2 
Account of the Black-lead Mi ine. 169 
Henry the Eighth, fallen to the crown ; it was 
by Jamesthe First granted to William Whit- 
moreand Jonas Verdon; including among other 
things, the Wad Holes and Wad, commonly 
called black cawke, of the yearly rent or value 
of fifleen shillings and fourpence. The said 
William Whitmore and Jonas Verdon, by a 
deed bearing date the 28th day of November, 
1614, sold unto Sir Wilfred Lawson, of Isel, 
and several inhabitants of Borrowdale, all 
the said manor of Borrowdale with the ap- 
purtenances of what nature or kind soever ; 
«“ EXCEPT the wad holes and wad, com- 
monly called black cawke, within the com- 
mons of Seatollor, or elsewhere within the 
commons and wastes of thesaid manor.” In 
consequence of which reservation, the wad, or 
Black-lead mine, is held distinct from other 
royalties of the manor; one half thereof be- 
longing to Henry Banks, Esq. M. P. and the 
other half subdivided in several shares. 
I shall not enter into a discussion on the 
derivation or importance of the several names 
of wad, black-cawke, black-lead, plumbago 
and graphite, by which this mineral has been 
successively designated ; but shall generally 
make use of the primitive monosyllable wad ; 
which has at least brevity to recommend it. 
The mine is situated near the head of the 
VOL, iil. Y 
