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Jellyholm Pit

Gartmorn Dam, Sauchie, Alloa, Clackmannanshire.

Mine (Coal & Fireclay), 1887-1921.

Coal mine part of Alloa Colliery, also producing fireclay in 1915 & 1920. Site of treated shaft now situated along edge of woodland (possibly under field). The extracted clay possibly supplied the nearby 'Hilton Fire Clay Brick & Tile Works' to the SW at [NS 899 933].

Alternative Names: Alloa Colliery (Jellyholm Pit), Jellyholm Colliery

Notes: Sunk to Alloa Splint Coal at 57 fms [104m]. Marked as Jellyholm Pit, Alloa Cherry at 53 fathoms, Alloa Splint at 57 fathoms, on Geological Survey map.

"Jellyholm Colliery (Jellyholm pit) - Started 1887. Closed 1921. - Alloa Coal Company. Located near the west end of the Gartmorn Dam, this pit became unprofitable and was closed in 1921." [Clackmannanshire.Scot]

Jellyholm Farm, not far from the west end of Gartmorn Dam, was farmed 150 years ago by a French family from Normandy. Local tradition derives the name from 'joli homme' or 'home'. Holm means oak-tree, however. [Drummond, Old Clackmannanshire]

24 August 1861. On Friday forenoon, Andrew Hunter, a miner in the employment of the Alloa Coal Company, met with his death while working in No 1 pit, situated at New Sauchie. At the moment of the unfortunate accident, Hunter was employed blasting the coal, and part of the roof falling in, crushed him so severely that death ensued almost instantaneously. - On Friday afternoon, William Harrower, a miner, residing at Holton, New Sauchie, met with an accident while working in Jellyholm coal pit. Part of the roof fell upon him, whereby he was bruised on the thighs, feet, and head, but the injuries are believed not to be of a serious nature. [Alloa Advertiser]

Given the close family relationships of the mining communities, most miners were related (if only distantly or by marriage). Andrew Hunter and William Harrower are both distant cousins (by marriage) of my mother. My mother's maternal grandfather was Andrew Philp. The Philp, Hunter and Harrower families all lived in or near Holton Square, Sauchie, a planned mining village with miners' rows around a central green space. Holton Place nearby was another miners' row. Big families where most of the men worked in the mines and most of the women in Paton's thread mill. [John Crae]

28 October 1861. On Monday morning, Joseph Patterson, aged twenty-two years, met with his death in No. 3 pit of the Alloa Coal Company (Jellyholm Pit), by the falling in upon him of part of the roof. A considerable time was unavoidably occupied in removing the load by which the unfortunate man was killed. [Alloa Advertiser]

Hydrographic Feeds: None

Hydrographic Resurgences: None