Delvers and the OATES of Cromwell Bottoms, Ha

[Jane46]

Hello
I suspect part of my Oates family from Halifax might have been living in the Cromwell Bottoms area where several Oates are on the census as "delvers", and some records suggest Oates were involved in the management of same late 18th early 19th C. I do know my great x 3 grandfather Joseph b abt 1773 was an architect in Halifax inthe early 19th C and also another architect John Oates from Halifax apparently became quite famous for building churches etc in the area( but I cant find a family link with him yet). I am now wondering if either or both of them might have used the stone from this area for their buildings and this was the principle reason for the extended family quarrying there.

Firstly what did "delvers" do exactly . Were they the "grafters" cutting the stone out of the face, and if anyone can give me any more clues re the Oates I would be very grateful.

Regards

Jane

[Jan1954]

Although a definitive explanation of a delver is not given, Working the Elland Edge Flags (http://www.stoneroof.org.uk/elland.html) alludes to them, which you may find helpful.

It does appear that a "delve" is another name for a quarry...

[Peter Goodey]

delver; stone getter; loosens and gets blocks of stone from solid rock by various tools, when it has been blasted down; may also split blocks of stone with hand tools to reduce to convenient size.

[Jane46]

Thanks both. I did look it up on the net but did nt find those definitions. It gives a different perspective on "delving into something" does nt it.

Regards

Jane

[Peter Goodey]

It gives a different perspective on "delving into something" doesn,t it?


When Adam delved and Eve span... :)

[Philippa_Harvey]

Who was then a gentleman??