Salt mining

[Annie65115]

Hello folks, I'm new to this part of Rootschat!

I'm wanting to learn more about salt mining in/near Winsford. Wikipedia tells me that "salt became important to Winsford from the 1830s" and I have seen the Winsford Rock Salt Mine website which states that "the rock salt deposits were discovered in 1844".

But my ancestor, William Marshall, gave his address as Winsford and occupation as Salt propietor in an 1822 document, and Pigots directory of 1828-9 mentions extensive brine pits as Winsford's only redeeming feature, and lists 9 salt manufacturers in Winsford. So there was obviously salt industry active there before the 1830s and before the main mine opened.

Can anyone point me towards more info?

muchas gracias

[stanmapstone]

The early Salt in Winsford was obtained from brine pumping from shafts sunk to the "wet" rock head, and not mining.

Stan

[Annie65115]

ok -- (not that I'd know the difference, it's all getting stuff out from under the earth innit!)

so where might I find out more?

[stanmapstone]

If you Google "Wild Brine Pumping" there are lots of sites with information.

Stan

[stanmapstone]

You could also have a look at http://www.rootschat.com/links/0cq4/

Stan

[odessa]

A William Marshall & Co. were shipping salt from Winsford from 1808 (A.F. Calverts Salt In Cheshire) unfortunately it would appear no evidence has come to light to verify the duration of this company.
A Harrison, Marshall & Co were shipping salt from Winsford 1810-1819,  (A.F.Calverts Salt in Cheshire) possibly the same Marshall?
Also Wm. Marshall 1817 - and Wm. Marshall 1820-1830 (A.F.Calverts Salt in Cheshire)

Early Trade Directories might help with these dates. I also believe that "Salt In Cheshire" can be accessed on line
at http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924030692697  this book will tell you much of what you need to know on salt production in Winsford.

Occasionally you can pick up notices of the dissolution of partnerships in the London Gazette
http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/SearchBuilder.aspx?step=1

odessa.

[Jo Harding]

Hello Annie65115,

There is a Salt Museum in Northwich and they have a website as follows:

http://www.saltmuseum.org.uk

Cheshire was famous for the salt towns, they were called The Three Wiches. Northwich, Nantwich and Middlewich.

The Cheshire Record Office has storage for archives in one of the salt mines today. The conditions there are said to be ideal for keeping documents preserved.

There are other web sites with more information on salt mines and the salt industry in Cheshire.

Jo.

[stanmapstone]

ok -- (not that I'd know the difference, it's all getting stuff out from under the earth innit!)

Rock Salt Mining involves sinking shafts to the salt beds and men drilling and blasting the rock which is brought to the surface. Wild (or Natural) Brine pumping involves sinking wells to the rock head into the brine streams formed there by water dissolving the salt, and pumping it to the surface where the brine is evaporated to recover the salt. It is called Wild Brine Pumping to distinguish it from the controlled pumping developed by I.C.I. at Holford.

Stan

[stanmapstone]

The early Salt in Winsford was obtained from brine pumping from shafts sunk to the "wet" rock head, and not mining.

Stan

 

There is a list of Brine and Rock Salt Shafts in the Winsford Area on pages 260 and 261 in "Salt In Cheshire"

Stan