I have in my possession an holy bible which has on it's cover "in memory of The Awful Explosion at the Oaks Colliery Dec 12th 1866" and has inside the front cover a label saying that this bible was a gift from the oaks colliery relief fund to George Henry Abbott on March 16th 1863 because his father was one of the men who lost their lives.
Reading that I felt a mixture of sadness and anger as if a book could ever compensate for the loss of lives in any coal mine, however the reason I contact you is that if anyone would like this bible who is connected to that family or has historical interest in the event then I would be happy to pass it on. It has come to me because I organise book sales for my local community centre in Greater Manchester I know that it won't get sold and hate to think of it going in to the paper skip.
Since sending the email I have had a closer look at the bible and have found on the back pages a list of children who appear to be issue of George Henry Abbott the recipient of the bible and therefore grandchildren of the miner named Abbott who died in the disaster and hope that giving you this additional info. will be of benefit. I will hold on to the bible for the foreseeable future in the hope that between us we might find a rightful home for it.
The children listed with their dates of birth and are all surnamed Abbot:-
- Isabella Abbott 11 Jan 1895
- Lilly Abbott 11 Jun 1897
- Hettie? Beatrice Abbott 08 Sep1901
- Doris Abbott 07 Nov 1902
- Joseph Abbott 22 Dec 1903
- Dick Abbott 03 Apr 1905
- George Henry Abbott (jnr) 20 Jun 1907
- Daisy 11 Oct 1908
- Walter 11 Dec 191
If anyone does come forward it is ok to pass on my email address so they may contact me direct should they desire to.
Strange how coincidences happen just before I opened your email I had been reading poems by Mary Wilson one called Aberfan and another about Durham Gala Day which mentions Gresford, I wonder what the cost in lives has been over all the years directly and indirectly of the mining industry?
I am slightly claustrophobic and I think anyone who could work underground is heroic, I cannot imagine a worse place to work.
Faith Greenhalgh
Hi,
I came across an entry on your site from Faith Greenhalgh (http://www.healeyhero.co.uk/rescue/pits/Oak3.htm) re an Oaks Bible....
Could you let me have her email address please ( or forward this email to her) as I would like to know if she still has it.
A friend on mine is William Jeffcock....one of his ancestors was Parkin Jeffcock who lost his life rescuing people from the colleriey after the explosion....
regards
David Miller |
