Millbank Pit
Millbank Pit
HER Number
14893
District
Sunderland
Site Name
Millbank Pit
Place
Harraton
Map Sheet
NZ25NE
Class
Industrial
Site Type: Broad
Coal Mining Site
Site Type: Specific
Coal Workings
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Description
Shown on Oliver 1851. Harraton Outside Colliery is mentioned in minutes dated 1727-1730 of the Grand Allies Partnership. Two letters dated 1764 and 1770 to Sir John Thorald also mention the colliery at 'Harroten Outside'. A lease dated to the 1770s made between Sir John Thorald of Syston Park and Ralph Milbanke of Halnaby (near Croft-on-Tees, North Yorkshire) discusses mines and quarries and the right to built houses for colliers and quarrymen. Sir John Thorold was tenant in common with Ralph Milbank and Sir Francis Blake Bart (who married Isabel Ayton before 1734). A lease of 1778 between John's widow Dame Elizabeth Thorald and Ralph Milbanke describes the right to 'dig, sink, rid, win, work and make pitts, shafts, staples, trenches, groves, and to make or drive, drifts, watergates, watercourses as well for the winning working and getting of coals from the soil'. Ralph Milbanke married Judith Noel, sister of Thomas Noel, 2nd Viscount Wentworth (of Kirkby Mallory Hall, Leicestershire) in 1777. In 1798 Ralph became the 6th Baronet Milbanke.
Easting
429310
Northing
554400
Grid Reference
NZ429310554400
Sources
Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd, 2008, An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment: The Former Goodyear Dunlop Tyre Factory, Wear Industrial Estate, Washington, Tyne and Wear; Lincolnshire Archives Committee 1956, Lincolnshire Archives reference THOR 2/4/2 (Bargain, sale, release and confirmation, dated 30th July 1730) and THOR 2/4/1 (lease for a year, dated 29th July 1730) and THOR 6/4/1 (letter dated 10th January 1764) and THOR 6/4/2 (letter dated 27th March 1770) and THOR 1/1/7/1 (lease for 21 years, dated 21st October 1778) and THOR 1/1/7/2 (lease for 20 years, undated)