Page:History and characteristics of Bishop Auckland.djvu/63

 42 HISTORY OF BISHOP AUCKLAND. drift, driven from the bottom of the shaft, for the purpose of draining the water from the pit into the Graunless. The tower, which is still standing in a small plantation adjoining the Park-side, was built for the purpose of applying wind power for pumping out the water, which was found in such large quantities that the workings were ultimately abandoned Woodhouse Colliery, belonging to Sir Thomas Clavering, was 22 fathoms deep ; its annual vend 8,000 chaldrons ; and it employed 30 men. Witton Park Colliery, belonging to J. T. H. Hopper, Esq., was 29 fathoms deep ; its annual vend 8,800 chaldrons ; and it employed 18 men. Cockfield Colliery, belonging to the Earl of Darlington, was 21 fathoms deep; its annual vend 8,000 chaldrons ; 24 men being employed. Woodifield Colliery, belonging to Mrs. Pearson, was 10 fathoms deep ; producing 2,200 chaldrons annually ; and employing 6 men. Bitchbum Colliery, belonging to the Bishop of Durham, was 15 fathoms deep ; produced annually 2,600 chaldrons'; and employed 6 men. From very remote times, down to the early part of the present century. Bishop Auckland was a manufacturing place on a small scale. A " fulling mill" is spoken of in the Park as early as the year 1459, and the present Porter's Lodge is said to have been a woollen manufactory previous to its being put to its present use. The garments worn by most people, not only in this neighbourhood but in all rural districts, were home-made, and were of a woollen material, the native flocks supplying the wool. This was sent to the mill to be carded, or combed, and was then twisted by the domestic spinning wheel It was afterwards sent to some neighbouring weaver, to be woven into strong cloth for the males, and a kind of " Linsey Winsey" (as it was then called) for the femalea K any cloth was wanted for an especial purpose, as for instance, " cloth of motelee," mentioned in the accoimt rolls of Bishop Fordham — supposed to have been for the purpose of making a dress for a Jester or Buffoon, one of whom was kept in those days, not only at the Royal Court, but by both Lords and Bishops* — ^then Newcastle or Kendal was the market from whence it was brought. But, of course, this was the age before Lancashire had monopolised the cotton or Yorkshire the woollen tradea Shortly after this, " Tammey weaving" (a description of thin woollen cloth), was introduced; but the work was principally sent from Darlington, which was then beginning to be celebrated for the manufacture of various kinds of stuffs. Attempts also seem to have been made about this time to localise it, and wool combing and worsted spinning were commenced and carried on, in a small way, at West MiH Several places in the town were known, in more modem times, as the " Comb Shops." There was, also, a little calico printing, or "pencilling," as it was called, which was done by hand, and gave etnployment to the young of both sexea Slab-wheel spinning was an accomplishment in which both the higher and lower classes were instructed, and it was no uncommon sight in the summer time to see ten or a dozen yoimg people sitting on the shady side of the streets spinning away, and keeping time to some old ditty peculiar to our northern cUme. An attempt was also made to grow and manufacture flax in the fields which slope down towards the Gaunless, adjoining Bedford Lodge; but the climate, soil, and other matters were unsuitable to the enterprise ; and, after a considerable amount of money had been spent in the attempt, it was abandoned as impracticable and unprofitable. There were, also, two or three (what were then thought) large tanning and currying businesses carried on in the town, but their extent may be judged from the fact, that a single carrier's waggon to Newcastle, another to Durham, and one each to Stockton and Darlington, once or twice a-week, carried on all the trade, both export and import, which the town at that time could boast of. Bishop Auckland never seems to have stood in much estimation, nor made much progress, as a market town, and, as before mentioned, we have been unable to ascertain what Bishop conferred that privilege i Durham CasUei seeing the Earl of Pembroke iantastically dressed, accosted him thns : "I am the Bisho - - - - abode at Durham CasUe^ seeing the Earl of Pembroke iantastically dressed, accosted him thns : "I am the Bishop's fool, whose fool an yon f ' Digitized by Google
 * Dicky Peanon was the last individaal who is said to have held the situation of Bishop's fool, and durinff King Charles's