Coal had been mined in the Hardshaw district since the eightieth century and the area was covered with small collieries at this time. There were several owners, Reverend Baldwin, W. Cotham and West and Co. In the nineteenth century, the business of the colliery was documented in the ‘Hardshaw Colliery Letter Book’ (1805-1815.) It was owned by the Greenall family, the local brewers, and Joseph Churton, a local doctor. The colliery was mentioned in the 1855 ‘Inspector’s Report’ when John Middlehurst is recorded as the owner. It produced about 9,000 tons of coal a year, which was sold locally. The colliery closed in 1867.
26th. June 1862.
Bennett Carter aged 31 years, a collier, was killed by a fall of roof. There are many deaths of colliers, drawers and datallers that are recorded in the Inspectors Reports by these simple words. HARDSHAW 26-06-1862 CARTER Bennett 31 collier Fall of the roof. (Mines Inspectors Report)
