In 1840 Parliament set up the Children’s Employment Commission. The aim of the Commission was to investigate the working conditions of children under the age of 18. The first report included the commission’s findings on the state of child employment in mines, the second in other industries, and the third in factories.

The commission was set up by Lord Ashley, Earl of Shaftesbury. He also campaigned for improved conditions and education for children working in factories and for the banning of chimney sweeps.

The commission employed inspectors who were responsible for a region of the country. The inspectors gave out forms for owners to fill in about their employees (see Wylam Colliery form), but also talked to children and other adults involved in the industry.

Corf – basket made of woven sticks used to transport coal and stone. Could be 10-30 pecks (90-270 litres) – plural – corves

Driver – boy employed to manage the horses underground

Helping up – boys who helped the putters (see below) when rolleys got stuck in a dip in the mine shaft

Keep a door – the job of a trapper (see below)

Leading water – removing water from coal working. Mines were often under the water table and water had to be pumped or hand bailed

Putter – someone who moves the corves (see above) of coal from the coal face to where they can be transported out the mine

Rolley – waggon used to move corves (see above), these would be pulled by horses on tracks underground

Rolley-way man – man who oversaw the rolleys (see above). He made sure that full loads could be moved out and empty corves (see above) would be ready when needed

Trapper – a little boy employed to open a door in the mine – they would be sprung to keep them closed, but had to be opened to let waggons through

Victuals – food (also known as “bait” in Northumberland)

Work/working – to ache. For example: “his head was working” – he had a headache