12 Coal Mines in the vicinity of Richmond^ Va. 



The bearing of this part of the field is fifteen degrees to the 

 west of south, and inchnes to the west as yon proceed to the 

 south, until near the river it is thirty degrees. The same is the 

 case on the western outcrop. This induces the belief that the 

 basin is here rounding off, and that at no great distance to the 

 south of the river, the coal formation entirely disappears. This 

 belief is confirmed by explorations made on that side of the river. 



Several mines were worked formerly on James River, on the 

 western outcrop of the coal-field, in Powhatan County, which are 

 now unv/rought, principally because the coal both in quality and 

 quantity is not equal to the coal of Chesterfield, and will not bear 

 working in a depressed state of the trade.* 



In Goochland County, on the western outcrop, coal of good 

 quality was formerly worked, and known as the Dover pits, 

 owned by Anderson & Moody, and conveyed to the Dover Coal 

 Mining Company. These mines are not now worked, the com- 

 pany having failed. Since the failure of the Dover Company, 

 the mines have reverted to the former owners; and on the east 

 side of the outcrop, on the Goochland and Henrico side of James 

 River, are several mines, some of them now in operation, and some 

 not. The largest operators in that neighborhood, are the Messrs. 

 Crouches & Sneed, the owners of extensive mines in good work- 

 ing condition, employing about one hundred and fifty hands, and 

 raising four hundred thousand bushels of coal the present year. 

 Near these mines, on James river, are those of the Tuckahoe 

 Coal Company. The old mines are out of work, but a shaft is 

 sinking, employing from fifteen to twenty hands, &c. 



Near these are Woodward's and Cottrel's Mines, both now un- 

 wrought. Northeast of Crouches & Sneed's mines, lie the Edge 

 Hill pits, now worked but not extensively, by Richardson, proba- 

 bly employing some thirty hands, and producing about eighty 

 thousand bushels. On the north part of Crouches & Sneed's 

 property, Townes & Powell are engaged in hoisting coal, but not 

 working more than some twenty hands, producing the present 

 year about one hundred thousand bushels. There may be some 

 other mines in this vicinity not remembered. There is a railroad 

 connecting these mines with the James River canal, down which 

 the coal passes to Richmond. The coal on the north side of 



* These mines were worked by three incorporated companies, all having failed. 



