	Plain Pit	Index	Plain Pit

Plain Pit

(See also Rainton Colliery)

Location:	Chilton Moor 5 miles [8 km] NE of Durham
Map Ref:	(Sheet 88) NZ322486, 54° 49' 55" N, 1° 29' 55" W
Maps:	1860s map detailed map from the Ordnance Survey
	1898 map from Reid's Handy Colliery Guide
Opened:
Closed:
Sinking Started:	13 Sep 1817
Pits:	Shaft details for Plain Pit
	Catalogue of plans of abandoned mines for Plain Pit
Notes:	1817, Sep 13 - Commenced to sink the Plain Pit, Rainton Colliery, from the surface to the Hutton Seam.

Description

Disasters (5 or more killed)

	18th	Dec	1817		Explosion, 27 lives lost (Show Names)
	3rd	Nov	1823		Explosion, 55 lives lost (Show Names)

Names of those killed at this colliery

Please note that this collection of names is by no means complete!

						Adamson, Thomas, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., killed in the 1823 explosion, died two days later [More information ...]
						Anderson, John, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 24, killed in the 1823 explosion, of West Rainton, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Armstrong, George, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 37, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Collier Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 04 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Bailey, Charles, 18 Dec 1817, aged 21, killed in the 1817 explosion, of Cross Fines Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels Churchyard, Houghton on 21 Dec 1817 [More information ...]
						Barrass, Harrison, 18 Dec 1817, aged 14, killed in the 1817 explosion, of Cross Fines Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels Churchyard, Houghton on 21 Dec 1817 [More information ...]
						Barrass, Thomas, 18 Dec 1817, aged 42, killed in the 1817 explosion, of Cross Fines Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels Churchyard, Houghton on 21 Dec 1817 [More information ...]
						Blackbird, Thomas, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 42, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Shiney Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Blanchard, John, 18 Dec 1817, aged 39, killed in the 1817 explosion, of West Rainton, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels Churchyard, Houghton on 21 Dec 1817 [More information ...]
						Bolam, Philip, 18 Dec 1817, aged 35, killed in the 1817 explosion, of Collier Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels Churchyard, Houghton on 20 Dec 1817 [More information ...]
						Carr, Richard, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., killed in the 1823 explosion [More information ...]
						Carr, Thomas, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., killed in the 1823 explosion [More information ...]
						Clark, William, 18 Dec 1817, aged 14, killed in the 1817 explosion, of West Rainton, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels Churchyard, Houghton on 20 Dec 1817 [More information ...]
						Colling, John, 18 Dec 1817, aged 35, killed in the 1817 explosion, of the parish of Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: 21 Dec 1817 [More information ...]
						Colling, John, 18 Dec 1817, aged 23, killed in the 1817 explosion, of the parish of Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: 20 Dec 1817 [More information ...]
						Colling, Thomas, 18 Dec 1817, aged 40, killed in the 1817 explosion, of the parish of Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: 21 Dec 1817 [More information ...]
						Colling, William, 18 Dec 1817, aged 47, killed in the 1817 explosion, of the parish of Houghton-le-Spring, Buried: 20 Dec 1817 [More information ...]
						Cowell, William, 18 Dec 1817, aged 49, killed in the 1817 explosion, of Cross Fines Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels Churchyard, Houghton on 25 Dec 1817 [More information ...]
						Cowey, John, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 19, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Cross Fines Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 04 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Crake, Thomas, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., killed in the 1823 explosion [More information ...]
						Curry, John, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 49, killed in the 1823 explosion, of West Rainton, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Dawson, Thomas, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., killed in the 1823 explosion [More information ...]
						Dawson, William, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 29, Overman, killed in the 1823 explosion, Buried: All Saints Churchyard, Penshaw [More information ...]
						Dial, Michael, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 46, killed in the 1823 explosion, of The Knott, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Dinning, Henry, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 46, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Collier Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Elliott, George, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 46, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Collier Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Elliott, George, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 18, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Collier Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Elliott, Mark, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 14, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Collier Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 06 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Elliott, Wardle, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 34, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Middle Rainton, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Foster, John, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 12, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Houghton, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Foster, Peter, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 16, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Houghton, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Gibson, John, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 15, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Collier Row, son of Robert, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Gibson, Robert, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 42, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Collier Row, father of John, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Gibson, Thomas, 09 Oct 1863, aged 37, Deputy, fall of stone while setting timber
						Golightly, James, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 15, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Low Dubmire, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Golightly, Thomas, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 13, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Low Dubmire, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Golightly, William, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 8, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Low Dubmire, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Gowland, Robert, 18 Dec 1817, aged 25, killed in the 1817 explosion, of Collier Row, age shown as 9 in burial record - but believed to be 25, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels Churchyard, Houghton on 21 Dec 1817 [More information ...]
						Greaveson, George, 18 Dec 1817, aged 18, killed in the 1817 explosion, of The Knott, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels Churchyard, Houghton on 20 Dec 1817 [More information ...]
						Greaveson, Thomas, 18 Dec 1817, aged 16, killed in the 1817 explosion, of The Knott, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels Churchyard, Houghton on 20 Dec 1817 [More information ...]
						Hall, Anderson, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 9, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Middle Rainton, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 04 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Hall, John, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 46, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Middle Rainton, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 04 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Hall, John, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 12, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Middle Rainton, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 04 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Hall, Thomas, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 56, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Collier Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Hand, John, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 47, killed in the 1823 explosion, of East Rainton, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Hand, Robert, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 19, killed in the 1823 explosion, of East Rainton, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Harburne, John, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 14, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Collier Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 04 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Harrison, John, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 7, killed in the 1823 explosion, of The Knott, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Harrison, Joseph, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 9, killed in the 1823 explosion, of The Knott, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Holmes, Thomas, 18 Dec 1817, aged 18, killed in the 1817 explosion, of Collier Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels Churchyard, Houghton on 20 Dec 1817 [More information ...]
						Holt, Cuthbert, 18 Dec 1817, aged 25, killed in the 1817 explosion, of The Knott, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels Churchyard, Houghton on 20 Dec 1817 [More information ...]
						Holt, George, 18 Dec 1817, aged 53, killed in the 1817 explosion, of The Knott, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels Churchyard, Houghton on 20 Dec 1817 [More information ...]
						Hutchinson, William, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., killed in the 1823 explosion, died two days later [More information ...]
						Johnson, John, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 17, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Houghton, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Johnson, Robert, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 14, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Houghton, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Langley, Robert, 18 Dec 1817, aged 10, killed in the 1817 explosion, of Rainton Meadows, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels Churchyard, Houghton on 20 Dec 1817 [More information ...]
						Lonsdale, William, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 21, killed in the 1823 explosion, of West Rainton, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Lowery, Francis, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 22, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Hetton, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Mason, John, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 11, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Houghton, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Mason, Joseph, 18 Dec 1817, aged 15, killed in the 1817 explosion, of Cross Fines Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels Churchyard, Houghton on 21 Dec 1817 [More information ...]
						McFarlane, William, 20 Sep 1856, he and another man descended the shaft to go to work. As they got out of the cage at the Main Coal seam, McFarlane took a lamp down and proceeded in a few yards to get a supply of candles. He returned, and on putting the lamp back, he mistook the place and walked right into the shaft, falling 40 fathoms to his death [More information ...]
						Nelson, James, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 23, killed in the 1823 explosion, of West Rainton, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Orde, John, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 18, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Middle Rainton, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Oxley, Edward, 18 Dec 1817, aged 14, killed in the 1817 explosion, of Collier Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels Churchyard, Houghton on 20 Dec 1817 [More information ...]
						Padley, John, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 31, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Houghton, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 04 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Parkinson, James, 13 May 1858, aged 13, Trimmer, crushed by waggons on branches
						Porter, Mark, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 20, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Collier Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Pratt, Cuthbert, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 18, killed in the 1823 explosion, of West Rainton, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Race, James, 18 Dec 1817, aged 17, killed in the 1817 explosion, of West Rainton, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels Churchyard, Houghton on 21 Dec 1817 [More information ...]
						Rampshaw, Edward, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 18, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Houghton, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Reed, John Douglas, 18 Dec 1817, aged 24, killed in the 1817 explosion, of Hetton, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels Churchyard, Houghton on 20 Dec 1817 [More information ...]
						Robinson, John, 18 Dec 1817, aged 14, killed in the 1817 explosion, of Cross Fines Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels Churchyard, Houghton on 20 Dec 1817 [More information ...]
						Roddson, Joseph, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., killed in the 1823 explosion [More information ...]
						Shields, James, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 30, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Collier Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Shields, Matthew, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 11, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Collier Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Shields, Robert, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 28, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Collier Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Short, Adam, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 17, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Collier Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Short, William, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 10, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Collier Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Smith, Christopher, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 39, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Nicholson Pit, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Stephenson, John, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 9, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Middle Rainton, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 05 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Taylor, John, 18 Dec 1817, aged 17, killed in the 1817 explosion, of Cross Fines Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels Churchyard, Houghton on 20 Dec 1817 [More information ...]
						Thompson, George, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., killed in the 1823 explosion [More information ...]
						Thompson, John, 12 Jun 1867, aged 16, Apparatus Boy, crushed by apparatus tub - chain broke
						Watson, John, 18 Dec 1817, aged 19, killed in the 1817 explosion, of Wilson's Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels Churchyard, Houghton on 21 Dec 1817 [More information ...]
						Welsh, John, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 43, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Collier Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 04 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Wilkinson, Jonathan, 03 Nov 1823, 5:30 a.m., aged 15, killed in the 1823 explosion, of Collier Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels, Houghton-le-Spring on 04 Nov 1823 [More information ...]
						Wilson, Joseph, 18 Dec 1817, aged 13, killed in the 1817 explosion, of Cross Fines Row, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels Churchyard, Houghton on 21 Dec 1817 [More information ...]
						Wilson, Stephen, 18 Dec 1817, aged 54, killed in the 1817 explosion, of Rainton Gate, Buried: St. Michael and All Angels Churchyard, Houghton on 20 Dec 1817 [More information ...]

						87 names found

If you know of any fatalities missing from the above list then please contact us with the details and we will add them to our database.

Those names marked with , have a web page providing individual details of the accident, the page may also include a photograph of the deceased. Click on the symbol next to the name to see the web page.

Some of the names of mining fatalities on this web site have been kindly provided by Jim Grainger from his research into early newspapers (primarily the Durham Advertiser and Durham Chronicle) and are marked with .

Some of the details of mining fatalities on this web site have been generated from Parish/Bishop's Transcript's burial records kindly supplied by Julie Thompson and are marked with .

more information on some of the fatalities shown above

Collieries and Pits within 5 miles (8km)

a simulated map showing the immediate vicinity of Plain Pit

list of collieries/pits etc. near to Plain Pit

Credits

Sources:

1858 Mines Inspectors Report, Southern District by John J. Atkinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines
1863 Mines Inspectors Report, Southern District by John J. Atkinson, H.M. Inspector of Mines
1867 Mines Inspectors Report
An Account of the strata of Northumberland & Durham as proved by Borings & Sinkings, Volume L-R, published by the North of England Institute of Mining & Mechanical Engineers, 1887
Banners of the Durham Coalfield, Norman Emery, 1998, Sutton Publishing Ltd., ISBN 0-7509-1708-3
Contributions by members of the Public
Headstone(s) in All Saints Churchyard, Penshaw
Headstone(s) in St. Michael and All Angels Churchyard, Houghton-le-Spring
History, Topography, and Directory of the County Palatine of Durham by Francis Whellan. Second edition published in 1894.
Parish/Bishop's Transcript's burial records kindly supplied by Julie Thompson
Victoria History of the Counties of England – Durham. Published in three volumes in 1907.