Shropshire Routes to Roots

British Parliamentary Papers
Children's Employment Commission
Appendix to First Report of Commissioners
Mines
1842

Hours of Work

The hours of work, according to the evidence of Mr. John Anstice, of the Madeley Wood Company, are from six in the morning to six in the evening.
Mr. William Tranter, of the Coalbrook Dale Company, gives evidence to the same effect, and it is confirmed by all the witnesses, the young men and boys working in the pits, who have been examined.

Of Meals

In most of the mines of the Coalbrook Dale district there are no regular times for meals, the principle being to keep the steam-engine constantly employed in drawing up coals or ironstone. The charter-master is paid according to the number of tons brought up to the bank, and in his arrangements with the men he sub-divides the work with a view for a certain number of tons to be dug. Accordingly all parties look to the quantity of coals or ironstone which can be sent up in a given time. The people manage to relieve each other in their work, so as to allow time to sit down by the side of the horseway and speedily eat their victuals. It is usual to take one good bait between 11 and 12, and to defer any further meal until the work is over.

[British Parliamentary Papers
Industrial Revolution, Children's Employment. Volume 7. (Irish University Press Series, 1968). Shropshire Archive reference; 328.42 ]