Bricks and Brickmaking in Coleorton
Local gardeners will know that along with evidence of coal in the soil there is a great deal of sticky yellow clay a couple of feet below the surface. There were several clay pits and brickworks in Coleorton. Bricks were used for house-building and also for mining.
John Clifford reports that around 1841 his namesake worked in brickyards in Peggs green at the age of 12. See History of the Clifford family (pdf) page 9.
Links to brick websites
- East Midlands bricks
- Bricks and brickworking website by John Harrison. Lots of good information and history plus links to other brick websites
- "Old Bricks - history at your feet - A celebration of old named British bricks" created by Dave Sallery. Includes really interesting historical background on bricks and brickmaking
- Trevor Stewart has some downloadable books about local brick-works and pipe-making >>
Census records
Census records from 1841 onwards recorded the employment of residents.
You can see how many people worked in the mines and potteries during the 19th century from the Census figures >>.
Bear in mind that in 1884 Rotten Row (Lower Moor Road area) was transferred to Coleorton from Thringstone, so earlier records for Rotten Row - up to 190 people - are under Thringstone census.) Also Peggs Green was at various times in Thringstone or Swannington parishes.