New Statistical Account for the Parish of Borthwick, Midlothian
Written by the Revd.Thomas Wright, Minister (October 1839)
Note - Only the part relating to colliers and coalmining has been included here
... Although this parish is in the heart of a coal district, and though there are villages all around us peopled by colliers, it is but of late that any families of that class have had houses in this parish. At present there are not more than six or eight such families.
Minerals.— Coal, on the property of James Dewar, Esq. of Vogrie, is extensively wrought. The principal seams are from three to four feet in thickness. The Vogrie coal is reckoned of superior quality, and sells at a higher price than most of the coal wrought in their neighbourhood. The great coal sells at from 8s. to 10s. per ton. The smaller coal or chews, much used as fuel by the labouring classes, sells at from 5s. to 6s. per ton. Very little of the coal goes to Edinburgh; the chief consumpt of it is in the south country, towards Galashiels, Selkirk, and Peebles.