This shows the agreement, or “bargain” as it was referred to, between the Cockhill & Sunside Mines agent (Nathan Newbould) and the named miners as to what they had agreed to do and at what rate. The bargains ran for one month and the agent would keep full records of the work done and make payment to the partnership at the end of the month.

On this page it was…

“March 1st 1829: Agreed with George West. 4 miners to drive east in Moor Vein at 65 shillings (£3.25) per fathom (6 feet). To do the same to the satisfaction of the agents, the Bargain to cease 1st April 1829

George West, John Simpson, George Whitehead, ? Weatherhead”

This partnership was employed again during the next 6 months to carry out what ever work was required by the agent:

April: Drive a cross (crosscut) north from Moor Vein to Folly Vein @ 65s per fathom
May: Drive east in Green Groves Vein @ 60s per fathom
June: Open Green Groves Old Man’s Level @ 10s per fathom
July: Drive east in Green Groves Vein @ 60s per fathom
August: Drive east in Green Groves Vein @ 50s per fathom

Notice in August the price has come down from the previous month.

Right is the results of their endeavours.

The columns are headed; Fathoms, Feet, Bings (a unit of weight, 3 to the ton I believe), Cwt (Hundredweight, 20 to the ton), Rate, £, s, d. The last three representing units of currency.

For those of you not familiar with English currency prior to 1971; there were 12 Pennies (d) to the Shilling (s), and 20 Shillings to the Pound (£)

April 1st (ie the bargain for March); Driven 1 Fathom, 2 Feet @ 65s (per Fathom) £4 6s 8d. Driven a cross 1 Fathom @ 65s £3 5s 0d