Walbottle, coal pits

A plan of 1620 shows three coal pits within an arable field called 'midle shelf under the wall' [a reference to Hadrian's Wall]. To the north of Walbottle village, centred on NZ 1756 6782 is 'Newburne, Walbottle and Butterlaw Comon' which is annotated 'here did the coales burne in the Earth many years together'. A field called 'Barston Pittes' (centred on NZ 1812 6645) also suggests coal mining activity.