The Coalmining Cobleys

One of the most surprising results of my research is the length of time the Cobley family have been involved in the coal mining industry. Virtually all of the male line from the earliest generation in 1780 up until about 1930 have been colliers. This was not surprising when from about 1825 they lived in South Wales where from the 18th century to the mid 20th century the principal industry was coal mining. But it is for the time they resided in Somerset which is not widely known for its coal industry. So I thought about 150 years in coal mining needed some recognition hence the theme of this page. Having grown up in the S Wales valleys surrounded by coal mines I inevitably learned about the hard and dangerous nature of the work. A fact that, in the early days, did not stop the owners employing women and children.

This was borne out by research that revealed in 1834 Charles Cobley aged 12 had been working in Buttery Hatch colliery near Maesycwmmer since he was 9 years old. I have also witnessed the terrible legacy of the mines with many a strong man reduced to shadows of their former selves by the effects of pneumoconiosis (coal dust on the lungs). For the workers it was a case of needs must, as in the 19th century mining was often the only work available, the wages were invariably poor and the work often irregular. Everyone who could work did so in order to earn enough to keep the family fed. The harshness of the work however also engendered a camaraderie rarely found elsewhere which spilled over into the community. Alas all but gone now, together with the coalmining industry!

It is no wonder that my father and his brothers escaped the mines as soon as they could and who could blame them! Unfortunately it was not before some of them contracted the dreaded 'dust'. What a price to pay for coal!