If he ended up as a supervisor for one of the largest mines in the area it
is likely that he had spent most of his life in coal mining. A collier at
the time would have been paid based on the amount of coal he and his small
team of men and boys dug and raised to the surface. Many ironworks jobs were
skilled and if there were any sort of ironworks jobs around (as there would
have been in a number of locations in Pennsylvania) then it is unlikely that
an iron worker would become a coal miner (though less skilled labourers
might move between occupations in mines and iron works).
Iron works were located near sources of the coal needed for Iron smelting,
and in a number of cases owned local coal mines.
The working conditions in collieries and metal works in South Wales are
described in the 1842 survey by the Children's Employment Commission, 1842 ,
which you can read or download at
http://www.cmhrc.co.uk/cms/document/1842_S_Wales_1.pdf
They do not seem to have visited many collieries or works in the Pontypool
area but references to people born in Pontypool seem to refer to them having
attended school there, so the existence of schooling and the ability to read
and write may have given workers from that area an edge over those from
other areas in progressing to roles as foremen or managers in industry.
Jeff
----- Original Message -----
From: "user917826 via" <monmouthshire(a)rootsweb.com>
To: <monmouthshire(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2014 11:10 AM
Subject: [MON] Pontypool Iron works
Hello,
As I continue to examine Monmouthshire records for my ancestor, I am
attempting to make some assumptions and would appreciate feedback from the
list. From all accounts, our Thomas Morgan was born circa 1821 in
Monmouthshire and left for the US before 1850. Of course, the major issue
is that there are many other men named Thomas Morgan of the same age
living in close proximity.
One thing, though, separates some of them. I found that more than one of
these men worked at the Ironworks in Pontypool and Ironworks in
surrounding areas. One is listed as a "collier".
My ancestor came to Pennsylvania to work in the coal mines. He ended up
being a supervisor for one of the largest mines in the area. Would it be
reasonable to suspect that the "collier" in Wales, who was probably
working in the mines by the time he was 6 or 7, is possibly the same man
who left Wales and worked in the same profession in the US?
I guess I am asking if working at the Ironworks would prepare one for
working in the mines? I understand that it is pure conjecture, but we
have very little to go on here in the US so far, and less in Wales.
Thanks,
Bev W