The great strike of 1844
On the 5th April 1844 the miners of Northumberland and Durham terminated the contract between themselves and their employers, the men strongly felt aggrieved over the bond. it was reported that a meeting took place on Shadon's hill where a reported 35,000 to 40,000 men attended. The chairman Mr. Mark Dent, opened the proceedings by saying - fellow men, we have long been divided, but I hope this day is the uniting of the miners of the Tees, Wear and Tyne for the purpose of having our grievances adjusted, for they manifold and severe. we have long sought for redress, we have been treated with scorn, but now we are resolved to be free. We are an insulted oppressed, and degraded body of men. If the masters had made anything like reasonable proposals we would have accepted them; but they have brought forward a miserable proposition, an infamous bond, under which men have been working for a mere pretence; but we will do so no longer. We will stand together till we obtain our rights. we are determined to be free, and I hope that the time is not far distant when we will not have to use such means as we have had to resort to on the present occasion.; but that the time of reasoning between master and man will take place the place of strikes, and the working man will get a fair day's wage for a fair day's work. miners as a class are not looked on with respect by the public, and the great majority of the press seems against us. Our employers use every means to oppress us, and this is not wondered at, for we have had not respect for ourselves. But now that there is an understanding amongst us, are we any longer to continue to drag the chains of slavery, to bear the yoked of bondage and toil in the bowels of the earth, as we have done.
Many more speeches were made by Mr George Charlton; Mr Robert Archer-South Hetton; Mr John Tulip; Mr Edward Richardson; Mr Thomas Pratt- Castle Eden and Mr Joseph Beeston.
(The coal owners had also introduced a monthly bond in parts of Northumberland it was thought by the men this was a trick to break the union).
The employers seeing the men were determined as ever set about bringing in men from all over England, Wales and Scotland. as soon as the strangers arrived the necessity for providing for homes arose, as the men who lived in the cottages were on strike, it was them that would be evicted. The work of ejecting the men commenced. bands of police, with low, mean ragged men were ordered into the homes by the resident viewer.
It became known to the Welshmen that it was due to a strike, that they were here, the Welshmen declared if money was paid for the passage back home their would go, somehow the money was found, and the Welshmen returned home.
A general meeting was held at Tantoby, near to Tanfield on Tuesday 11th June. this meeting was attended by no less than R.S. Surtees who read out the following address.
To the Chairman of the Pitman's meeting to be held at Tanfield Lea, this Eleventh day of June
Sir, complaints on oath having been made before us, the undersigned magistrates, we beg to say that we feel particularly obliged by tour impressing on the meeting the importance of orderly and peaceable conduct, as well during it's continuance as in returning home; and also the necessity of all parties assisting in preventing any breach of the peace that may be attempted by idle and disorderly persons, under pretence of attending, or having been at the pitman's meeting.
We are, Sir,
R.S. Surtees and Peter Annandale
Justice Room, Shotley Bridge
June 11th 1844
The strike was to last twenty weeks. With Poverty and indigence, unable to cope with the wealth and influence, the miners give up the contest. Every method to persecute, destroy, and crush them by such men as Lord Londonderry. The very tradesmen on the estates of those feudal barons who dared give credit, or even supply food or cash were victims of oppression.
When the collieries had returned to work the "ringleaders" were denied any work in the two counties of Durham and Northumberland.
1869 The number of men in the National Association of Miners was 35,000, each paying 3d per week. or 6d per week for death benefits and 9d per week for sick and accidental benefits. Funds stand at £37,000
1872 April The yearly bond is abolished.