Hi, I confess that I'm almost wholly ignorant of the geography and history of Shropshire so I'm looking for some assistance in solving this (a little bit). I have discovered that my south Wales ancestors originated from Meole Brace. According to the parish register John and Mary Pugh had 6 children baptised there between 1791 and 1801 (John, Richard, William, Mary, Samuel and Theophilus). By 1819 it appears that at least some of them had moved to south Wales although it is likely that John Senior had died by then since Samuel gave consent at Mary's wedding that year.
My questions are:-
1. Did something major happen in the Meole Brace area between 1801 and 1819 that would prompt the family to move?
2. Richard and Samuel were (not surprisingly) colliers in south Wales. I understand that there were some small coal fields in and around Shrewsbury. Was there one in the vicinity of Meole Brace where the family may have worked prior to their move?
Thank you in anticipation of your help.
Steve Smith
PS Any other information on the Meole Brace Pughs would also be gratefully received!
Thanks very much for the information, Sue
Hi Steve,
You can do a search of mineral resources and mines at https://www.mindat.org/loc-14228.html
It shows coal mines at Nobold, Moat Hall, Arscott and Shorthill, Pontesbury - all within 5 miles or so of Meole Brace. Collectively known as the Shrewsbury Coalfields. The only problem is that the site only list owners from the mid 1800s onwards, but that's not to say the area was not worked earlier. Article in the Shropshire Star suggests so https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/nostalgia/2017/07/29/shropshires-little-pits-which-played-their-part/
https://maps.nls.uk is a good free resource for early Ordnance Survey maps, search the area to the South and South West of Shrewsbury. If you travel a few miles further you get into the lead mines of the Stipperstones which have been worked for centuries.
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Hello,
I also have ancestors from Meol Brace. The census as far back as 1841 shows them as miners. I think when the railway arrived it opened up the area for people to travel wider afield to find other work. My grandfather went up to Ellesmere Port and worked on the railway, along with his brother. There are quite a few sites online which give details of the small local mines which often closed suddenly when they were exhausted. My husbands family made their way to south wales during the 19th century as it was like the Klondike with the mines, canals, railways and the new docks in Cardiff. Best wishes, Sue Carter