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Bal Maidens Cornwall & Devon
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Women and children were probably working at or in the mines in Devon and Cornwall from the days of antiquity, but the earliest written records date from the Middle Ages. From this time, at least, it seems that women and girls did not work below ground, but usually dressed ore at surface. They were employed in particularly large numbers from about 1770 until 1860. From then their numbers declined; the last being laid off in the early 1920’s. They were employed throughout the mining industry; at tin, copper, lead, manganese, uranium, antimony, arsenic and zinc mines, as well as at the clay works and smelters. In Cornwall and West Devon they were often referred to as ‘Bal Maidens’ (the word Bal being ancient Cornish for mining place).

Ore dressing was by no means the only task that females undertook at the mines in the South West. On most mines there was also at least one ‘counthouse woman’ who was responsible for the cleaning, cooking and laundry at the mine counthouse (office). There were also some female waggoners, assayers assistants, whim horse attendants and even one ‘kibble’ (ore bucket) lander. In the mid 19th century a few even became mine or clay works managers. Some women also took over ‘mens’ jobs’ at the clay works in World War 1.

Women and girls were also employed in the gunpowder mills, safety fuse works and dynamite factories. They often constituted the majority of the workforce, and were at continual risk, as is evidenced by the high proportion of females amongst the accident and fatality statistics.

By 1800, there were 2,000 or more females employed in the Cornish mines, and at least 6,000 by 1851. Between 1720 and 1920, there were probably more than 80,000 females working in all of the mine related industries in Devon and Cornwall, 24,159 of whom are recorded in our searchable database (Last updated 17th April 2008).

For further information please see the following:

Searchable Database for named Bal Maidens and other women in the related mining industries in Cornwall and Devon (24,159 entries)

Bal Maiden Interviews from the 1842 Commission

Bal Maidens at Work

Bal Maidens Picture Gallery

1842 Commission Index of names for Cornwall and Devon

Links and Resources on Women at the Mines

Books & Articles

MICover

****New****

A Dangerous Place to Work! by Lynne Mayers - 108 page paperback. £7.95.

This book tells the story of the employment of women and children right across the mining industries of Devon and Cornwall, up until the second half of the 20th century. It includes their work at the mines, clay works, slate quarries, foundries, smelters, and gunpowder and explosives works.ggffhff

Available now from www.lulu.com

Methods of Tin and Copper Dressing in Cornwall, by James Henderson 1858, transcribed by Lynne Mayers 2006. 29 page A4 staple paperback booklet transcribed from the Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, 1858, with all the original Henderson drawings computer enhanced. To purchase, please go the Books and Articles page. £3.75 inc UK postage.


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