Killed in a Coalpit Volume III: The Bedminster Mines

Killed in a Coalpit, Bedminster’ is the second of my ‘Coalpit’ trilogy. It was compiled slightly ‘pot luck fashion’ before old newspapers were on line and therefore I am aware that there are many omissions.

Malago Pit, Bedminster by Samuel Loxton
(kind permission of Bristol Ref Library)

The booklet had its roots when I found one of my kindred, Henry PILLINGER, had been a Bailiff at Malago pit. In a horrifying accident in August 1851, exactly one hundred and seventy years ago, four men and a boy were crushed to death due to ‘the breaking of the rope’. Henry stood in the dock accused of manslaughter along with his boss, the manager, Moses Stewart. They were eventually found ‘not guilty’. Through this long ago tragedy I made the acquaintance of Mr Stewart’s several times great granddaughter Frances and had the pleasure of staying with her a few times in London. It’s not all graveyards! As ever, I would be interested in hearing from anyone whose ancestors worked in the Bedminster pits.

First published – mid 1990s.

Killed in a Coalpit Volume III: The Bedminster Mines