Smoke now is by that gentleman likely not 
 merely to be abated, but converted into a means of profitable 
 use for the manufacture of super-phosphate manures a kind 
 of chemical retribution little dreamt of a few years ago ! for 
 many particulars connected with which, I would refer the 
 reader to the Appendix of this volume. 
 
 The late Mr. J. H.Vivian informed me that the first practical 
 trials to that end, worthy of note, were made, at 'Hafod* 
 in May, 1820, and that Sir Humphrey Davy took 
 a lively and personal interest in the subject down to the 
 year 1822; that further experiments were continued at 
 'Hafod,' and improvements to the same end were publicly 
 notified so late as 1832 and '33. 
 
 * Vide account of the Penclawdd Works, page 125-26, ante. 
 
 t A pamphlet was printed in 1823 giving full details of all the experi- 
 ments and trials, and their results, as made at Hafod, a copy of which is to 
 be found in Jcrmyn-street, the British Museum, and Royal Institution, 
 Swansea. G. G. F. 
 
138 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 Of the original partners and brothers, the elder entered the 
 army, and having greatly distinguished himself in the Penin- 
 sular War, was created a Baronet for his eminent services, and 
 eventually, on retiring from his military command in Ireland, 
 created a Peer, by the title of Lord Vivian of Glyn. The 
 junior, Mr. John Henry Vivian, devoted himself to commercial 
 pursuits, and turning his natural abilities and early 
 scientific training* to account, became managing partner 
 of the 'Hafod' Works, and the admitted head of the 
 Copper Trade in this country. Mr. J. H.Vivian was elected 
 F.R.S. for his ' paper on Copper Smelting,' as printed 
 in the Royal Society's transactions. He was also one 
 of the earlier members of the Geological Society; and in 1832 
 was returned to represent SWANSEA, Neath, Aberavan, &c., 
 in the first reformed Parliament, the which he continued to 
 do in six successive Parliaments, until his death, in 1855; 
 and, having greatly endeared himself to his constituents 
 and friends, a Bronze Statue to his memory was erected in 
 the Guildhall square, Swansea; On its solid pedestal of 
 grey Cornish granite is inscribed 
 
 JOHN HENRY VIVIAN, ESQ., F.R.S., F.G.S., M.P., 
 
 WHO REPRESENTED THIS BOROUGH AND ITS CONTRIBUTORIES 
 
 IN SIX SUCCESSIVE PARLIAMENTS; 
 ERECTED BY HIS CONSTITUENTS AND FRIENDS, 
 
 A.D. MDCCCLVII. 
 
 BORN AT TRURO, 
 
 MDCCLXXIX., 
 
 HE DIED AT SINGLETON, 
 
 MDCCCLV, 
 UNIVERSALLY LAMENTED. 
 
 * This training it was, no doubt, which induced the appointment of a 
 regularly educated German Chemist (Mr. G. B. Herrmann) as part of 
 the staff at ' Hafod ' long before a like arrangement was attempted 
 at either of the neighbouring works. G. G. F, 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 139 
 
 To ' Hafod,' foreigners now resort when desiring to see its 
 great staple in process of manufacture; to 'Hafod,' the 
 cadet classes of Woolwich annually repair for instruction 
 in metallurgy 7 and great as was its progress under the late 
 Mr. J. H. Vivian, it still retains its pre-eminence under the 
 management of Mr. Hussey Vivian, whose father's mantle 
 has fallen on shoulders fully equal to the position. 
 
 'Hafod' is now the centre of a busy population, surrounded 
 by several of the Works which I have attempted to describe, 
 denuded of every vestige of verdure : what it was in days 
 when nature had her sway (150 years ago) may be gathered 
 from the following interesting lines penned evidently by one 
 who fully appreciated the scene, and very happily expressed 
 what he saw and felt : 
 
 ON HAVOD, NEAR SWANSEA, 1737. 
 
 Delightful Hafod, most serene abode ! 
 
 Thou sweet retreat, fit mansion for a god ! 
 
 Dame Nature, lavish of her gifts we see, 
 
 And Paradise again restored in thee. 
 
 Unrivall'd thou beneath the radiant sun ; 
 
 *Sketty and * Forest own themselves outdone. 
 
 Thy verdant fields, which wide extended lie, 
 
 For ever please, for ever charm the eye : 
 
 Thy shady groves afford a safe retreat 
 
 From falling show'rs, and summer's scorching heat : 
 
 Thy stately oaks to heaven aspiring rise, 
 
 And with their utmost tops salute the skies ; 
 
 While lowlier shrubs amidst thy lawns are seen, 
 
 All clad in liv'ries of the loveliest green : 
 
 From every bush the feather'd tribe we hear, 
 
 Who ravish with their warbling notes the ear. 
 
 But what compleats the beauty of the whole, 
 And has with raptures often filled my soul ; 
 Plere Swansea virgins every morn repair, 
 To range the fields and breathe in purer air ; 
 And soon as Phcebus ushers in the day, 
 Regale themselves with salutary whey. 
 Here lovely Morris charming nymph is seen, 
 Fair as an angel, graceful as a queen. 
 
 * Pleasant places near Swansea. 
 
140 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 Here Helen, too, the flow'ry pasture treads, 
 Whom none in beauty, none in wit exceeds : 
 
 Here R s comes, for ever brisk and gay, 
 
 Who steals insensibly our hearts away ; 
 
 Her killing eyes a frozen priest would move, 
 
 The youth who sees her cannot chuse but love. 
 
 Here Rosalinda does uncensured go, 
 
 To meet her swain, and cares not who shall know ; 
 
 For what ill-natur'd tongue will dare to say 
 
 She came to meet him, when she came for whey ? 
 
 S j, W r, W s hither all resort, 
 
 Nymphs that would grace the greatest monarch's court ; 
 
 So sweet, so charming, so divinely fair, 
 
 You'd swear a train of goddesses were there. 
 
 Here oft they pass their blissful hours away 
 
 In pleasant chat, or else in sportive play ; 
 
 Or sometimes in harmonious concert sing, 
 
 While neighbouring groves with sweetest echoes ring : 
 
 The birds are hushed, and all amazed appear, 
 
 Sounds more melodious than their own to hear : 
 
 Hard by old Taway* gently glides along, 
 
 And stays his stream to listen to their song ; 
 
 While t'other side a distant brook we hear, 
 
 Run murm'ring, 'cause he can't approach the fair. 
 
 Oh happy place ! the world I'd freely give, 
 That I might always at my Havod live : 
 My Havod should in deathless pages shine, 
 Were I, like Pope, a fav'rite of the nine : 
 Or on -\-Kilvay, or Keveribrin they dwell, 
 Or in J Cwmboorld's unfrequented vale : 
 Would they propitious but inspire my lays, 
 The world should ring with charming Havod 1 s praise. 
 
 But Oh ! the muses deign not to inspire, 
 My bosom burns not with poetick fire ; 
 I then must cease and lay aside my quill, 
 Lest I eclipse thy fame by praising ill. 
 
 It has been suggested that these lines may have been 
 penned by the poet Savage, but the date (1737) precludes 
 that assumption, for this most unfortunate of men did not 
 come to reside at Swansea, we know, till the year 1741. 
 
 * The river Tawe, of Swansea, running along Hafod, towards 
 Breconshire. 
 
 t Hills not far from Swansea. 
 
 ^ A vale joining the Tawe, near Swansea. 
 
AY GLAMORGANSHIRE. 141 
 
 There is also too much topographical and individual detail 
 for a stranger to have mastered during the short period 
 Savage resided here. 
 
 THE ' MORFA ' COPPER WORKS 
 
 lie next adjacent to the Hafod ; a portion of the lands for 
 Morfa were leased by the Duke of Beaufort to Messrs. John 
 Williams the younger, of Burncoose, Michael Williams of 
 Trevinse, William Williams of Scorrier House, all in Corn- 
 wall, merchants ; and also Sampson Foster, of Bromley, 
 Middlesex, merchant ; Joseph Talwin Foster, of Upper 
 Clapton, Middlesex, merchant ; Francis Hearle Rodd, of 
 Trewortha Hall, Cornwall, esquire; Samuel Stephens, of 
 Tregarron Castle, Cornwall, esquire ; Collan Harvey, of St. 
 Day, Cornwall, merchant ; and John Sampson, of Plymouth, 
 Devon, gentleman. The land granted was fifteen acres, and 
 the lease dated 5 Dec., 1831, and on this taking the 
 Copper Works proper were first built in 1834, near 
 the river, while the Rolling Mills (built in 1828) and 
 the Silver Works, (constructed in 1840) with the large 
 Stone Chimney near the Canal are on lands once 
 belonging to Mr. Bennett, of Laleston, at the sale of 
 whose estates the freehold of this was, I am told, 
 bought up by Messrs. Williams. 
 
 Some of the foregoing details, with much that relates to 
 Che * Hafod ' Works, may be found in the interesting recitals, 
 schedules, &c., contained in the confirming Act, cap. 25 of 
 the ist of Victoria. 
 
 The offices abutting on the canal, near the entrance to the 
 ' Morfa' Works, are also built on lands of the Duke ; indeed, 
 the mixed character of the properties hereabouts can scarcely 
 be properly understood without a plan ; so inconvenient was 
 it found at ' Hafod/ that Lord Jersey exchanged lands with 
 His Grace, to enable the latter to complete the lease to the 
 Messrs. Vivians under one ground landlord. 
 
142 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 THE 'CAMBRIAN' COPPER WORKS, 
 
 at Llanelly, were erected by Messrs. Mary Glascott and Sons, 
 in the year 1830. Copper smelting did not turn out success- 
 ful with the firm, and about the year 1838 to 1840 they 
 undertook smelting on commission for the Grenfells, the 
 Mines Royal, and the Governor and Company of Copper 
 Miners, but this, too, after a year's trial, was also given up, 
 and the works closed. The 'English' Copper Company then 
 took to them with the assistance of Mr. John Williams, of 
 Swansea, as manager. The ground landlord, Mr. Pemberton, 
 insisting that the coals used should come from certain collieries 
 at a price named in the lease, which being higher than they 
 could be purchased for elsewhere, and this being looked 
 upon as a hardship, the Company abandoned their lease 
 and declined to go on. So the works lay idle till 
 Messrs. Nevill and Co. purchased them as convenient to 
 their other premises at Llanelly, and converted them to 
 Lead and Silver smelting, in 1847. I understand that 
 they hold and continue them in those branches of 
 metallurgy to the present time. 
 
 In the little valley of the Afan, above the Town which lies 
 not far from its junction with the sea, on the East of Swansea 
 Bay, is to be found the great establishment known as 
 
 THE 
 
 *CWM-AFAN' COPPER AND METALLIFEROUS WORKS, 
 remarkable in the surrounding district for its enormous 
 chimney, carried up tunnel wise to the top of the adjacent 
 hill, and rising to a height of 1,200 feet above the 
 works, giving the mountain an Etna-like effect by the 
 volumes of smoke, which at a distance, and from the Bay, 
 appear to issue from it as though from a natural crater. 
 While erected at great cost in the hope of remedying the 
 admitted evils of Copper Smoke, it was said, unhappily, to 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 143 
 
 have produced a mischievous effect upon the lands within 
 its range. Indeed, Mr. N. E. Vaughan, as the owner of 
 some farms lying to the south-west, brought an action 
 against the 'English Copper Company/ at the Summer 
 Assizes of 1866 at Swansea, but the cause became a remanet, 
 and so remains untried, and the question unsettled.* 
 
 Neath, 31 Aug, 1839. 
 
 Mr. C. Tennant, when writing to Lord Jersey, as agent, said: 
 " The English Copper Company were a wealthy Copper Body, and 
 have lately sold their extensive works at Taibach, Margam to Mr. Vivian 
 in disgust and despair, as is supposed, of the new Port Talbot Works." 
 Their Cornish Agent, in answer to C. T., says " I shall myself 
 recommend Neath in preference to any other place hereabouts for Copper 
 Works." 
 
 These works, however, were built on lands of Earl Jersey, 
 on a lease granted to Messrs. Vigors and Co., in 1837. 
 Three years afterwards, in 1840, they were bought by 
 the ' Governor and Company of Copper Miners in England,' 
 who continued to hold them, having in addition to Copper, 
 introduced the manufacture of Iron bars and rails, Tin- 
 plates and Chemicals, the whole having been under the 
 active superintendence of the late fMr. W. P. Struve, C.E., 
 as resident agent, and manager, after whose time they 
 passed under various managers, until the Company went 
 into liquidation, and were bought up by a syndicate, com- 
 posed of Messrs. Spence, Dixon (of Cleopatra Needle renown) 
 and Shaw, the two first-named gentlemen subsequently sold 
 out, leaving Mr. Shaw the present proprietor. The Tin-plate 
 Works were sold off, and the remainder conducted under the 
 style and title of "The Successors of the Gov. and Com. of 
 Cop. Miners in England." The concern has quite recently 
 
 * See howe.ver agreement between them at p. no, in appendix, post. 
 
 t Mr. Struve, like his neighbours at the great works of the District, 
 raised a corps of Volunteer Rifles in 1840, and was appointed their Captain 
 Commandant ; they wore grey at first, and then red, with silver mounts. 
 
 G. G. F, 
 
H4 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 been transformed into "The Cwmavon Estate and Works 
 Company." 
 
 THE ' PEMBREY ' COPPER WORKS. 
 
 This manufactory is the most western in the District, built 
 on the margin of the Burry, near the village of Pembrey, in 
 Carmarthenshire, on the estate of Lord Ashburnham, and 
 near extensive mines of suitable coal. These works were 
 constructed for the eminent firm of Mason & Elkington, of 
 Birmingham and London. 
 
 The great stack, or chimney, which rises from the flat moor, 
 thence to a height of some 250 feet, has the date of its 
 erection in dark bricks on its northern face 1847 and from 
 its top may be seen issuing the long stream of thin white 
 gas wandering over the country where the wind listeth. 
 
 THE 'RED-JACKET' COPPER WORKS 
 
 were erected near the mouth of the river Neath, by the 
 Messrs. Bankart and Sons, in the year 1 849, between the 
 canal and the river, in a locality possessing great facilities 
 for the carriage of coal, ores, &c. The name is derived from 
 a small public-house on its bank, used by the frequenters 
 of the adjoining passage to Briton Ferry. 
 
 THE ' PORT-TENNANT ' COPPER WORKS 
 were built by Mr. Charles Lambert, an extensive mine owner 
 and smelter of Chili, who having large business connections 
 in that country, was nevertheless anxious to have a settlement 
 in the true Copper manufacturing District of Great Britain, 
 and accordingly in 1852 took lands for the purpose, near the 
 East pier, and immediate entrance of Swansea Harbour, 
 from the Duke of Beaufort a-nd Earl Jersey, and thereon 
 erected the extensive works, as often subsequently known 
 by his personal name as by the locality where they are 
 situated. They are now under the direct supervision of 
 Mr, Lambert's son-in-law, Mr. Edward Bath, 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 145 
 
 About a mile to the north-west of Swansea, in Cwmbwr- 
 lais, a small Works for the reduction of Copper dross and 
 old metal, was erected in 1852, by Mr. James Stephens, and 
 eventually some furnaces for the smelting of ores were added, 
 and the whole called 
 
 THE 'BLACK- VALE' COPPER WORKS, 
 
 I imagine from its neighbourhood being covered with heaps 
 of old colliery debris. 
 
 THE 'BRITON- FERRY* COPPER WORKS, 
 
 were constructed in 1853, by a junior member of the 
 firm of Bankart & Co., of ' Red Jacket' Copper Works, 
 in conjunction with the firm of Sweetland, Tuttle & Co., 
 and they naturally enjoy the like facilities for trade, 
 being very conveniently placed for coal, which can 
 there be had in abundance at a moderate price. When 
 Mr. Bankart retired from this firm he was replaced by 
 Mr. Barclay, who, ultimately becoming sole proprietor, 
 sold the works to the 'Cape Copper Mining Company* 
 for the reduction of their own ores from the Cape 
 of Good Hope, a curious revival of the condition of 
 things existing in the early years of the present century, 
 as previously related. 
 
 THE 'DANYGRAIG' COPPER WORKS 
 
 were also erected on Earl Jersey's estate by Mr. Jennings, 
 who came from the Clyne-Wood Works, in 1860. Copper- 
 smelting is here, nevertheless, but a secondary consideration, 
 the ores purchased being selected on account of their 
 containing Arsenic and Sulphur, the which having been 
 extracted, the remainder is run down for such Copper as 
 can be got out. 
 
 Messrs. Williams, Foster and Co. bought up Mr. Jennings* 
 interest in the firm, but Mr. J. M. Williams complaining of a 
 
 L 
 
I COPPER SMELTING 
 
 clause in the lease requiring an extra 10 per annum for 
 every Copper furnace erected, the agreement for sale was 
 cancelled, and so Mr. Hadland became and remains the sole 
 proprietor and manager. 
 
 In 1862, a return was once more made to the old Copper- 
 Works District, on the banks of the Tawe, by the conversion 
 of a pottery premises not long previously built by Mr. 
 Calland, a little to the north of the South Wales Railway 
 Viaduct. This conversion was effected by " The Landore 
 Arsenic and Copper Company," and their place of business 
 is known as 
 
 THE * LITTLE LANDORE ' COPPER WORKS, 
 to distinguish them from their near neighbour the old ' Lan- 
 dore' Works of Messrs. Williams, Foster, and Co. These 
 works stand on what no doubt was the eastern portion of the 
 premises leased to the first Llangavelach Copper Works, of 1744, 
 previously described, for it appears that, whenever the surface 
 is broken through, old copper slags immediately show them- 
 selves in abundance. 
 
 THE 'LLANSAMLET' WORKS, 
 
 with like objects to those at Danygraig, were in 1866-7 
 in course of construction by the same Mr. Jennings, between 
 Smith's Canal and the Swansea Vale Railway above the old 
 Copper Works on the eastern side of the River Tawe, also 
 on lands of Lord Jersey, in the parish from which they take 
 their name. 
 
 In addition to what may be considered the regular manu- 
 factories, there have been from time to time works so 
 small as to consist of only a furnace or two ; these small 
 beginnings have always been looked upon with great jealousy 
 and suspicion, and they have generally had to succumb to a 
 pressure which was too great for them to resist. Thus, I 
 recollect near the Pipe-house, at the head of the Canal 
 wharfs, a single furnace erected by Mr. Edw. Merry ; 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. U7 
 
 another below the South Wales Railway on the Strand, 
 belonging, I believe, to Mr. R. G. Thompson, and there may 
 possibly be others in ' The District." A like concern may 
 have existed at Bank-y-Gockus, as mentioned in previous 
 pages ; and I have a strong suspicion that some such 
 furnace once existed within the precincts of Swansea Castle, 
 for on opening the ground in Worcester-place some years since 
 for town drainage, north of the Post-office, we came upon 
 quantities of regularly tipped ill-smelted copper slag, very 
 green in parts from the copper it carelessly contained. It is 
 not impossible that this may have been from a trial furnace 
 permitted to be put up by Gabriel Powell, when the Duke's 
 Agent at Swansea, early in the last century. I have myself 
 seen quantities of roughly smelted lead ore from the floor of 
 the then chandler's premises in the N.E. corner of the 
 Castle at Swansea, proving that it was at the time looked 
 upon as pretty nearly waste ground there. 
 
 Brought at length near the end of my labours, I cannot 
 help noting that while in the earlier age of Copper Smelting, 
 Lead was nearly always a concomitant manufacture* now, 
 that chemistry has become the handmaid of art, the nobler 
 metals, Gold and Silver, in connection with Copper, as well 
 as other metals, have, for several years been largely extracted 
 at Swansea ; and so long as this was done secretly 
 by the few, it gave them a handsome return for the 
 science they employed beyond the less informed buyers 
 of argentiferous or auriferous ores, as the case might 
 be ; and thus also by the extension of scientific know- 
 ledge, the Arsenic and the Sulphur are now specially 
 
 * As a curious illustration of this, I notice that the old Docket of 
 Town and Quay dues ordered to be issued for Swansea Borough 
 in 1808, contains no other ores than those of "Copper or Lead," which 
 were charged 2d. a ton. In the tariff of Swansea, in the time of the 
 1st Mary, there is no notice of ores at all, and one could hardly expect 
 there would be, G. & F. 
 
 L a 
 
148 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 sought for and utilized, instead of being dissipated 
 into noxious gases. Long may these progressive steps con- 
 tinue, and the ores brought hither from each division of the 
 globe yield fruit after their kind for the use of man ; and let 
 us say with old Mr. Gabriel Powell 
 
 " Wee are determined to goe on, and think it very hard if" 
 " wee should be debarred of seeking those advantages which " 
 " the situation [of Swansea] entitles us to." 
 
 My readers who have had the patience to follow 
 up the information which I have gathered and utilized for 
 their knowledge, have, perhaps, scarcely brought their minds 
 to bear on the gigantic results which have flowed from the 
 localization of the Copper trade by Customer Smyth and 
 Ulricke Frosse, at Neath, (A.D. 1586) Elizabeth's reign, when 
 one "John Bwaple, of Wales, had delyvered into his Bark at 
 St. Ives, a frayght of Copp'r Owre of 15 tonnes and 8 
 hundreds waight in seven daies." In the place of these scanty 
 supplies from Cornwall, we have now a magnificent fleet 
 of first-class ships constantly trading to the port of 
 Swansea from all parts of the world, whose tonnage amounts 
 to an aggregate for the year of upwards of 200,000 tons of 
 Copper, Silver, Gold Lead, Zinc, Nickel, Cobalt and 
 Bismuth Ores.* When, again, we reflect on the number 
 of persons engaged, not simply in navigating the ships 
 for this tonnage, but the thousands of hands employed 
 at the various Copper and other adjacent Works, and 
 the numerous Collieries from which their daily supply of 
 fuel is extracted (to say nothing of the trades which 
 indirectly supply their numerous wants) we must, indeed, 
 be struck with the mighty success which has followed 
 the original planting of "Copper Smelting in the Swansea 
 District." 
 
 * Though recently large Works have been erected at Llansamlet, under 
 leases from Lord Jersey for the treatment of complex Ores. 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 149 
 
 May this Trade exist and long continue to flourish, and while 
 it immediately benefits those who carry it on, may it, by the 
 wise aids of science and skilled labour, be deprived of all 
 noxiousness, so that " One and All " may alike rejoice, and 
 with earnest voice, cry 
 
 " GOD SPEED THE COPPER TRADE." 
 
 MEMORANDUM -.January, 1869. 
 
 " God Speed the Copper Trade." It would indeed be somewhat remark- 
 able if it should turn out that, while I was expressing so ardent a wish, 
 this gigantic manufacture was then on the eve of a great change ! In 
 fact, shortly afterwards it was gravely stated at Swansea, " the days of the 
 Copper Trade are numbered, and Swansea has seen its grand climacteric 1" 
 /, for one, boldly doubted the latter assertion, for I argued even sup- 
 posing that the ' Copper Trade' had unfortunately reached its climax, and 
 was about to change its policy and localities, there was still for Swansea 
 a great Trade to be done in Silver and Gold, Iron and Steel, Zinc and 
 Tin-plates, Nickel and Cobalt, Alkalis and Chemicals, which might and 
 ought to nestle on the banks of Tawe, between and around the hills of my 
 native place, finding there the material element of CoaJs of wet y description 
 suitable to their several necessities. 
 
 GEO. GRANT-FRANCIS, F.S.A., Col. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 It having been urged on me that I have scarcely done 
 justice, at pp. 190-192, to the subject of "Copper Smoke," in 
 my ist Edition, I append my letter to the Cambrian at the 
 end of 1865, to shew that 7, at least, have not overlooked 
 or underrated its vast importance. 
 
 IMPROVEMENT OF SWANSEA. 
 
 SUPPRESSION OF COPPER SMOKE. 
 
 To the Editor of " THE CAMBRIAN." 
 
 SIR, Copper Smoke and Swansea are with great numbers 
 of persons interchangeable terms. The latter flourishes 
 alongside an admitted evil ! Under cover of it, other 
 noxious vapours have successfully nestled, so that those who 
 suffer in mind, body, or estate, are quietly but firmly informed 
 that the creation of Smoke, in this District has now become 
 a Prescriptive right. To open the question at all requires 
 some boldness, from a fear which generally exists that, it is 
 better to leave things as they are, than risk the chance of 
 injury to a great local trade. The sufferers, though their 
 name be legion, have now for some years lain dormant, chiefly, 
 I believe, in the hope that Chemistry and Legislation were 
 marching forward simultaneously for the benefit of the 
 Public health and the abatement of acknowledged nuisances. 
 Dr. Percy, in his "Metallurgy," published in 1861, at p. 339, 
 says: "The proprietor of the Patent Swansea Fuel Works has 
 been compelled, at great expense, to construct a long flue and 
 
152 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 chimney to the top of Kilvey hill, in order to carry further away 
 some dark-coloured, foul-smelling smoke, which is intolerable 
 to the inhabitants of a Town which can submit without a 
 murmur to the sulphurous and choking exhalations of the 
 Copper Works. Nay, it has, I understand, even been gravely 
 maintained by some persons that Copper Smoke is beneficial, 
 if not agreeable rather than otherwise. The smoke is an 
 unmistakeable nuisance ; and the man who pretends that it 
 is not, must either have a peculiar constitution, or lie under 
 some strange delusion." 
 
 This is the opinion of a competent scientific and perfectly 
 independent witness ; how many will endorse it locally, I 
 leave to your readers to consider and determine, if so 
 inclined. 
 
 The late Mr. J. H. Vivian had the honesty to declare that 
 " the suppression of the Smoke would be advantageous to 
 the Town and its' neikb^urho6d > ." 
 
 So much for the disagreeable part of the question, and I 
 will now enter on the "sunny side" of it by stating That a 
 Remedy has been discovered, has been tested, found practicable 
 and profitable, and is now being carried out at the ' Hafod' 
 and their other Works! 
 
 The questions which not unnaturally arise are, May we hope 
 to see the Valley again compare with our lovely Bay ? Can 
 Nature again recover her lost position ? Can our hills once 
 more be with verdure clad ? It will, I feel assured, be 
 admitted that these are most interesting questions to us as 
 Swansea folk. If our atmosphere could be pure, if our naked 
 hills could be clothed with grass and our cattle once more 
 graze and fatten thereon, who could complain ? and if this 
 " consummation devoutly to be wished," could not only 
 be brought about, but, at the same time, bring profit to the 
 Copper Smelters, then should we indeed have cause lor 
 common congratulation and rejoicing ! 
 
%" ( 
 
 UNIVEESITY 
 
PORTRAIT OF H.H.VIVIAN ESQ. 
 
 F. G.S. J. P. &. M.P FOR GLAMORGANSHIRE. 
 
 WHO FIRST ESTABLISHED THE GERSTEN HOFER SYST EM 
 
 AT HAFOD AND TAIBACH. 
 
 I N THE YEAR 1866. 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 163 
 
 It being well-known that I have taken an active 
 interest in this question for many years, a copy of 
 the annexed letter has been sent to me by the 
 personal kindness of Mr. Nash Vaughan. The prospec- 
 tive advantages to the Swansea District are so great, 
 that I lost no time in laying it before the public: 
 
 5, Upper Belgrave Street, London, 
 
 2Oth June, 1865. 
 DEAR VAUGHAN, I am in receipt of your letter of to-day's date. 
 
 It is quite true that we have purchased Mr. Moritz Gerstenhofer's 
 Patent, and are carrying it out energetically. We have had two calciners 
 at work for some months and are now building twenty-six between our 
 Hafod and Taibach Works. 
 
 As far as I can form an opinion, it is a perfect success, and will 
 put an end to all vapours arising from our calcining and roasting 
 furnaces. I believe that when this furnace is universally adopted 
 the only vapours arising from the Copper Works will be those of 
 the melting furnaces At a rough guess, probably upwards of 
 two-thirds will be condensed and turned to profitable account. 
 The outlay involved is, however, considerable, and much time 
 will be necessary to reconstruct such large works without bringing 
 them to a stand. Although, as you are aware, no pressure has 
 been put upon us for many years, still I have never lost sight of 
 the subject, and when the 'Landore' Alkali Works came into the 
 market about eighteen months ago, we took them chiefly with a 
 view to work out this problem. We were about to enter into a 
 course of experiments when Mr. Gerstenhofer's novel and beautiful 
 invention was brought under my notice by our chemist, Mr. B. S. 
 Herrmann. We at once made arrangements for its use, and ultimately 
 for its purchase. If it turns out, when in extensive use, to be as 
 successful as I at present believe it to be, it will be a subject of 
 great gratification to us to have been instrumental in introducing 
 an improvement so important and beneficial. 
 
 You are at liberty to make any use you please of this letter. 
 Believe me, 
 
 Yours very truly, 
 
 H. HUSSEY VIVIAN. 
 
 NASH E. VAUGHAN, Esq., 
 Rheola, Neath. 
 
164 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 IST JANUARY, 1868. 
 
 Having gone up to-day to Hafod to swear in special 
 constables, as one of the two County Justices so deputed, in 
 re "Fenianism;" after we had finished, Mr. Hussey Vivian 
 asked me to go through the Works and see the changes 
 which the adoption of the Gerstenhofer furnaces had made, 
 and also to see the conversion of the " smoke" into sulphuric 
 acid. I went with pleasure and found only four of the old 
 calciners remaining out of 35. Many of them had been 
 removed and replaced, others were in course of demolition, 
 and others blown out, but still warm ; so that really 
 the year of 1865 saw the expiry of the old system of 
 Copper calcining at Hafod. 
 
 The new Furnaces may be termed perpendicular the old 
 ones horizontal, and this change of form has necessitated 
 the raising of the side walls and roofs of the buildings, but 
 this change though costly to the owners is a benefit to the 
 workmen in light and air. Thence we proceeded to 
 the old slag banks which had been levelled at top and 
 now afford an extensive flat area on which had been erected 
 immense wooden structures whose internal sides and tops 
 have been covered with sheet lead, and into which large 
 culverts convey the gases driven off from the calciners and up 
 to themselves, and when the necessary introduction of nitrous 
 acid and steam converts the fumes of Copper smoke into 
 sulphuric acid, which being condensed into proper receivers, 
 its strength is tested and it is stored for use or sale. At this 
 great elevation it is readily conveyed by pipes to Mr. Vivian's 
 alkali works on one side, or to the phosphate works,* on 
 the other, by which means a great saving of carriage and loss 
 
 * At the gates entrance of the works I had noticed the following 
 important intimation which I saw at once meant business : 
 
 " Messrs. Vivian and Sons, Hafod Phosphate Works, Swansea, are in 
 want of Agents for the sale of their super-phosphate and other manures 
 in districts where they are not already represented. A liberal com- 
 mission will be given to competent and energetic salesmen." G. G. F. 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 155 
 
 by waste is effected. The very great size of these chambers 
 may be gathered when I say they are upwards of 100 feet 
 high, 30 feet long and 25 feet wide. We then got up on the flat 
 tops or roofs, and thence were able to seethe material difference 
 between the chimneys of the calcining furnaces at Hafod 
 and the neighbouring works where Gerstenhofer's plans are 
 not carried out, and although its proprietor said all was not 
 yet effected at ' Hafod ' that he hoped to carry out, yet the 
 difference was very marked. Seeing is, indeed here, believing ! 
 Before parting, Mr. Vivian told me that he had recently 
 bought the " Old Forest " Copper Works, and was then con- 
 verting them into zinc or spelter works, and that he expected 
 thirty German workmen with his manager, Mr. Daehne, there 
 to-morrow, and the works to be in operation next week 
 further, that he anticipates manufacturing 20,000 tons of zinc 
 ores on the banks of Swansea River. That the ores he 
 was using were chiefly carbonates, but that a good deal of 
 blende or sulphuret of zinc would be used by and bye, and 
 if so, he should pass it all through Gerstenhofer's furnaces 
 and so save the sulphur, and, I beg to add, the necessary 
 additional nuisance.* 
 
 * HAFOD COPPER WORKS, SWANSEA, 
 
 June 2$tk, 1 88 1. 
 
 DEAR SIR, The dimensions of our Acid Chambers, which you 
 saw at "Hafod," were as follows: 
 
 3 Chambers, each 40 x 30 X 20 = 72,000 c ft. 
 40 x 30 x 241= 87,300 
 
 120 x 30 x 25 = 90,000 
 
 150 x 30 x 25 =112,500 
 
 115 x 30 x 25 = 86,250 
 
 ii7?x 30 x 25 = 88,000 
 
 536,050 
 
 I cannot obtain the exact date when the Works ("Forest") were 
 given up to the Duke of Beaufort but know that they have not been 
 used as "Copper Works." You are aware that they now form part 
 of our "Morriston Spelter Works." 
 
 Yours very truly, WM. MORGAN. 
 Col. G. GRANT-FRANCIS, F.S.A., 
 
 New Athenaeum Club, 
 
 London. 
 
166 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 I cannot conclude this notice on my visit without 
 expressing the pleasure there is to be derived from 
 visiting so busy a scene with the active spirit of him 
 who has not only the will but sees the way to carry 
 into effect such gigantic measures as I have endeavoured 
 here to describe. Mr. Vivian has my heartiest good 
 wishes for his entire success in a manufacture, bearing, 
 as he does, the estimable character which his Father did 
 before him of " doing the right thing at the right time," 
 and to which I hope my neighbours will cordially 
 respond. AMEN. 
 
 G. G. F. 
 
 Cae Bailey, Swansea, 
 
 New YeaSs Day, 1868. 
 
 I have the pleasure of knowing Herr Gerstenhofer person- 
 ally, and he has assured me that not only is this mode of 
 treating sulphurous ores a proved success in Germany, but he 
 has little doubt but that it will be a key whereby to fetter many 
 other gaseous nuisances. It is a curious fact, that the 
 Germans were our instructors in copper smelting nearly three 
 centuries ago, and that now one of the greatest improvements 
 in the modus operandi of that important manufacture should 
 emanate from the same source. 
 
 A brief description of so valuable an invention may here 
 be pardoned 
 
 The ores of Copper are oxides, carbonates, and sulphurets 
 little or no mischief arises from the smelting of the two 
 first named, but the sulphur contained in the latter 
 is readily driven off by heat, and appears at the top 
 of the chimney and through the region over which it 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 157 
 
 passes as white and tenaceous gaseous clouds, too well 
 known locally as " Copper Smoke," which gases are 
 created by roasting the ores with coal fires in the 
 calcining furnaces. 
 
 The object of the new mode is, by a properly 
 constructed furnace, so to divide the ore as it passes 
 from the regulated hoppers at the top, that it shall 
 fall on a triangular bar, and then on to similar bars 
 below each other, and thus expose the ore to con- 
 tinued subdivision till it reaches the bottom and is 
 freed from the sulphur. The heat has converted 
 it into sulphurous acid, the which is constantly passing 
 off through side chambers into condensers, and becoming 
 a marketable article, is retained and prevented from 
 escaping into the atmosphere and becoming a common 
 mischief. 
 
 A most important item in the invention is, that no fuel is 
 required, for the sulphur catching fire at the upper bars, the 
 heat evolved within the furnace suffices to keep the falling 
 ore in a state of ignition. Simplicity is indeed here coupled 
 with economy. 
 
 Mr. Vivian is emphatic in his declaration as to the 
 value of the discovery, and proves his belief in its success 
 by the erection of no less than 28 new furnaces at Swansea 
 and Taibach, Glamorgan. When it is recollected " that 
 46,000 tons of sulphur are volatilized into 92,000 tons of 
 sulphurous acid, that in the works near Swansea 65,900 
 cubic meters of this acid are projected into the atmosphere, 
 and that Le Play estimates the value of the sulphur thus 
 dissipated daily at ^"200,000 yearly "I we may readily 
 appreciate the importance of the commercial side of the 
 question, and rest satisfied that the Smelters elsewhere will 
 
158 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 have an equal interest with Mr. Vivian in availing them- 
 selves of Moritz Gerstenhofer's admirable invention. 
 
 I remain, Sir, 
 
 Yours faithfully, 
 
 GEO. GRANT FRAKCIS, F.S.A. 
 
 Cae Bailey, Swansea, 
 8th Aug., 1865. 
 
 The process and practical working of this valuable invention 
 will be best shewn by a speech of Mr. Vivian, to the 
 West Glamorgan Agricultural Association, in December, 
 1866. This gentleman having touched on various subjects, 
 continued : 
 
 V 
 
 ' His (Mr. Vivian's) experience in managing affairs which was con- 
 siderablehad shown him how very much depended upon the power of 
 choosing men ; and he was quite convinced that if Bonaparte had not 
 known how to choose good generals, he would never have been Bonaparte. 
 (Hear, hear, and laughter.) As far as he individually was concerned, his 
 chief thought and occupation in life, as they all knew, was to keep in 
 activity those gentlemen whom they saw in such numbers smoking their 
 pipes about a mile to the north of this town. (Laughter.) He believed 
 some people considered that the peculiar ' tobacco ' smoke which issued 
 from those pipes was not of a high agricultural value. Of course he 
 differed from that opinion. (Laughter.) No one had ever yet been able 
 to convince him that it was not of very considerable agricultural value ; 
 and he believed he was now in a position to prove that the opinions that 
 he had always entertained on the point were correct. He could assure 
 them that he had given a great deal of time and thought of late to 
 bottling that smoke, and his conviction was that when it was bottled it 
 
Iff GLAMORGANSHIRE. 159 
 
 would be of great agricultural value. In fact he firmly believed that 
 this District was destined to become the fertiliser of a very large portion 
 of England. A short time ago, when partridges were in season, he was 
 walking through a very fine field of turnips, near Llangafelach in a part 
 where he believed no turnips had ever grown before. He turned round to 
 the man in charge and asked ' What do you put on those fields ?' He 
 replied, ' Deed I don't know five hundred weight of stuff which Mr. 
 Taylor did send me.' 'Oh,' said he (Mr. Vivian) ' then two and a half 
 hundred weight of it is copper smoke ! ' (Hear, hear, and laughter.) 
 And this was the fact ; half of the manure which was put on that land 
 was copper smoke, and judging from the crop there was no doubt at all 
 that copper smoke agreed very well with turnips. He had, as he had said, 
 given great attention to the subject lately, and was putting up a little 
 works which were now covered with those rose coloured roofs which they 
 might have observed about half-way between this and Landore ; and he 
 thought the result of the experiment would be that they would produce 
 manure enough for something like 40,000 acres of turnips every year. 
 (Hear, hear.) He looked upon it merely as an experiment as just a little 
 feeler and if it answered, as he hoped and believed it would, he thought, 
 as he had said, that this district would turn out to be the chief fertilizer of 
 a large portion of England, because that on which they were now ex- 
 perimenting represented but a very small portion of that beautiful white 
 smoke (laughter) which they saw rolling away in such abundance over 
 Kilvey hill, and of which he hoped a large portion would evidently be 
 condensed and transformed into Superphosphates. As he had once before 
 taken occasion to say in that room, his opinion was, that this was a green 
 country a country peculiarly adapted for the growth of green crops and 
 he thought therefore that they would act wisely in giving their attention 
 especially to this department. He could not take to himself credit 
 as an agriculturalist but he could have a sincere desire to assist the 
 agriculturalists, and to obtain what he believed would prove a very 
 valuable fertilizing agent from a substance which most people had 
 hitherto said though he had never believed it (laughter) was quite 
 the reverse. He had every confidence of success in the under- 
 taking, and if so he thought he might at any rate claim credit for 
 having found out a mode ex fumo dare ceremont of smoke to 
 produce rich corn. And if he did this, he thought he should be quite 
 prepared to show his face at any Agricultural Society in the kingdom. 
 (Hear, hear.)" 
 
 Having, at p. 143, made reference to the action commenced 
 against the 'English Copper Company' at Cwm-Avati, for 
 damage caused by their smoke, I have much pleasure in 
 annexing the details, handed to me by Mr. Vaughan, of the 
 
160 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 terms of the negociations which have been so far brought 
 to a satisfactory conclusion. It is impossible to exaggerate 
 the importance of this Case in the District. G. G. F. 
 
 "VAUGHAN v. CWM-AVAN COPPER CO. 
 
 TERMS AGREED UPON. 
 
 I. That the Company shall at once use all reasonable means, consistent 
 with the smelting processes of Copper, to abate and do away any deleteri- 
 ous effects which may arise from their works ; and that if, at the expiration 
 of two years from this date, Mr. Vaughan, or his Tenants should be of 
 opinion that all necessary steps have not been taken to effect the above 
 object, then that the question whether they have used all such reasonable 
 means or not, shall be referred to a person to be named by the Board of 
 Trade, whose decision on the question in dispute shall be final. 
 
 2. That in the event of his deciding that sufficient steps have not been 
 taken, a verdict to be entered in the Action for Ten Pounds damages, 
 each party paying his own costs. 
 
 N. EDWARDS VAUGHAN. 
 
 For the Governor & Co. of \ WTT y -, . M p ~ TRT v 
 Copper Miners in England } W11 - LIAM ** bTRUVE. 
 
 MEMORANDUM. 
 
 That the Actions by my Tenants shall be withdrawn no Costs either 
 side. 
 
 N. E. VAUGHAN.* 
 
 WILLIAM P. STRUVE." 
 February, 1867. 
 
 * " Mr. Vaughan, of Rheola, died at Inchbar, Rosshire, N.B., on 5th 
 September, at the age of 57 years," vide Cambrian of nth September, 
 1868. G. G. F. 
 
AV GLAMORGANSHIRE. 161 
 
 BRASS, COPPER, AND SILVER TRADE TOKENS current in 
 " The Swansea District" between the years 1666 and 1813, 
 described from the originals in the 
 
 Cabinet of Col. Grant-Francis, F.S.A., 1867: 
 To THE EDITOR OF THE "CAMBRIAN." 
 
 The value of Coins and Medals in the elucidation of History has too 
 often been dwelt upon and admitted to need enlargement from me : how 
 useful they have proved in connection with the subject which has occupied 
 our attention recently in these columns must have been noticed by all who 
 have perused my letters. Before, therefore, entirely concluding my 
 communications on " Copper Smelting " I am anxious to ascertain whether 
 any other Tokens are to be found in the neighbourhood which may assist 
 in throwing a further light upon that interesting subject, and with this 
 view I beg now to send a descriptive list of the series in my Cabinet, and 1 
 shall esteem it a particular favour if any one having a coin of a different 
 type or date will send a description of it either to your columns or to me 
 direct. 
 
 I have since presented the entire series to the Museum of the Royal 
 Institution of South Wales, where I am glad to find they are careful 
 preserved, and much thought of by the Visitors. 
 
 Cae Bailev. G. G. F. 
 
 I 
 
 1666. Halfpenny in brass. Obverse. In the field a shield bearing the 
 bust of the Virgin. Between a cinquefoil mintmark and two stars, 
 " Matthew Davies, in." Reverse, " Swanzey. Mercer. 1666. His Halfe 
 Peny." 
 
 2. 
 
 1666. Farthing in brass. Obv. "Isaac After." I. A., between two 
 roses. Rev. "In Swansea. LA." 
 
 3- 
 
 1666. Farming in brass. Obv. "Thomas Love," in the field, the 
 arms of the Mercer's Co., as No. i. R*t. "OfNeath. Mercer" "T. 
 B. L," in the field, 
 
 M 
 
COPPER SMELTING 
 
 4- 
 
 1656. Brass farthing Obv. " William Burten," W.S.B. in the field 
 Rev. " At Swansea, 1656." W.S.B. as on the obverse. This Token 
 was sent to me by Mr. Boyne as possibly belonging to Swansea; but I 
 rather doubt it. 
 
 5- 
 
 1787. Penny in copper. Obv. A Druid's Bust, surrounded by a 
 closely woven wreath of oak leaves. Rev. " P. M. Co. " in Italian text 
 capitals, surmounted by the date, 1787, and inscribed, "We promise to 
 pay the bearer one penny." On the edge, " On demand in London, 
 Liverpool, or Anglesey." 
 
 6. 
 
 1788. Halfpenny and Farthing in Copper. Obv. Similar device to 
 foregoing, but the wreath is more open in its arrangement, and acorns are 
 freely interspersed. Rev. and edge same as foregoing, but dated one year 
 later, and inscribed "Anglesea Mines Halfpenny." The farthing is not 
 called by that name, but " Half halfpenny," and its edge milled. The 
 initials on these fine coins stand, of course, for " Parys Mining Company." 
 
 7- 
 
 1789. Halfpenny in copper. Obv. The bust of a Bishop mitred, a 
 crosier in the field (some types are without the crosier). Inscribed 
 "Cronebane Halfpenny." Rev. The arms and crest of the "Associated 
 Irish Mine Company," in the field 1789. Another type has a female 
 figure seated and leaning on a harp, inscribed " Hibernia." 
 
 1791. Halfpenny in copper. Obv. Devices as on the previous three 
 coins, but more boldly executed ; the artist has added R. D. under the 
 bust, the design for which was evidently taken from the figure of a " Chief 
 Druid" engraved on the title page of Powell's History of Wales, 1774 
 edition. Rev. "Cornish copper. Half an ounce. 1791," the field 
 charged with arms of the Duchy of Cornwall, surmounted by a ducal 
 coronet. 
 
 9- 
 
 1791. Halfpenny in copper. Obv. Portrait bust, surrounded by 
 " Charles Roe established the copper works 1758." Rev. A female seated 
 with emblems of machinery, with the date underneath, 1791, and in- 
 scribed " Macclesfield Halfpenny." On the edge, "Payable at Macclesfield, 
 Liverpool, and Congleton." 
 
 lo. 
 
 1792. Farthing in copper. Obv. and Rev. precisely the same designs 
 as No. 9, but inscribed " Macclesfield Half Halfpenny, 1792." 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE, 163 
 
 ii. 
 
 1791. Halfpenny in copper. Obv. In the field a female in flowing 
 drapery seated, and resting her right hand on a rock, supporting with her 
 left a bound fasces, which is resting on her left knee: inscribed, 
 "Birmingham Mining and Copper Company, 1791." Rev. In the field 
 a Stork, Heron, or Liver standing on a cornua full of flowers, with 
 "Halfpenny payable at (on the edge) Birmingham, Redruth, and 
 Swansea." 
 
 12. 
 
 1792 and 1793. Halfpence in copper, with exactly the same devices as 
 the foregoing, but that the dates are altered, and the last, I am told, in 
 some instances, has Swansea omitted from the edge. 
 
 13- 
 
 1793. Halfpenny in copper. Obv. same as in the year 1787, but of 
 very inferior execution. Rev. The Field occupied by "R. N. G." in 
 travesty apparently of its prototype, with the date at the top, 1793. 
 Inscribed "North Wales halfpenny;" and on the edge, "Payable at John 
 Fincham's, Suffolk."!* 
 
 14. 
 
 1793. Farthing in brass. Obv. A rudely executed male bust, inscribed 
 " South Wales Farthing." Rev. The Prince's Plume in a shield, 
 surrounded by "Pro bono Publico. 1793," and a wreath.f 
 
 IS- 
 
 1793. Halfpenny in copper. Obv. A Druid's bust within a wreath of 
 oak, two sprigs of which are brought out on the field near the centre. 
 Rev. A Welsh harp within a wreath of oak, date above, 1793, and 
 inscribed "North Wales Halfpenny." This coin is of very poor execution. 
 
 It may be well here to mention that there are a number of types with 
 this Druid's Head on Obv. It was probably a favourite, not only on 
 account of its Welsh design, but the 1787 type was \befirst Token issued 
 in the Kingdom in the i8th Century. 
 
 16. 
 
 1 795. Halfpenny in copper. Obv. A fine quasi portrait bust, inscribed, 
 " Jestyn-ap-Gwrgan, Tywysog Morganwg, 1091," round the neck, from a 
 chain, is suspended a shield sable bearing a cross or. Rev. A draped 
 Britannia seated on a globe, shield and spear in her left hand, while with 
 her right she points to the distance ; in front is a ship, and behind 
 her a pillar supporting a crown, up towards which a laurel is growing ; 
 inscription, "YBrenhinar Gyfraith, 1795." Oa the edge "Glamorgan 
 Halfpenny." 
 
 * This puzzles me greatly. How came North Wales and Suffolk 
 to be thus coupled together ? The coin was current in the former, 
 doubtless, owing to its connections with the Copper trade. 
 
 t Some are hi Copper and inscribed " Medallion of St. David," 
 
164 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 17- 
 
 1795. Halfpenny in copper. Obv. An ugly, ill executed bust of a 
 female, inscribed "Princess of Wales." Rev. A Portcullis (the device 
 of the Borough of Swansea), surmounted by the crest of the Duke of 
 Beaufort and at present the device, etc., the Welsh plumes, inscribed, 
 Halfpenny r 795." The edge has no inscription, but is diagonally milled. 
 
 1795. I h ave seen a Halfpenny with the bust of George Washington 
 and a shield with the stars and stripes, and an inscription " Liberty and 
 Security." Inscribed on edge, "Payable at Swansea, London, and 
 Birmingham," but as yet do not possess it. G. G. s. 
 
 18. 
 
 1795. Halfpenny in copper. Obv. and Rev. similar designs to Nos. 
 
 11 and 12, but inscribed ' The Birmingham Metal and Copper Co. 1795. 
 Payable at Birmingham, Redruth, and Swansea." 
 
 19- 
 
 1796. Halfpenny in copper. Obv. and Rev. like to the foregoing No. 
 18, but inscribed "Birmingham Coining and Copper Co. 1796. Payable 
 at Birmingham, Redruth and Swansea." 
 
 20. 
 
 1796. Halfpenny in copper. Obv View of Swansea Castle, inscribed 
 and dated, "Swansea Halfpenny, 1795." Rev. A key suspended from a 
 knotted ribbon, with words, John Voss, draper, &c." On the edge, 
 "Payable on Demand."* 
 
 21. 
 
 1811. Shilling in Silver. Obv. Swansea Castle, inscribed " Swansea 
 Token for xn. pence. MDCCCXI." Rev. The suspended key as on the 
 foregoing, but inscribed " Payable by John Voss, Draper, &c. ;" the edge 
 being milled. 
 
 22. 
 
 1811 Shilling in silver. Obv. as the last but no inscription or date ; 
 this latter, however, I learnt from Mr. Padley himself, was 1811. Rev. A 
 wreath of laurel surrounds the words, " Payable at S. Padley's and J. 
 Andrews's."f The inscription near the rim is " Swansea Silver Token for 
 
 12 pence." 
 
 * This token almost rivals in execution the celebrated series issued for 
 Coventry, and was evidently the type from which the two following in 
 silver were executed ; but, like most copies, they do not equal the beauty 
 of the original. 
 
 t Padley and Andrews were traders and brothers-in-law residing at 
 Swansea^ the former being Portreeve of that Borough in the year 1833, 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 165 
 
 23- 
 
 i8ir. Shilling in silver. Obv. The field occupied by the arms of the 
 Borough of Neath, inscribed "Payable at H. Rees and D. Morgan." 
 Rev. " Neath. Silver token." The field filled with the words " 12 pence. 
 1811." 
 
 24- 
 
 i8rr. Sixpence in silver. Precisely the same as on the last mentioned 
 shilling, except that the date is omitted and a wreath of laurels surrounds 
 the word " Sixpence " on the Rev. 
 
 25- 
 
 1811. Penny hi copper. Obv. An imperial crown in the field, 
 surrounded by " Birmingham and Neath, 181 1." Rev. " Crown Copper 
 Company. One penny." 
 
 26. 
 
 181 r. Penny in copper. Obv. A Cornish pumping engine and a whim, 
 dated underneath, "1811," inscribed, "Cornish penny." Rev. In the 
 field, a fish haurient between four cakes of copper and three blocks of tin, 
 inscribed, "Payable in cash notes at Scorrier House." 
 
 27. 
 
 1811. Penny in copper. Obv. "Tavistock penny Token," the field 
 occupied with the Prince's plume. Rev. A mining engine in the plain, 
 backed by hills, and inscribed " Devon Mines, 1811." 
 
 28. 
 
 1811. Penny in Copper. Obv. Within a buckled garter, the arms of 
 the City of Bristol, surrounded by its motto and crest with the date 
 "1811" underneath. Rev. "One Penny Token. Bristol and South 
 Wales," surrounded by the Welsh Plume of Feathers in the field. 
 
 29. 
 
 1811. Penny and halfpenny in copper. Obv. Arms and crest of the 
 City of Bristol, encircled by its motto "Virtute et Industria. 1811." 
 Rev. The field occupied by italic capitals " B. B. and Copper Co." 
 (Bristol Brass and Copper Company), and inscribed " One Penny Payable 
 at Bristol, Swansea and London." 
 
 30. 
 
 181 r. Penny and halfpenny in copper. Obv. "Rose Copper Company," 
 and in the field, "Token l8u." Rev. " Birmingham and Swansea. One 
 penny.' 
 
166 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 1811. Penny, Halfpenny and Farthing in copper. Obv The field 
 occupied by a ship under sail, but the artist, being no sailor, has made a 
 sad mess of the design on the farthing by placing the sails the wrong side 
 of the mast. All are inscribed " Patent Sheathing Nail Manufactory, 
 Bristol." Rev. " Penny (Halfpenny or Farthing) Token. 1811. Payable 
 at Bristol and London." 
 
 32- 
 
 1811. Penny in copper. Obv. In the field above the date "1811 " a 
 pair of clasped hands frilled at the wrists, inscribed " Birmingham and 
 Risca Copper Company." Rev. "Payable in Birmingham. One Penny 
 Token." 
 
 33- 
 
 1811. Penny in copper. Obv. Three copper smelting houses with 
 eight smoking chimnies; underneath is the date " 1811," and around 
 "Risca Union Copper Company." Rev. " Payable in Birmingham. One 
 Penny Token." 
 
 34- 
 
 1812. Penny in copper. Obv. As No. 31, but more boldly engraved, 
 dated " 1812," and inscribed " Union Copper Company, Birmingham." 
 Rev. " Payable in cash notes. One Penny Token." 
 
 35- 
 
 1812. Penny in copper. Obv. " Cheadle Copper and Brass Company. 
 Token. 1812." Rev. " Payable in London, Cheadle, and Neath. One 
 Penny." 
 
 36. 
 
 1812. Penny in copper. Obv. The entire surface occupied by the 
 arms, supporters, motto, and coronet of Lord De Dunstanville. Rev. 
 Inscribed " Success to the Cornish Mines. 1812. Penny piece." 
 
 37- 
 
 1812. Penny in copper. Obv. In the field a Plume of Feathers, 
 inscribed, "Birmingham and South Wales. 1812." Rev. A Horse 
 trippant. Around, " Copper Token. One Penny." 
 
 38. 
 
 1812. Penny in Copper. Obv. In the field a lion rampant regardant 
 sustaining between its three paws an oval shield enriched with a rose branch : 
 the whole inscribed "Birmingham and Swansea. 1812." The Rev. is 
 occupied with a sprig bearing a rose full blown, and the words " Copper 
 Token, One penny," round it near the rim. 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 167 
 
 39- 
 
 1812. Pennies in copper Obv. In the field a lion passant (in one of 
 the types the face is three-quarter, in the other affront^ or full,) underneath 
 "One penny. 1813," and circling the whole are the words "Rolling 
 Mills at Walthamstow." Rev. Within an oak wreath, " British Copper 
 Company," and without the wreath " Smelting Works at Landore." 
 
 40. 
 
 1812. Halfpenny in copper. Obv. A female figure seated on a bale 
 of merchandise, holding a branch in her right hand, and a caduceous in 
 her left. Above are the words, "Trade and Navigation," and below 
 the date, " 1812." Rev. Halfpenny Token. " Pure Copper preferred to 
 paper" a quiet hit, I suppose, at " Cash Notes." Vide Nos. 26 and 33. 
 
 41. 
 
 1813. Penny in copper. Obv. " One Penny Token." "Swansea and 
 South Wales, 1813." Rev. " Payable at the Cambrian Pottery, Swansea, 
 by L W. Dillwyn, T. Bevington, and J. Bevington." 
 
 42. 
 
 1813. Penny in copper. "One Penny. Obv. Nantrhydyvilas Air 
 Furnace Co." Rev. "Payable at Swansea and Moniston. 1813." 
 
 43- 
 
 1813. Penny in copper. Obv. In the field a shield containing the 
 arms of Carmarthen, and inscribed "Carmarthen Penny." Rev. " Payable 
 by William Moss, Carmarthen, Swansea, and at Jacob and Halse, London, 
 1813,'' encircled by a wreath of laurel. 
 
 44- 
 
 1813. Halfpenny in copper. Obv. Within a wreath of laurel, Britannia 
 seated. Rev. A Lion passant, three quarter face, inscribed " Halfpenny, 
 1813."* 
 
 45- 
 
 No date. Shilling in Silver.f Obv. Four dexter hands coupled at the 
 wrists, finished with bands; surrounded by the words "London. York, 
 Swansea, and Leeds." Rev. In centre " One Shilling Token." Surround- 
 ing the edge, " To Facilitate Trade." 
 
 * This is evidently the halfpenny to match No. 38, the Lion (three-quarter) 
 being exactly the same, and the Obv., properly represented the name of 
 the Co. British Copper Company. 
 
 f The above is extremely rare, if not unique. It is unknown to all the 
 collectors to whom I have shewn it, and there is no impression of it in 
 the British Museum, or my own collection. 
 
168 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 46. 
 ANOTHER TOKEN CONNECTED WITH SWANSEA. 
 
 TO THE EDITOR OF ''THE CAMBRIAN." 
 
 SIR, Some few months ago you were good enough to give insertion to 
 a list of Tokens issued from or connected with Swansea. A silver shilling 
 has recently come into my possession of an entirely unknown type. The 
 device is, Obv. Four right hands cuffed at the wrist, conjoined ; inscribed 
 "London, York, Swansea and Leeds." Rev. In the field, " One Shilling 
 Token," and around it, " To Facilitate Trade." As this coin is unknown 
 at the British Museum, and not given m Boynes's work, it must be 
 extremely rare. Can any of your readers give any account of it, or any 
 reason for the assumed connection between the four towns inscribed 
 on it? 
 
 Yours faithfully, 
 
 GEO. GRANT-FRANCIS. F.S.A., Col. 
 
 Langland Bay, 
 20th Nov., 1868. 
 
 NOTE. It is, of course, well known to Collectors that no Tokens were 
 issued aftei 1814, as they were suppressed by proclamation. In "The 
 Swansea District," however, I well recollect their remaining in currency, 
 the best evidence being that the foregoing were selected and put away out 
 of my own pocket money up to so late a date as 1825. Since 1830 another 
 Trade convenience has been created by the issue of little Copper, Brass, 
 and Gilt Tokens, or Medallets termed " cheques :" they are of the 
 halfpenny and farthing size (chiefly the latter) and represent their 
 nominal value, i|d., 2d., and 3d., and are used nearly always at small 
 taverns, where games are played, to enable the customer, as I am 
 informed, to call in at any subsequent time and have his refreshment to 
 the value indicated. I possess more than twenty different types, dating 
 from 1832 to 1865 inclusive, but they are scarcely worthy of a detailed 
 description on this occasion. When a new tenant comes in he often 
 counter-marks the cheques so as to be answerable only for those issued 
 in his time. G. G. F. 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 
 
 169 
 
 g>me0 of interesting gtattgtica 
 
 ON 
 
 of (Coppet af 
 
 the Books preserved in the MINING RECOKD Office, 
 at Jermyn Street, London. 
 
 COPPER ORES SOLD AT TICKETINGS. 
 
 1804. I4th May, Sold at Swansea 52 Tons. 
 
 1806. I2th June, 62 
 
 20th Oct., 41 
 
 1809. 23rd May, 770 
 
 1810. 1,003 i> 
 
 AGGREGATE PRODUCTIONS FROM THE COPPER MINES 
 
 1875 
 1876 
 1877 
 1878 
 1879 
 1880 
 
 OF THE UNITED 
 
 Ore. 
 
 71, 528 Tons. 
 79,252 
 73^41 
 56,094 
 
 ... 51,032 
 52,128 
 
 KINGDOM. 
 
 Copper. 
 4,323 Tons. 
 
 4,694 
 4,486 
 
 3,952 
 3,462 
 3,662 
 
 COPPERY PYRITES IMPORTED AND TREATED 
 AND PRECIPITATE OBTAINED. 
 
 Ore. Copper. 
 
 1874. Colonial and Foreign, 27,500 Tons. 8,750 Tons. 
 
 Pyrites treated here 450,000 ,, 9,OOO 
 
 1875. Colonial and Foreign, 70,212 16,140 
 
 Pyrites treated here 480,000 9,600 
 
 1876. Colonial and Foreign, 57,959 15,792 
 
 Pyrites treated here 379,269 15,000 
 
 1877. Colonial and Foreign, 109,950 30,750 
 
 Pyrites treated here 425,000 17,000 
 
 1878. Colonial and Foreign, 104,803 . 27,914 
 
 Pyrites treated here 577,719 ,, 14,443 
 1879. Colonial and Foreign, 481,392 
 
 Pyrites treated here 385,874 . 14,158 
 1880. Colonial and Foreign, 658,047 
 
 Pyrites treated here 415,567 . 15,000 ,. 
 
 We learn that the "Widnes Metal Company" have, this year (1881), 
 commenced Smelting their own Copper Precipitate, and we believe 
 some other Works contemplate doing the same. 
 
 We find that in 1880 the "Rio Tinto Company" sent of Spanish 
 Pyrites into the Mersey 138,567 tons, the total import amounting 
 to 280,326 tons. 
 
 ROBERT HUNT, F.R.S. 
 LONDON, October, 1881. 
 
170 
 
 COPPER SMELTING 
 
 AN INTERESTING SPECIMEN OF DETAILS IN 
 COPPER TRADING by the Aristocracy in time of Geo. ist t 
 
 LONDON, AUGUST 20, 1722. 
 
 At a General Court of the Welch Copper 
 Company, held on Thursday last at Sadler's- 
 Hall, (where was a numerous Appearance) 
 his Grace the Duke of Richmond address'd 
 himself to the Proprietors in the following 
 Speech : 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 BY the Minutes of the last General Court, 
 you may observe your Court of Assistants 
 and Committee had purchased several consider- 
 able Mines of Copper, Lead, Tin, and other 
 Minerals; as also convenient Work-houses for 
 Smelting the Ores that should be raised or 
 bought, for which your Court of Assistants 
 contracted to pay I4,ooo/. And in order to 
 raise a Sum to comply with such Payments as 
 were then necessary, the said General Court 
 agreed to a Call of One Pound per Share. 
 
 Your Court of Assistants being willing to 
 contribute every Thing that might tend to the 
 Ease and Service of the Proprietors, thought u 
 would be more agreeable to them to pay the 
 said Call in two Payments, and therefore re- 
 solved to receive at that Time only IQJ. per 
 Share in Money, and three Months after the 
 remaining ioj. in Money or Shares, at 30*. per 
 Share, hoping the Call being made so easy, 
 every Proprietor would chearfully have comply'd 
 therewith. 
 
 But contrary to Expectation, and very much 
 to the Prejudice of the Company, there has 
 beenno more receiv'd upon the Call than 47 367., 
 
 there has been paid 3359/- in Part of the Pur- 
 chase of the Mines, and now remains due 
 10,6417., which your Court of Assistants are 
 not at present in a Condition to pay. 
 
 The Proceedings on the Scire Facias, and the 
 Calamity of the Times, have proved very detri- 
 mental to your Affairs, and may have dis- 
 couraged a great many from paying their Calls : 
 But as the Vigilance and Care of your Assistants 
 have preserved their Charter inviolable, and 
 have removed that heavy and expensive Prose- 
 cution, by His Majesty's most gracious Favour 
 in granting a Nolle Profequi, published in the 
 Gazette the loth of July last ; it is hoped those, 
 who have not complyed with what might justly 
 have been expected from them, will now (all Ob- 
 jections being removed) readily make their Pay- 
 ments, and agree to such Resolutions as may be 
 thought proper for the Interest of the Company. 
 
 By Advices from the Country, and returns 
 of the Money already expended, the Mines which 
 the Company are concerned in, are capable to 
 employ a considerable Number of Men to great 
 Profit, and may be made very extensive, so as 
 to produce such Quantities of Copper, Tin, Lead 
 and Silver, as may make constant Annual 
 Dividends, when a sufficient Sum is raised to 
 carry them on to the best Advantage, which 
 your Court of Assistants and Committee have 
 good Reason to believe they shall easily effect 
 by the following Method : 
 
 I. That a Call be made of 20*. per Share, 
 to be paid in a Month, with a Discount of I2</, 
 
London, Auguft to.'/*** 
 At a General Court of the Welch Copper Company -:\ 
 
 the following Speech : 
 Gentlemen^ 
 
 BY the Minutes of the laft General Court, you 
 may obferve your Court or Affittents aitd Com- 
 rotltee had pur hafed feveral confiderable Mines ot 
 Copper, Lead, Tin, and other Minerals; as alfb con- 
 venient Work-houfcs tor Smelting the Ores that 
 Ihould be raifed or bought, tor which your Court 
 of Afliftants conn-afted to pay $000 1. And in or- 
 der to raife a Sum to comply with fuch Payments as 
 were then neceflary, the faid General Court agreed 
 to a Call of One Pound ftr Shaw. 
 
 Your Court of Aflifhnts being willing to contri- 
 bute every Thing that might tend to the Eafe and 
 Servicfc o' the Proprietors, thought it would be more 
 age<<bie to them to pay the laid Call in two Pay- 
 ments, and therefore refolved to receive at that lime 
 only 10 4. per Share in Money, and three Months 
 after the remaining 10 i. in Money or Shares, at 30*. 
 per Shire, hoping the Call being made Co eafy, every 
 JPfocrietor would cheartuily have comply'd there- 
 with- . * , 
 
 But contrary to Expehtion, and very much to the 
 Prejudice -of the Compiny, there has been m> more 
 r'eceiv'd upon the Call than 4736 /. there has been 
 paid 3359 '1. in Part of the Purchafe of the Mines, 
 and now remains due 10/41 /. which your Court of 
 4,flil\ants are not at prefent in a Condition to pay. 
 . The Proceedings on the Fche Faciat, and the Cala- 
 mity of the Times," Inve proved very detrimental to 
 Vour Aff'irs, and nr.y have diicouraoed a great tinny 
 from "pay ing their Qills : Rut as the Vigilance and 
 Care of yoijr Afiiftancs have preferved their Charter 
 inviolable, and have removed that h.avy and expen 
 five Profecution, by His Mijefty's nv.ft gracious Fa- 
 vour in granting a Nolle Profequi, publith'd in the 
 Gazette the loth of July laft ; it is hoped thofe, who 
 fcave not corapiyed with what might juftly have been 
 <kpeled from them, will now (all Objtihons being 
 removed) readily mike their Payments, and agree to 
 focii Rcfulotions as rmy be thought proper lor the 
 Intereft of the Company. 
 
 By AJ vices h"vm rhe Country, and returns or , the 
 Money alietdy extended, the VTnes whicf) the Com- 
 f iii are concerned in, are capabjeto employ a con- 
 fiderable Number of Men to great, Profit^ and may 
 
 II. That fuch Proprietors who do not comply with 
 his and the former Call within a Month, be Mult 
 
 /. for each Call in Arrear ; and in cafe they Ihould 
 lot pay the faid Calls and Mulcts, that the Court of 
 Uliiiants be dire&ed and impower'd by this General 
 ^ourt to file a Bill in the Court of Chancery or 
 Exchequer, CO oblige fuch Detaulters either to pay 
 51 their Calls, or relinquilh their Shares to the Com- 
 >any. 
 
 III. And whereas the former Calls have not hither, 
 o been complyed with, it is. turther propofed, thac 
 
 he Court of Afliftants be impower'd to difpofe of 
 ny Number of new Shares, Cnot exceeding 5000; 
 n fuch Manner and to fuch Perfons as they fhali 
 Jink fit; but not at lefs than 40 *. per Share, to be 
 ree from this new and former Calls, wirh the Ai- 
 awance of lid. per Share for p'ompt Payment. 
 
 This is the beft Method your Court of Afiiftants 
 ould think of to pot all the prefent Adventurers as 
 lear as poflible upon an equal rooting; for as it 
 i>ould be unrcafonable to expet a Profit without 
 aying the Calls, fo it would be equally unjuft foe 
 ny Perfon to continue an Adventurer at the Ex- 
 ence and Hr.zird of another. 
 
 If any Propiieror Ihould be excluded for not pay- 
 ig the Calls, their Shares wiil be funk to the Bene- 
 it of thofe who comply with the fimc. 
 
 Your Court of DuMtafclfeMlfcifc NeeJfervta tife 
 iy Argunieivs to Ihow the Neceflity ot an Unani- 
 ious Concurrence in the Method propoled, without 
 hicls or fome othtr effeftual Means to rufe Money, 
 
 1 that is already advanced will be in Dangeof be- 
 ig loft; and the well- withers to the Company who 
 ave paid their Calls, can have no Bench":, but an 
 ntire Diiappointment, occafion'd by thofe, who tho' 
 appear delirous to be Adventurers, yet omit pay- 
 
 idends, 
 
 is railed to carry them on to the beft Advantage, 
 which your Court of Afliftants and Committee have 
 good Reafon to believe they Ihill eafily effect by the 
 followit.g Method : . > 
 
 I. Thit a Call be made of 10 1, per Share, to be 
 paid in a Month, with a Difcount or. u L fer Share 
 to fuch Proprietors as pay the faid Call in 15 Days. 
 
 what is Incumbent on them, to the great Preju- 
 ice ot the other Proprietors. 
 
 Tht Money that comes in upon the part and pre- 
 irfnt Call, as alfo by the ic,ooo/. to b: raifed by the 
 .5 kle of 5000 new Shires added to the Stock, will be 
 b ch an effelual Fund, ro work the Mines, and Ma- 
 ,vjjfature the Produce thereof, that the Company 
 uAn't avoid being eftablilh d upon a certain, folid and 
 profitable Foundation, without making future Calls, 
 i)|r uniting with any other Society or Corporation. 
 I An ObjeHon was made againft the Call, but was 
 4!ly removed by the Duke, of Richmoad, Earl ci' 
 Clarendon, Sir R. Knipe,5ir Fimer Tench, Mr VVard 
 tid others ; and then the General Court agreed to 
 c.npower the Court of Afliftants to call in One Pound 
 iar Share, and to fell 5000 new Shares, as propofed 
 Vy them for railing an immediate Sum to carry on the 
 Company's Affairs to the beft Advantage. 
 
 It was remarkable, that when the Queftion was 
 wr by the Governor/ there was but one Hand held 
 ty again ft it. J^^^-^^A 
 
IN GLAMORGANSHIRE. 
 
 171 
 
 per Share to such Proprietors as pay the said 
 Call in 15 Days. 
 
 II. That such Proprietors who do not com- 
 ply with this and the former Call within a 
 Month, be Mulct 2J. for each Call in Arrear } 
 and in case they should not pay the said Calls 
 and Mulcts, that the Court of Assistants be di- 
 rected and impower'd by this General Court to 
 fileaBillin the Court of Chancery or Exchequer, 
 to oblige such Defaulters either to pay up their 
 Calls, or relinquish their Shares to the Company. 
 
 III. And whereas the former Calls have not 
 hitherto been complyed with, it is further pro- 
 posed, that the Court of Assistants be impower'd 
 to dispose of any Number of new Shares, (not 
 exceeding 5000) in such Manner and to such 
 Persons as they shall think fit, but not at less 
 than 4-OJ. per Share, to be free from this new 
 and former Calls, with the Allowance of lid. 
 per Share for prompt Payment. 
 
 This is the best Method your Court of As- 
 sistants could think of to put all the present 
 Adventurers as near as possible upon an equal 
 footing ; for as it would be unreasonable to ex- 
 pect a Profit without paying the Calls, so it 
 would be equally unjust for any Person to con- 
 tinue an Adventurer at the Expence and Hazard 
 of another. 
 
 If any Proprietor should be excluded for not 
 paying the Calls, their Shares will be sunk to 
 the Benefit of those who comply with the same. 
 
 Your Court of Directors thinlf it Needless 
 
 to use any Arguments to show the Necessity 
 of an Unanimous Concurrence in the Method 
 proposed, without which, or some other effectual 
 Means to raise Money, all that is already ad- 
 vanced will be in Danger of being lost j and the 
 weli-wishers to the Company who have paid 
 their Calls, can have no Benefit, but an entire 
 Disappointment, occasion'd by those, who tho' 
 they appear deirous to be Adventurers, yet 
 omit paying what is Incumbent on them, to 
 the great Prejudice of the other Proprietors. 
 
 The Money that comes in upon the past and 
 present Call, as also by the io,ooo/. to be raised 
 by the sale of 5000 new Shares added to the 
 Stock, will be such an effectual Fund, to work 
 the Mines,and Manufacture the Produce thereof, 
 that the Company can't avoid being establish'd 
 upon a certain, solid and profitable Foundation, 
 without making future Calls, or uniting with 
 any other Society or Corporation. 
 
 An Objection was made against the Call, but 
 was fully removed by the Duke of Richmond, 
 Earl of Clarendon, Sir R. Knipe, Sir Fisher 
 Tench, Mr. Ward and others j and then the 
 General Court agreed to empower the Court 
 of Assistants to call in One Pound per Share, 
 and to sell 5000 new Shares, as proposed by 
 them for raising an immediate Sum to carry 
 on the Company's Affairs to the best Advantage. 
 
 It was remarkable, that when the Question 
 was put by the Governor from the Chair, there 
 was but one Hand held up against it. 
 
> 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 JT is in a great degree due to the FACILITIES FOR 
 SHIPPING in Swansea that the COPPER TRADE 
 has established itself there; these facilities have 
 from time to time been greatly improved upon, otherwise, 
 in all probability, or as may be said to be the rule, the trade 
 would have taken to itself wings and have established 
 itself elsewhere. The necessity for Docks in Swansea 
 has always been unquestionable, but the port seems 
 to have enjoyed in times past the sometimes questionable 
 advantage of being the subject of numerous consulta- 
 tions; at the same time the want of the gift of clear 
 prevision, as shewn by the Swansea Harbour Trustees, has 
 caused Bristol to lose its chance and its position among the 
 great ports of the COUNTRY ; and on the opposite coast the 
 time was when Bideford was the largest western port in 
 England, in the days of the Armada sending more ships 
 to fight the Spaniards than any other in Her Majesty's 
 dominions. 
 
 The first gentleman consulted was Captain Huddart, F.R.S., 
 whose name is very familiar to practical engineers of the present 
 day, though living in the beginning of the present century, and 
 it seems his opinion was often sought by Harbour Authorities 
 
174 SWANSEA HARBOUK. 
 
 and was said to attend to these things principally for 
 amusement, never making a charge. The Swansea Harbour 
 Trustees composed, as far as we can gather, of the following 
 gentlemen of the Town, viz. : 
 
 SURVIVING REPRESENTATIVE TRUSTEES. 
 RICHARD Row. WILLIAM PADLEY. 
 
 WILLIAM JEFFREYS. RICHARD PHILLIPS. 
 
 WM. GROVE. DAVID ROWLAND. 
 
 C. R. JONES. CHARLES COLLINS. 
 
 ROB. PRANCE. THOMAS LOTT. 
 
 GRIFF. JENKINS. GRIFFITH HITCHINGS. 
 
 GEORGE HAYNES. 
 LORD VERNON, Representative Trustee. 
 
 thereupon Resolved that "if it would appear that Captain 
 Huddart had made surveys for the improvement of harbours, 
 and that work has been done in consequence of them, he 
 should be offered fifty guineas beyond his expenses." 
 
 One of the first things Captain Huddart mentions in the 
 Report consequent upon this Resolution was that " Dispatch 
 is the life of Trade, and is the general principal next to 
 safety that gives one port an advantage over another, provided 
 the internal situation is much the same, dispatch in the end, 
 finds its own account, as all detention ultimately falls upon 
 the freight." From the situation of Swansea in the Bristol 
 Channel, and the large mineral manufacturing district with 
 which it is connected, it must at all times command a very 
 large portion of the Trade of South Wales, which admits of 
 almost unlimited extension. It has been remarked that she 
 possesses advantages which are denied to other ports, and it 
 rests with those to whose hands her interests are committed 
 to turn them to proper account. 
 
 Prior to this, the first Trustees of Swansea Harbour, 
 appointed so far back as i?qi, promptly erected a doubled 
 
SWANSEA HARBOUR. 175 
 
 beacon on the Mumbles Head, which marked out Swansea 
 and the direction of the Harbour. From that time down to 
 the present day it has always been stated, in the first instance, 
 by the Admiralty Surveyors as an important fact that 
 Swansea Harbour is always accessible to strangers that may 
 arrive in the Bay when blowing too strong for pilots to 
 get off. 
 
 Under the fostering care of the Swansea Harbour Trustees 
 the Port has grown to its present magnitude and in con- 
 nection with which there is no beneficial interest whatever to 
 the twenty-six Trustees, the Swansea Harbour Trust being 
 governed much upon the same principle as the Mersey Dock 
 and Harbour Board except that in the case of the latter 
 there is no one lesponsible head to whom all can refer 
 or confer with, hence it is not surprising that Liverpool 
 has found, and is finding every day, that there is strong 
 competition from South Wales, for this Officer can act 
 promptly where the exigencies of the trade or the working 
 of the Harbour require immediate decision. Every exertion 
 has been made to improve the present capability of 
 the Port by deepening the entrance of the channel, and by 
 providing a new dock which may be entered by the largest 
 ships upon any tide of the year. The central stone of the lock 
 of this New Dock was laid with great public rejoicing by 
 H. Hussey Vivian, Esq., M.P., on the 3ist of March, 1880, 
 and in his speech at the public banquet afterwards 
 he made the following interesting statement : " The 
 geographical position of Swansea is manifestly as good 
 as it possibly can be. The distance from Lundy Island 
 to the pier head at Swansea is but 40 miles east, 
 while to the Bute Docks it is 60, and 75 to Newport. 
 Taking into consideration the time of the tide flowing, 
 and presuming a vessel to sustain a speed of 10 knots 
 from Lundy Island, one third of the vessels passing 
 
176 SWANSEA HARBOUR. 
 
 up the channel would save a tide by coming to Swansea 
 only. A vessel coming into Swansea would leave Swansea 
 seven hours sooner than Cardiff and be that much further 
 on her way. He hoped soon we should have an improved 
 light at the Mumbles. When that is done there will 
 be very few nights in the year when a ship would not 
 be able to make the Port of Swansea without anchoring 
 at all." Another fact sometimes lost sight of is, that bad 
 weather prevails more at full and change of the moon than at 
 spring tides and at neap tides. It naturally follows favourable 
 opportunities of beating to sea are often lost for want of 
 water at the neaps ; another fact is that the range of tide at 
 Swansea not being so great as it is at Cardiff and Newport, 
 the fall of the tides at the latter place for example being 
 nearly half as fast again as at Swansea, presents an element 
 of danger of no mean character ; more time is necessarily at 
 command at Swansea on tide for the working of the Harbour, 
 and vessels are not detained in the roadstead until they 
 receive official permission to enter the Dock as is the case at 
 Cardiff. The "Economist ' Newspaper last year draws special 
 attention to the rapid growth of the Port of Swansea, which 
 the New Dock is designed *o continue, and notwithstanding 
 the great depression, it gives the figuies of the great increase 
 in the shipping trade, remarking that in 1850 the capacity of 
 ships entering Swansea but little exceeded a quarter of a 
 million tons, while in 1876 it reached a'million tons, and the 
 "Economist" was of opinion that Swansea appeared destined 
 to rise yet higher in the scale of our home shipping ports, 
 though not in the slightest degree depreciating the character- 
 istics or local utility of other ports in the Bristol Channel. 
 It is obvious that in these days of complete railway com- 
 munication the port lying nearest to the sea commanding at 
 its entrance sufficient depth of water, possesses special 
 advantages whicti only require energy and the well directed 
 
SWANSEA ' HARBOUR. 177 
 
 expenditure of capital to turn to the proper account, a well 
 constructed harbour being something more than a mere 
 speculative undertaking, for it is almost certain to bring vast 
 wealth, power, and influence to the city with which it is 
 connected. The Trustees now desire by economy and good 
 management to draw a trade to the port and not drive it away 
 by heavy taxation ; they have repeatedly reduced materially 
 their rates on shipping and goods, and it may be asserted they 
 would never have been so liberal towards the public if they 
 were not themselves, as a body, in affluent circumstances. 
 The public, never a very thoughtful body, view with jealousy 
 the prosperity of any such body and impute it to their (the 
 public) patronage, but the truth is, it is more generally 
 due to good and careful management ', and especially to 
 economy in their capital expenditure. 
 
 Swansea has been referred to by' the London Press 
 of late as "a very Fortunate Town," and it will be a matter 
 of surprise if it does not secure a share, and perhaps 
 the larger share, of the Bristol Channel Trade ; the 
 "Coal and Iron Trade Review" remarking that Swansea 
 has, in some quarters, long been credited with taking 
 but a secondary part, as an Export, of one of the largest 
 manufacturing districts of the kingdom, will, from the near 
 date of the opening of new East Dock, prove to do so no 
 longer, for these are days when merchants and ship owners 
 will seek and secure facilities for the prosecution of their 
 business regardless of all local and inferior considerations. 
 
 There is no other harbour in the Kingdom where 
 such an amount of work is done on a given space as 
 at SWANSEA. 
 
 The County of Glamorgan contains nearly one-third of 
 the whole population of Wales. 
 
 The acreage of the County is one-eighth of the whole. 
 
 Its gross rental is one-half of the entire Principality! 
 
 N 
 
178 
 
 SWANSEA HARBOUR. 
 
 And the population of Swansea is one-fifth of that of 
 the County of Glamorgan. Important proportions to 
 remember, and, if correct, to base calculations upon. 
 
 The rates levied on Shipping are the same as they were 
 25 years ago, on the average 6d. per ton nett register all 
 round, whilst at Liverpool during the same period they have 
 increased to over nd. 
 
 This brief notice may be concluded by adding a list of the 
 Trustees in office at the three great epochs in the History of 
 the Harbour, 1851, 1859, and 1872, beyond those already 
 embodied as holding office on the 24th June, 1791, des- 
 cribed as the Surviving Representative Trustees at p. 174. 
 
 NORTH DOCK, OPENED JANUARY ist, 1851. 
 The DUKE OF BEAUFORT, K.G. MARQUIS OF WORCESTER. 
 P\ P. HOOPER. FRANCIS PRICE. 
 
 J. G. JEFFREYS. C. COLLINS. 
 
 A. MURRAY. 
 
 RICHARD AUBREY. 
 HENRY BATH. 
 L. W. DILLWYN. 
 DAVID FRANCIS. 
 P. S. GRENFELL. 
 C. R. JONES. 
 J. W. JAMES. 
 JAS. POOLEY. 
 C. H. SMITH. 
 H. H. VIVIAN. 
 W. WALTERS. 
 
 Proprietary 
 
 THOS. S. BENSON. 
 STARLING BENSON. 
 L. L. DILLWYN. 
 R. D. GOUGH. 
 CHRISTOPHER JAMES. 
 W. MARTIN. 
 G. B. MORRIS. 
 JOHN RICHARDSON. 
 JOHN J. STRICK. 
 J. H. VIVIAN. 
 THOS. WALTERS. 
 
 MICHAEL WILLIAMS. 
 
 S. BENSON. 
 G. G. BIRD. 
 W. K. EATON. 
 T. B. ESSERY. 
 G. GRANT-FRANCIS, 
 JOHN OAKSHOT. 
 THOS. OWEN. 
 E. M, RICHARDS. 
 
 Corporation - 
 
 JOHN GLASBROOK. 
 T. GLOVER. 
 W. HALLAM. 
 J. W. JAMES. 
 M. J. MICHAEL. 
 C. H. SMITH. 
 W. H. SMITH. 
 T. E. THOMAS. 
 
 OWEN G. WILLIAMS, 
 
SWANSEA HARBOUR. 179 
 
 Of the above there are present Members of the Trust 
 
 H. H. VIVIAN. L. L. DILLWVN. 
 
 JOHN GLASBROOK. FRANCIS PRICE. 
 
 Living, but not now Members of the Trust 
 
 OWEN G. WILLIAMS. G. GRANT-FRANCIS. 
 
 SOUTH DOCK OPENED SEPTEMBER 23rd, 1859. 
 
 Trustees 
 
 STARLING BENSON. JOHN "W. JAMES. 
 
 F. P. HOOPER. CHAS. COLLINS. 
 
 RICHARD HALL. FRANCIS PRICE. 
 
 JOHN GASKOIN. JAMES P. BUDD. 
 
 H. H. VIVIAN. JOHN JOSE STRICK. 
 
 C. H. SMITH. SYDNEY HALL. 
 
 D. FRANCIS. THOS. ELFORD. 
 P. S. GRENFELL. HY. J. BATH. 
 
 L. Lc DlLLWYN. 
 
 Corporation 
 
 T. E. THOMAS. J. TREV. JENKIN. 
 
 E. M. RICHARDS. J. ROLLEY TRIPP. 
 JOHN HOARE. J. C. RICHARDSON. 
 JOHN GLASBROOK. GEO. B. STRICK. 
 
 JOHN OAKSHOT. 
 
 Of the above there are now Trustees 
 
 FRANCIS PRICE. JOHN GASKOIN. 
 
 H. H. VIVIAN. L. L. DILLWYN. 
 
 JOHN GLASBROOK. J. C. RICHARDSON. 
 
 GEORGE B. STRICK. 
 
 Now living but not now Trustees 
 
 J. TREV. JENKIN. JAS. P. BUDD. 
 
 The oldest Trustee is L. L. Dillwyn, 1840. 
 
 \ 
 
 The next oldest, H. H. Vivian, 1848. 
 
180 
 
 SWANSEA HARBOUR. 
 
 TRUSTEES, 1872. 
 
 Ex-Officio. 
 
 CHARLES BAKER. EDW. STRICK. 
 
 R. HALL. FRANCIS PRICE. 
 
 JOHN GASKOIN. 
 
 STARLING BENSON. 
 H. H. VIVIAN. 
 W. H. FRANCIS. 
 SYDNEY HALL. 
 P. S. GRENFELL. 
 HY. J. BATH. 
 
 W. H. BROWN. 
 THOMAS DAVIES. 
 J. JONES JENKINS. 
 M. MOXHAM. 
 
 Proprietary 
 
 J. P. BUDD. 
 
 C. H. SMITH. 
 J. GLASBROOK. 
 G. B. STRICK. 
 ALFRED STERRY. 
 L. L. DILLWYN. 
 
 Corporation 
 
 E. R. DANIEL. 
 THOMAS FORD. 
 J. LIVINGSTON. 
 T. PHILLIPS. 
 FRANK ASH YEO. 
 
 Of these, the following are still Trustees 
 
 C. BAKER. 
 F. PRICE. 
 
 H. H. VIVIAN. 
 JOHN GLASBROOK. 
 
 E. R. DANIEL. 
 T. FORD. 
 
 Ex-O/icio 
 
 ED. STRICK. 
 JOHN GASKOIN. 
 
 Proprietary 
 
 W. H. FRANCIS. 
 G. B. STRICK. 
 L. L. DILLWYN. 
 
 Corporation 
 
 T. DAVIES. 
 
 J. JONES JENKINS. 
 F. A. YEO. 
 
 Living, but no longer Trustees 
 
 J. P. BUDD. W. H. BROWN. 
 
 J. LIVINGSTON. M. MOXHAM, 
 
 T. PHILLIPS. 
 
SWANSEA- HARBOUR. 181 
 
 TRUSTEES, 1881. 
 
 Ex-Officio 
 
 THE EARL OF JERSEY, J.P. CHARLES BAKER. 
 
 EDWARD STRICK. FRANCIS PRICE, J.P. 
 
 JOHN GASKOIN. 
 
 Proprietary 
 CHARLES BATH, J.P. THOMAS FORD, J.P., Alderman. 
 
 JNO. RICHARDSON FRANCIS, J.P. 
 FRANK ASH YEO, J.P., Alderman. HY. HUSSEY VIVIAN, M.P., J.P. 
 
 JNO. JONES JENKINS, J.P., Alderman, MAYOR. 
 
 THOMAS CORY, J.P. LEWIS LLEWELYN DILLWYN, M.P., J.P. 
 
 WM. HARRIES FRANCIS. JOHN GLASBROOK, J.P. 
 
 JNO. CROW RICHARDSON, J.P., HIGH SHERIFF. 
 
 GEO. BURDEN STRICK, J.P. 
 
 Corporation 
 
 EDWARD BATH. ED. HENRY BATH. 
 
 ROBT. DICKSON BURNIE. Eow. RICE DANIEL, J.P., Alderman. 
 
 THOMAS DAVIES, Alderman. WM. FRED. RICHARDS, J.P. 
 
 JOHN CADY. WM. ROBINSON SMITH. 
 
 WM. THOMAS, J.P., Alderman. 
 
182 SWANSEA HARBOUR. 
 
 OFFICERS, &c. 
 
 ROBERT CAPPER, Assoc. Inst. C.E., 
 
 General Superintendent of the Docks, Railways, and Estate ; 
 Royal Commissioner on Tonnage, 
 
 Clerk and Solicitor 
 FRANCIS JAMES. 
 
 Treasurers. 
 
 THE GLAMORGANSHIRE BANKING COMPANY. 
 
 Engineer-in Chief 
 
 JAMES ABERNETHY, F.R.S.E., Pres. Inst C.E., 
 4, Delahay Street, Westminster. 
 
 Resident Engineer 
 AUGUSTUS JAMES SCHENK. 
 
 Cashier Accountant 
 
 JAMES CHARLES COKE. WILLIAM HOSKINS. 
 
 Collector Auditor 
 
 ROBERT JOHN MURPHY. GEORGE ALLEN. 
 
 Harbour Master 
 ROBERT CAPPER, F.R.G.S. 
 
 Deputy Harbour Master 
 JOHN ROSSER. 
 
 Harbour Master's Assistants 
 GEORGE ROSSER. SAMUEL HARMAN. 
 
 JOHN BEVAN. JOHN WOODMAN. 
 
 Foreman of Works Keeper of Pier Light 
 
 ALEXANDER RITCHIE. JAMES W. TURPIE. 
 
 Keeper of Mumbles Light 
 ABRAHAM ACE, 
 
Aberavon Copper Works 
 Aberthaw Lime 
 Acid Chambers at Hafod 
 Acts of Parliament 
 
 PAGE. 
 96, 103 
 
 ... 112 
 
 . 155 
 11 II 
 
 Action against English Copper Com- 
 pany 143, 159 
 
 Admiralty, adoption of Muntz's Metal 
 
 by 123 
 
 Adventurers. See For*anale Adventurers. 
 Alexandra (H.R.H. the Pnncess), 
 
 Armorials of 172 
 
 Alum, an evil humour in Copper, &c. 33, 60 
 
 Amlwch Copper Works 136 
 
 Anglesea Copper Mines 78, 122, 133 
 Anne, Queen ... v., 84, 9092, 105 
 
 Antimony, an evil humour in Copper 32 
 
 Appendix 151 
 
 Argentiferous Ores and Early Smelters 1 3 
 Aristocracy, Copper Trading by ... 170 
 Arms, Heraldic, of Companies, &c. 
 
 [79. 89, 130, 15} 
 
 of Wales ( H.R. H. the Prince's), iii., 89 
 
 Arsenic, an evil humour in Copper ... 31 
 
 , utilization of 147 
 
 Arsenic and Copper Company ... 14^) 
 
 Ashburnham, Lord 144 
 
 Assay of Copper and Silver 13 
 
 Assay Master (Wm. Humphrey), 
 
 grant to 58 
 
 "Assays" of Lazarus Ecker 70, 72 
 Associated Millers of Cornwall ..126 
 
 PAGF. 
 
 Bacon, Sir Nicholas ... 7 
 
 Bankart and Sons I44> H5 
 
 Bank-y-Gockus Copper Works 101, 147 
 
 Barclay, Mr ...... 145 
 
 Barnz, Alderman 35 
 
 Bath, E , -. '44 
 
 Bath and Company I 3 
 
 "Battery," meaning of 57 
 
 See Mineral and Battery Works. 
 
 Beaufort, Duchess of ... I J 9 
 
 Beaufort, Duke of, 87, 99, 112, 126, 
 
 [136, 141, 144, ! 55 
 Beaufort Iron Plate Company ... in 
 
 Bedford, Duke of 7<> 
 
 Bedfordshire, Mine in 73 
 
 Betts, Mr '35 
 
 Bevan, Messrs 98, 1 20, 130 
 
 Bigg,T "8 
 
 Birmingham Copper Company 127, 131 
 
 Rose Copper Company 131 
 
 and Risca Copper Company ... 135 
 
 Black Copper ... 20, 27, 33 
 
 Black-lead Pencils 73 
 
 " Black Raven," Southwark 87 
 
 Black Stone, an evil humour in Copper 33 
 
 Black Vale Copper Works 145 
 
 Boards and Directors 86 
 
 Bokellye, in Cornwall 4 
 
 Bond, Sir W 64 
 
 Bone Ashes, sent from London ... 73 
 Box, G., of Liege 73 
 
184 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Brass (or Latten) 39, 57, 74 
 
 Battery Company 79 
 
 Melters 94 
 
 Trade Tokens 161 
 
 Wire Works 102, 131 
 
 Works 74, 122 
 
 Breton, Mr 91 
 
 Brewer, Mackworth v. 8 1 
 
 Bridgewater, coals sent to . . ... 84 
 
 Bristol, lead from 85, 90 
 
 Bristol Brass and Copper Co . 102, 133 
 
 Brass Wire Company 102 
 
 Brass Works 122 
 
 Channel Trade ... 177 
 
 Copper Works ... 102 
 
 British Copper Company 129 
 
 British Museum, Documents, &c., 
 
 in 74, 81, 99 
 
 Briton Ferry Copper Works 145 
 
 Bullion sent from Neath to London... 96 
 
 Burd, W 35 
 
 Burgh, J 87, 98 
 
 Burleigh, Lord. . . 35, 37 
 
 Bushel, Mr 73 
 
 Bwaple, J 17, 148 
 
 C. 
 
 Cabinet of Coins and Medals (the 
 
 Author's) 161 
 
 Cadoxtan j. Neath 68 
 
 Csesar, Sir Julius 63 
 
 Calamine ... 57, 58, 74 
 
 Calbeck Mines 25, 28, 29 
 
 " Calcator," an evil humour in Copper, 
 
 &c 32, 72 
 
 " Cambrian," letters to ... 99, 151 
 
 Cambrian Copper Works 142 
 
 * Pottery Works 96,99, 102 
 
 Charles II., 
 of 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Cape Copper Mining Company ... 14: 
 Cape of Good Hope Copper Ores ... 14' 
 Cardiganshire, Lead Mines, &c., in, 73, 8^ 
 Carew, the Cornish Historian vii., ] 
 
 Carmac and Company "]i 
 
 Carnesew, J i! 
 
 Carnsewe, W I, 6, 9 2\ 
 
 Cash Notes 131 
 
 Cecil, Mr. Secretary 2\ 
 
 , Robert Lord 6, 
 
 Centres of Copper Smelting io< 
 
 Chad wick's "De Foe " quoted ... 8 
 
 Chambers, T 8: 
 
 and Company 7! 
 
 Charcoal 20, 6; 
 
 Mines Royal" in reign 
 
 3 
 
 Charters, Royal. See under Names 
 
 of Sovereigns. 
 Cheadle Copper Works ...36, 78, 12, 
 
 Children, education of poor 8 
 
 Chimneys, great ... ... 142, 14- 
 
 Chauncy, Mr 8; 
 
 Clarendon, Earl of 17 
 
 Clark, Sir C 10 
 
 Clyne Wood Copper Works... ... 14. 
 
 Coal, in connection with a lease ... 14; 
 of Neath, &c., 42, 82, 85, 91, 117 
 
 "Coal and Iron Trade Review," 
 
 quoted I/; 
 
 Coins and Medals, 73, 89, 102, 121, 16] 
 
 See Copper Coinage. 
 Common Seals of Companies 
 
 Cooper, Lord Ashley 
 
 Copies of this Work, presented 
 
 Copper 34, 57 
 
 Copper Cakes 12; 
 
 Coinage ... .*. .*. 102. 12! 
 
INDEX. 
 
 185 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Copper Companies 57, 78 
 
 Furnaces 75 
 
 Houses 131 
 
 Miners' Company, 82, 104, 105, 142, 
 
 [143 
 
 Mines .. 29, 169 
 
 Ores 10, 24, 33, 74, 83, 121, 169 
 
 Pyrites 169 
 
 Refiner; &c 20, 24 
 
 Roste 20, 27, 33 
 
 Sales 169 
 
 Slags 8l, 130 
 
 Smelting... viL, I, 27, 78, 99, 133 
 
 " Copper Smelting," by J. H. Vivian 138 
 Smoke, 75, no, 123, 137, 142, 151, 
 
 Stone 
 
 Tokens ... 
 
 Trade ... 35, 
 
 Trading, by the 
 
 Copper Works : 
 
 Aberavon ... 
 
 Amlwch ... 
 
 Anglesea ... 
 
 Bank-y-Gockus 
 
 Birmingham 
 
 Black Vale 
 
 Bristol 
 
 British 
 
 Briton Ferry 
 
 Cambrian ... 
 
 Cheadle ... 
 
 Clyne Wood 
 
 Crown 
 
 Cwmavan ... 
 
 Cwmbwrlais 
 
 Danygraig... 
 
 English 78, 8 1, 
 
 27 
 
 79, 124135, 161 
 
 , 121, 148, 149, 173 
 
 Aristocracy ... 170 
 
 96, 103 
 
 136 
 
 78, 122, 133 
 
 101, 147 
 
 127, 131, 135 
 
 145 
 
 102, 133 
 
 I2 9 
 
 145 
 
 142 
 
 36, 78, 124 
 
 145 
 
 I2 5 
 
 loo, 142, 144 
 
 145 
 
 145, 146 
 
 102, 142, 143, 159 
 
 PAGE. 
 Copper Works continued. 
 
 Entral ............ 75 
 
 Forest ......... no, 113 
 
 Fortunate Adventurers ...... 86 
 
 Governor and Company ... 75, 81 
 
 75, 77, 86, 102 
 
 ..126, 127, 136, 153155 
 
 78, 132 
 
 75 
 
 29, 72 
 144 
 
 Gnoll 
 
 Hafod 
 
 Harfords' 
 
 Hayle 
 
 Keswick 
 
 Lamberts' 
 
 Landore, 96, 101, 102, 127, 129, 146 
 
 Lane's ...... 96, 100, 101 
 
 LaxeyNeath ......... 125 
 
 Little Landore ......... 146 
 
 Liverpool ............ 78 
 
 Llanelly ......... 100. 134 
 
 Llangavelach, 99, 106, no, in, 146 
 
 Llansamlet ...... 146, 148 
 
 Loughor ......... 100, 136 
 
 Mackworths', 76, 77, 80 96, 102, 105 
 
 Margam ............ 96 
 
 Mason and Elkington's ...... 144 
 
 Melincrethyn ...... 75, 102 
 
 Merry's ............ 146 
 
 Middle Bank 117, 120, 121, 126 
 
 Mine Adventurers 8082, 102 
 Mineral and Battery, 14, 37, 40, 
 
 [57, 58, So 
 Mines Royal, 6, 27, 35, 37, 40, 
 
 [57, 6879, I4 2 
 
 Monmouthshire ... 74, 134, 155 
 
 Morfa ............ 141 
 
 Nant-ryd-y-vilais ......... 130 
 
 Neath. See Neath. 
 
 Newlyn ............ 74 
 
 Old Forest ......... 155 
 
 Pattens' ......... 35 73 
 
 
 
186 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Copper Works continued. 
 
 Pembrey 100, 144 
 
 Penclawdd 100, 125, 136, 137 
 
 Port Talbot 143 
 
 Port Tenant 144 
 
 Redbrook 74, 81, 82, 102 
 
 Red Jacket 144, 145 
 
 RioTinto 169 
 
 Risca Union 134, 135 
 
 Rose 77, 78, 127, 128 
 
 Saint Helen's 124 
 
 Screw's Hole 102 
 
 Spitty 136 
 
 Swansea. See Swansea. 
 
 Taibach 75, 82, 96, 100 105, 153 
 
 Tawe River 146 
 
 Thompson's ... 147 
 
 Union 134, 135 
 
 Upper Bank 120, 121 
 
 White Rock ... 115, 132, 133 
 
 Yorkshire 78 
 
 Copperas 27, 60 
 
 Corisumlock Mine ... ... ... 73 
 
 Cornelius, J 120, 121 
 
 Cornwall, Copper Ores. &c., of, 24, 102, 
 
 [122, 126. 133, 148 
 
 Corporation of Neath and Companies 94 
 
 Coster, T, 116119 
 
 Coventry Tokens ... 164 
 
 Criminals, as Workmen in Mines ... 88 
 
 Crown Copper Works 125 
 
 Culverwell 35 
 
 Cumberland Copper Ores 26 
 
 Customer Smythe. See Smythe. 
 
 Cwmavan Copper Works TOO, 142, 144 
 
 Cwmbwrlais Copper Works ... ... 145 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Daniel, Mr. (probably Daniel Hoechstetter). 
 See Hoechstetter. 
 
 , Nevill, and Company 100 
 
 Daniell, Mr 2836 
 
 Daniels, Messrs. 133, 134 
 
 Danygraig Copper Works ... 145, 146 
 
 Davies, J 93 
 
 Davy, Sir Humphry, on copper smoke 137 
 De Foe, on extracting silver from lead 81 
 
 Deldon, Van 42 
 
 Demetrius ... ... ... 42, 73, 74 
 
 Denham, Mr 7, 8, 
 
 Dickenson, J 
 
 Dillwyn, Mr. L. L 
 
 Dinorben, Lord 
 
 Dovey, ore from 
 
 Doyley, Mr 
 
 " Drapier's Letters " quoted... 
 
 Ducket, Alderman 
 
 , Ant 
 
 , G. 
 
 15-23 
 ... 127 
 ... 179 
 . 133 
 
 85, 95 
 ... 126 
 
 ... 103 
 
 35 
 
 . 35 
 
 ... 35 
 
 ... 6 
 
 ... 35 
 
 ... 147 
 vi., 3. 24 
 68, 125 
 
 Duckett, SirL. 
 
 Dudley, J 
 
 Dues of Swansea Borough 
 | Dutch (or German) Miners 
 j Dynevor, Lord 
 
 E. 
 
 Eaglebush Family 83 
 
 East India Company, exportation of 
 
 copper by 122 
 
 " Economist " quoted 176 
 
 Edgecom, Mr 5 
 
 Edmond, W 69, 78, 101, in 
 
 Edmondson's " Complete Body of 
 
 D. 
 
 Daehne, Mr, 
 
 tS'5 
 
 Heraldry" quoted ... 
 Edward IV. 
 
 79 
 
 70, 98 
 
 Elizabeth, Queen v., vi., viii., 23, 24^ 
 [38, 58, 69-72, 101, 121, 148 
 
INDEX. 
 
 187 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Elkington, Mr 100 
 
 Elton, Sir A 102 
 
 English Copper Company 78, 81, 102, 
 [142, 143, 159 
 
 Entral Copper Works 75 
 
 Ercker, Lazarus, the metallurgist, 70 72 
 
 Esher, wire works at 73 
 
 Evans, D. ... 83 
 
 Evans, Sir H 83, 85 
 
 Evans's " Tours in South Wales " 
 quoted Ill, 124, 131 
 
 F. 
 
 Faraday, Prof., on copper smoke ... 137 
 
 Fazakerly, N 100 
 
 Feeld, M 35 
 
 Fire Bricks 12 1 
 
 Fleet Prison, Pettus imprisoned in ... 71 
 
 Forest, T 94, 127, 131 
 
 Forest Copper Works ... no, 113 
 
 Tin-Plate Works ill 
 
 Zinc Manufactory in 
 
 Fortunate Adventurers, committee of 86 
 
 Foster, Sir W 136 
 
 Freeman and Company ... 78, 131 
 
 Frosse, Ulricke 224, 69, 12 1, 148 
 
 Fuel (Patent) Works 151 
 
 Furnaces 90, 146 
 
 G. 
 
 Gamage, Alderman 
 
 , W. 
 
 Gaunse, Jochim 
 George I. 
 
 - 35 
 ... 42 
 
 2434 
 ... 170 
 
 German Miners. See Dutch Miners. 
 Germans, in relation to Metallurgy, vi., 24, 
 [74, 94, 138, 155, 156 
 Gerstenhofer's Patent... 75, 154 158 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Gibbon, Edward (ancestor of the 
 
 Historian) ...... 102, 107, 108 
 
 Glamorganshire, population, &c., of 177 
 
 - , smelting furnaces in ...... 84 
 
 Glascott and Sons ......... 142 
 
 Glasmount Works (view of) ...... 104 
 
 Gloucestershire, lapis calaminaris, &c., 
 
 in ............ 73, 74 
 
 Gnoll Castle, papers at ... 86,88 
 
 - Copper Works, &c. 75, 77, 86, 102 
 Gode's Gifte Myne ......... 25 
 
 Gold, in connection with Copper ... 147 
 
 - , tenth part of, to the Queen ... 39 
 
 - Mines in Bedfordshire and 
 Gloucestershire ......... 73 
 
 Goldsmith's Mark on Neath Maces ... 93 
 Governor and Company of Copper 
 
 Miners ......... 75, 81 
 
 Grenfell, Messrs. 75, 122, 123, 128, 142 
 Grose's " Tour " quoted ...... 74 
 
 Guardians and Governors of Mines for 
 
 Edward IV. and Henry VII. ... 70 
 
 Guest, Mr ......... ... 134 
 
 Gurlt's Smoke Process ...... 123 
 
 Gwyn, F. ............ 89 
 
 H. 
 Hadland, Mr ............. 146 
 
 Hafod Copper Works... 126, 127, 136* 
 
 - Phosphate Works ...... 154 
 
 Halifax, Marquis of ...... 69, 70 
 
 Hall, Colonel ............ 103 
 
 Hall's "Book of South Wales" 
 quoted ...... 101, 103, no 
 
 Hallam, Mr ............. in 
 
 Hanbury, Mr ............. 77 
 
 Harfords and Company ... 78, 132 
 
188 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Hawkins' " Silver Coins of England " 
 
 quoted 89 
 
 Hawkins, T 87, 95 
 
 Hayle, copper furnaces at 75 
 
 Hayward, J 95, 96 
 
 Henry VII 70 
 
 Herald's College. See Arms. 
 
 Bering, H 8, 9, 16 
 
 Hermann, B. S 153 
 
 Herae, Sir J 104, 121 
 
 Herrmann, G. B 138 
 
 Hoechstetter (Hechstetter, or Hog- 
 
 stetter), Messrs. 25, 36, 38, 40, 42, 60 
 Holland, copper kettles, &c., from ... 122 
 
 Hooper, F. P loi 
 
 Plopkins, L ,. 93 
 
 House of Commons' Committee on 
 
 Copper Trade 121 
 
 Huddai t, Captain 173 
 
 Humby, Mr 125 
 
 Humphrey, W. 39.5864 
 
 Hunt, Mr. Robert 32, 169 
 
 Hussey, R 136 
 
 I. 
 
 Illustrations, List of x. 
 
 Imprison, power of companies to ... 66 
 
 Ireland, coinage for ... 102 
 
 , copper ores from 103 
 
 , cruelties in ... 103 
 
 Iron, an evil humour in copper ... 33 
 
 , making of, with pit coal ... 94 
 
 Bars and Rails 143 
 
 Wire Mills 73 
 
 James 1 14, 38-40, 57 
 
 Jennings, Mr 145, 146 
 
 Jersey, Earl of 87, 116, 122, 126, 
 
 [136, 141 145, [48 
 
 PAGE, 
 Jochim, Mr. See Gaunse, Jochim. 
 
 John Bevan's Works 120 
 
 Jones, C 136 
 
 , P 1 06 
 
 Juries, exemption of officers of mining 
 
 company from serving on 66 
 
 Justices of the Peace, complaints 
 
 against 82 85 
 
 K. 
 
 Karwethers, H 18 
 
 Keates, Mr. 36, 77, 78, 102, 107, 
 
 [116, 124, 125, 128, 135, 136 
 
 Kebulls of Copper Ore 25 
 
 Kent House Lead Works 126 
 
 Keswick Copper Mines ... 29, 72 
 
 Kilvey Manor 119 
 
 Knight's " England " quoted ... 103 
 
 Knipe, Sir R 171 
 
 L. 
 
 Lambert, C 144 
 
 Lancaster, Sir J. 64 
 
 Landore Alkali Works 153 
 
 Arsenic and Copper Company... 146 
 
 Copper Works 96, 101, 102, 
 
 [127, 129 
 
 Tin-plate Works ... 99, 101 
 
 Lane, Dr 96, 100, 101 
 
 Langfforde, W. ... 15 
 
 Lapis Calaminaris 39 
 
 Latten 39, 43, 57, 58 
 
 Laxey Neath Company 125 
 
 Lead, extracting silver from 81 
 
 , refining of 91 
 
 at Dovey 95 
 
 , in connection with Copper 
 
 Smelting 147 
 
 and Silver Smelting Works 84, 142 
 
INDEX. 
 
 189 
 
 Lead Mines 72, 73 
 
 Ore, smelting of 
 
 Ledes, R 
 
 Leeds, Duke of 
 
 Leicester, Earl of 
 
 Leigh, Capei 
 
 Le Play 
 
 Litharge 
 
 Little Landore Copper Works 
 Little Taunton (Gloucestershire), 
 
 mine at 
 
 Li\-erpool. Copper Works near 
 - City, heraldic device of ... 
 Llanelly Copper Works 
 Llangavelach Copper Works 99, 
 
 Llangennech Estate 
 
 Llansaralet Copper Works . 
 
 Lockwood Messrs 
 
 , Morris, and Company ... 
 
 Logan Copper Mine 
 
 Logan. Sir W. E 
 
 Loughor Copper Works 
 River 
 
 PAGE. 
 , 84, 120 
 
 ... 83 
 
 ... 25 
 
 8l, 88 
 
 35 
 ... 76 
 ... 157 
 83,87 
 ... 146 
 gold 
 
 ... 73 
 
 ... 78 
 
 ... 127 
 
 100, 134 
 
 106, 1 10, 
 
 [in, 146 
 
 ... 136 
 
 146, 148 
 
 102, 115 
 
 78, ioi 
 
 [110, III 
 
 10, 14 
 
 ... II- 
 
 100, 136 
 
 .. 126 
 
 M. 
 
 Maces and Seal of Neath 93 
 
 Mackworth Family, 76, 77, 8096, 102, 
 
 [105 
 
 v. Brewer 81 
 
 Malkin, Dr 116 
 
 " Manillas " for African Slave Trade 113 
 
 Manlove, R 71 
 
 Mansell Family 83, 87, 115, 117, 122 
 
 , Lord 115 
 
 Margam Park Leases 96 
 
 Martin, Mr 17, 20, 22 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Mason and Elkington 100, 144 
 
 Medallets or Cheques 168 
 
 Medals. See Coins. 
 
 Melincrethyn Copper Works... 75, 102 
 
 , Mine Adventurers at 80 
 
 Memorandum on the Copper Trade... 149 
 
 Men prest at Xeath 92 
 
 Merry, E 146 
 
 Metalliferous Manufactures, early 
 
 history of vii. 
 
 Middle Bank Copper Works, 117, 120, 
 
 [121, 126 
 
 Middle Dock 120 
 
 Miers, Mr 77 
 
 Mine Adventurers' Company 80 82, 102 
 Mineral and Battery Works Society 14 
 
 [37, 40, 57, 5 8 , 80 
 
 Mines, early guardians of 70 
 
 Mines Royal, v., 6, 27, 35, 37, 40, 57, 68 
 
 [79, 142 
 
 Book, extracts from 75 78 
 
 Sailing Vessel 78 
 
 Mining Localities, in Ercker's book 72 
 
 " Mining Master " 14 
 
 Mining Record Office, statistics from 169 
 
 Mining Works, early 68 
 
 Ministers' Accounts of Exchequer ... 98 
 
 Mint, copper coinage at 121 
 
 at Shrewsbury 73 
 
 Mohun, Mr 5 
 
 Monineca 73 
 
 Monmouthshire CopperWorks, 74, 134, 135 
 
 j Morfa CopperWorks 141 
 
 | Silver Works 141 
 
 ' Morgan, Mr. D. H. (Mayor of Neath). 124 
 
 , Mr. 134 
 
 , Mr. W 155 
 
 Morris, Sir J 120 
 
190 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Morris, Mr. R 
 
 and Company 
 
 and Rees 
 
 Morriston Spelter Works 
 Mountjoy, Lord 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 102, III, 131 
 
 99 
 
 loo, 136 
 
 155 
 
 27, 35 
 
 Muntz's Metal 123 
 
 N. 
 
 Nant-ryd-y-vilais Works 130 
 
 Napier and Cameron 136 
 
 Napyan, Mr 18 
 
 Neath, earliest Copper-smelting in vii., 99 
 
 , Coal at ... 42, 92 
 
 , Letters posted to 91 
 
 , Ore of, sent to Cardiganshire ... 91 
 
 " Neath and its Abbey," quoted, vii., 92,94 
 
 Neath Abbey Iron Company 124 
 
 Canal 77 
 
 Cheadle Works 124 
 
 Copper Trade 148 
 
 Copper Works, I, 22 26, 75, 80 
 
 [82, 88, 90, 100 
 
 Corporation, seal, c., for ... 93 
 
 Lead Works 84 
 
 Melting House 9 
 
 Red Lead Mills 90 
 
 River 68, 124 
 
 Silver Mills 90 
 
 Needham (or Nedham), G. 25. 29, 34, 35 
 
 ,F 42 
 
 Nevill, C. W 134 
 
 and Company 75, 142 
 
 Newlyn Copper Works 74 
 
 Newton, N 89 
 
 and Cartwright 100 
 
 Northumberland, Earl of ... 70, 72 
 Nottinghamshire, lapis calaminaris in 74 
 
 Nuisance from Copper Smoke. See Copper 
 Smoke 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 O. 
 
 Qaths taken by Officers of Company, 92, 
 
 [105 
 
 Old Forest Copper Works .. -.155 
 See Forest Copper Works. 
 
 Oldisworth, Mr. 115 
 
 Ores, Metalliferous, reserved to the 
 
 Crown 36 
 
 of Copper. See Copper Ores. 
 
 Otes, J 16, 18 
 
 P. 
 
 Padley and Andrews 164 
 
 Parsons, R. ... 78 
 
 Patent Fuel 151 
 
 Patents from the Crown, 25, 38, 40, 57, 
 [58, 91, 104, 105, 151, 153 
 
 Patten Family ... 35 37 
 
 Peat used in Smelting 26 
 
 Pemberton, Sir J 64 
 
 Pembrey Copper Works ... 100, [44 
 Pembroke, Earl of ... 35, 42, 63, 69 
 Penclawdd Copper Works, 100, 125, 136 
 
 [137 
 Pengored Lead Mines ... ... [20 
 
 Percy, Dr., " Metallurgy " of, &c., vii.. 23, 
 
 [3 6 > 99, 134, IS 1 
 Perrin Sands Mineral Works, 5, 8 n, 22 
 
 Pettus, Sir John 69 71 
 
 Phillips, Prof., on Copper Smoke ... 137 
 
 , R 116 
 
 Philosopher's Stone 71 
 
 Pipe House 146 
 
 Pirates, as Workmen in Mines ... 88 
 Place, J. 77, 124 
 
 ' R - 74, 75 
 
 " Poder " 102 
 
 Poem on Havod 139 
 
INDEX. 
 
 191 
 
 PAGE. I 
 
 Pollard, Mr 99, 100 
 
 Popkins, Mr. ... 97 
 
 Port Talbot Copper Works 143: 
 
 Port Tennant Copper Works .. 144 
 
 Post Office, complaint against 91, 92 
 Potters' Ore delivered at Xeath ... 90 
 
 Pottery Works. See Cambrian Pottery 
 Works. 
 
 Powell, Gabriel, 87, 98, 100, 120, 147, 148 
 
 Precipitate of Copper 169! 
 
 Pressing men at Neath 92 
 
 Prince of Wales, arms of ... . . 89 
 
 Pryce's " Mineralogia Cornubiensis " 
 quoted . ... 75 
 
 Pryse, Sir Carbery 84 
 
 Pullox Hill (Bedfordshire), Gold mine 
 at 73 
 
 Q. 
 
 Quicksilver, tenth part of, to the 
 Queen 39 
 
 R. 
 
 Record Office vi. 
 
 Redbrook Copper Works, 74, Si, 82, 102 
 
 Red Jacket Copper Works ... 144, 145 
 
 Red Lead Mills 8385,90 
 
 Rees, W 136 
 
 Refining Processes, secresy as to ... 91 
 
 Regulus 27 
 
 Rent of Smelting Mills, &c., at Neath 90 
 
 Revet, T 35 
 
 Rhondda Xeath Coke Works ... 125 
 
 Richmond. Duke of, on Copper Trading 
 
 [170 
 
 Rigby, A 17 
 
 Rio Tinto Company 169 
 
 Risca Union Copper Company 134, 135 
 
 Roberts, T 17 
 
 11 Rods " for African Slave Trad ... 113 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Roe and Company 78, 124, 131 
 
 Rolling Mills at Walthamstow ...130 
 
 Roman Mines in Wales 73 
 
 Remains at Gwyndy-bach ... 119 
 
 Rose Copper Company, 77, 78 127, 128 
 
 Rowland, D 85, 127 
 
 Royal Institution of South Wales, 
 
 Coins presented to ... v., 161 
 Royalty, early patronage of Mining 
 
 Companies by 69 
 
 Rupert. Prince 69, 70 
 
 S. . 
 
 Sadlers" Hall 170 
 
 Saint Anne's Copper Mine 10 
 
 Saint Helen's Copper Works ... 124 
 
 Saint Ives, Ore of ... ... 16, 17, 21 
 
 Saint Just, Ore of 16, 17, 21 
 
 Sales of Copper at Swansea 169 
 
 Savage, poem on Hafod attributed 
 
 to 140 
 
 Savill,Mr 134 
 
 Savoy, Master of 38 
 
 Schneider, Mr 136 
 
 Schutz, C. ... 14 39 5864, 73 
 
 Screw's Hall Copper Works 102 
 
 Sea Coals 20 
 
 Shareholders in Mines Royal Society 35 
 
 Shears and Son 136 
 
 Shrewsbury, Mint at 73 
 
 Silver in copper ... 13, 28, 73, 147 
 
 , tenth part of, for the Queen ... 39 
 
 in Wales 73 
 
 . extracting from lead 8 1 
 
 Bullion, coining of, with Arms of 
 
 Wales 89 
 
 Coinage 73 
 
 Mills at Neath 90 
 
 - Trade Tokens ... l6l 
 
192 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Sites for Furnaces ... 42 
 
 Slags 95, 112, 130 
 
 Slave Trade 113 
 
 Smiles's " Huguenots " quoted ... 73 
 
 Smith, J. 120 
 
 , SirJ 46 
 
 ,T 127 
 
 Smoke Nuisance. See Copper Smoke. 
 Smythe, Customer, vi., 4 12, 23, 35, 37, 
 [69, 121, 148 
 
 Soames, Colonel 92 
 
 Somersetshire, lapis calaminaris in ... 74 
 South Kensington Museum, portrait 
 
 of Queen Elizabeth in 69 
 
 Southwark, refining furnace at ... 87 
 Spar, an evil humour in Copper ... 34 
 
 Spence, Dixon, and Shaw 143 
 
 Spinola 35 
 
 Spitty Copper Works ... 136 
 
 Springham, Alderman 35 
 
 Stanley Smelting Company 122 
 
 Statistics of Swansea Copper Sales .. 169 
 
 Statue to Mr. J. H. Vivian 138 
 
 Stembarger, Mr 2431 
 
 Stephens, J ... 145 
 
 Stone, J. 12. 18 
 
 Stourbridge Bricks 90 
 
 Street, Mr., engraver 93 
 
 StruvS, W. P 143, 160 
 
 Swaine, S 74, 75 
 
 Sulphur, an evil humour in Copper ... 31 
 
 ' , utilization of 75, 147 
 
 Surrey Brass Works ... 74 
 
 Swansea and the Copper Trade, vii. 23, 
 [36, 75. 78, 96, 99, loo, 148, 149 
 
 , new furnaces at 157 
 
 Castle, furnace in precincts of ... 147 
 
 Charters ... 99 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Swansea Copper Smoke 151 
 
 District, tokens current in 161 168 
 
 Harbour and Docks ... 173 182 
 
 Patent Fuel Works ... ... 151 
 
 River ... ... 126, 127, 155 
 
 Sales of Copper 169 
 
 Topographic Collection ... 134 
 
 Swedish Copper ... 113 
 
 Sweetland, Tuttle, and Company ... 145 
 Swift's ' Drapier's Letters" quoted 103 
 
 T. 
 
 Taibach. new furnaces at 157 
 
 Copper Works, 75, 82, 96, 100 
 
 [105, 153 
 
 Talbot, Mr 96 
 
 Talibont Mine 73 
 
 Tamworth 35 
 
 Taverns, meeting of Mining Company at 93 
 Tawe River, 99 101, 115. 12.7,137, 140. 149 
 
 Copper Works ... ... 146 
 
 Tax on Workhouse at Neath 93 
 
 Tench, Sir F 171 
 
 Tennant, C. ... 143 
 
 Thames Tunnel 112 
 
 Thomas, Rev. E. ... ... ..121 
 
 ~,Mr.J 39 
 
 Thompson, R. G. ... ... 147 
 
 Thurland 25, 35. 38, 40, 60 
 
 Tickettings 132, 169 
 
 Tin Plates 143 
 
 Tintern, iron wire mills at 73 
 
 Tokens (See Copper Tokens) v., 161, 168 
 Tower, the, silver bullion taken to, 89, 95 
 
 Townsend, Chauncey 117 
 
 Trade Tokens 161, 168 
 
 See Copper Tokens, 
 
 Trevinian, Mr 21 
 
 Trewoorth Mineral Works ... 8, 13, 14 
 
INDEX. 
 
 193 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Troughton, Mr. 112 
 
 Trustees of Swansea Docks 175 
 
 Tunno, Mr I3 6 
 
 U. 
 Union Copper Company ... 134, 135 
 
 Upper Bank Copper Works ... 120, 121 
 Usborne, Benson, and Company ... 112 
 
 V. 
 
 Vaughan v. Cwm-Avan Company ... 160 
 
 , Messrs. ... 143, J 53 159, l6 
 
 Vernon, Lord 118, 174 
 
 Vessels for carrying metals from 
 
 Neath to London 9 2 
 
 Vigors and Company 100, 143 
 
 " Visitation of Cornwall " 2 
 
 Vitriol, an evil humour in Copper, &c. 32, 34 
 
 Vivian, Mr. A. P 106 
 
 , Mr. H. Hussey, 75, 123, 126, 136, 
 
 [137, 153, 154, 175, 179 
 
 , Mr. John 100, 125, 126, 136 
 
 , Mr. J. H. 126, 136138, 152 
 
 .Lord 136138 
 
 , Messrs., 75, 105, 106, 124, 127, 136, 
 
 (Vyvyan), Mr. R. 
 
 Volunteers, Rifle 122, 143 
 
 Vos, Cornelius de, mining of Alum and 
 Copperas by 
 
 W. 
 
 Wales (H.R.H. the Prince of), Ar- 
 morials of iii., 89 
 
 (H.R.H. the Princess ot), Ar- 
 morials of 172 
 
 , Coinage and Arms of 89 
 
 , principality of ... 60, 73, 122 
 
 , Roman mines in 73 
 
 , silver in 73 
 
 (South), copper smelting in ... I 
 
 , , coalfield of 134 
 
 Waller, Mr 8993,96 
 
 Walsingham,Mr. Secretary,vi., 24, 25,35,37 
 Walthamstow Rolling Mills 130 
 
 154158 
 
 i 
 
 60 
 
 Ward, Mr 
 
 Warden of the Fleet 
 
 Warwick, Earl of 
 
 "Weigh" of Coal 
 
 Welch Copper Company 
 Westmoreland Copper Ores ... 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 92, 171 
 ... -I 
 ... 70 
 
 ... 83 
 
 ... 171 
 ... 26 
 
 Weston, Mr 3 14, 22 
 
 White Rock Copper Works, Swansea, 
 
 [115, 132, 133 
 
 White Stone, an evil humour in Copper 34 
 Widnes Metal Company 169 
 
 William and Mary, charters of, &c., 
 
 72, 80, 88, 104 
 
 Williams, Messrs. 85, 121, 131, 141, 142 
 , Sir W 128 
 
 , Foster, and Company, 80, 125, 128, 
 
 [129, 145, 140 
 
 , Grenfell, and Company... 122, 133 
 
 and Hughes ... 131 
 
 and Vivian 116, 136 
 
 Windham's " Tour in Wales " quoted, 101 
 Windsor Castle, Pettus imprisoned in "I 
 Wind-way, foot-rid, or waggon-way 84 
 
 Winter, Sir W 6 
 
 Wire Mills 73 
 
 Wood,W.,his patent forCopperCoinage 102 
 
 Wooden Railway for Coal 84 
 
 Woods for Fuel 3 
 
 Wood's " Rivers of Wales " quoted 132 
 Woolwich Cadets, visits of, to Hafod 139 
 
 "Work Master" 14 
 
 Wright, J 105 
 
 Wynsor, P 19 
 
 Wynter,W 35 
 
 Y. 
 
 Yellow Metal. See Muntz's Metal. 
 
 Yorkshire Copper Company 78 
 
 Z. 
 Zinc 39, 57, 58, 67, 74 
 
 Zoffany, portrait of Bevans by ... 98 
 Zucchero, portrait of Qn. Elizabeth by 69 
 
> 
 
TO 
 
 
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 ' 
 
 REC. CIR. ?B 1 A 18 
 
 MAYS 9 
 
 miBRARY LOAI 
 
 lyt-^ 
 
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