EARLY HISTORY OF WIRKSWORTH AND ITS LEAD MINING, 69 
The following curious record of a verdict in 1761 may not be 
uninteresting :— 
March 26, 1761.* 
We whose names are under written being this day summoned by Mr. Edward 
Ashton, Barmaster for the Liberty of Brassington to a groove called by the 
name of the Throstle next to Brassington Pasture to enquire into the cause of 
death of T. W., now lying before us: accordingly we have been down the 
shaft to the foot thereof, and down one Sump or Turn to the foot thereof, and 
on a gate northwardly about sixteen yards to the Forefield, where the de- 
ceased had been at work: and by the information we have from William 
Briddon who was working near him, it appears to us that a large stone fell 
upon him out of the roof, and it is our opinion that stone was his death. 
Then follow the signatures of Thomas Slack and eleven other 
jurymen. This part of his office has, since the new Mineral Act, 
been relegated to the coroner of the district. 
Before this period some offences connected with the mines were 
punished with great severity. The stealing of lead ore was one of 
these, and upon clear proof of this crime having been committed, 
the offender on the first and second convictions was fined accord- 
ing to the gravity of the offence; but if he were convicted a 
third time, then (it will scarcely be believed now to have been 
possible) he must submit to have his hand transfixed by a knife 
and fixed in this way to the stowes or supports for the windlass at 
the top of the mine, and to keep it there till either he tore his 
hand away or death ended his sufferings, and moreover, according 
to the old rhyme, his sufferings lasted for life. 
And shall forswear the franchise of the mine, 
And always lose his freedom from that time. 
In conclusion, the lead ore was in former days smelted in holes 
on the tops of hills which had generally a westerly aspect. These 
were termed do/es. Wood and lead ore were placed in these holes 
and ignited during a westerly wind. Hence the name of Bole 
Hill, near Wirksworth, and in other districts of the Peak. 
* Hardy’s ‘‘ Compleat Miner,” 1762. 
