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Various.
Important Early Railway archive detailing the establishment of the Byers Green branch of the Clarence Railway (latterly part of the Stockton and Darlington Railway co.) and Robert Surtees’ opposition to it. Byers Green Branch Line Railway Archive.
Publisher:
Date of Publication: 1819
Stock Code: 5863
Collection of 53 manuscript letters detailing the construction of the Byers Green Branch Line in County Durham, including copies of petitions dating from 1819 and 1825 and the Engineer's Report of 1819. Of these 28 are addressed to Robert Surtees, while most of the others are addressed to Dear Sir without a given name and, given the consistent content, Robert Surtees appears to have been the recipient. Also with 4 related contemporary newspaper clippings. Various sizes, from 12mo to foolscap (the majority standard octavo) and various lengths (the majority 1 or 2 pp.). Various hands, all legible.
The Byers Green Branch of the Clarence Railway Co. was proposed to best develop a reliable means of connecting the South West Durham Coalfield with the River Tees. Two letters in this collection (6th March 1829 and 13th June 1830) are from Christopher Tennant of the Clarence Railway Company, a Stockton resident Tennant paid for the expenses of George Leather in 1819 to survey a canal to compete with the Rivers Tyne and Wear making the Tees a major exporter of coal; plans were later adapted to promote a railway instead of the canal and the Clarence Railway Company was the result. Robert Surtees opposed the construction of the branch railway as it affected part of his estate at Mainsforth; in common with Lord Londonderry and the Stockton and Darlington Railway Company. Each were active in attempting to obstruct and prevent its construction and the letters here are concerned with their concerted campaign. There had been antagonism between the Stockton and Darlington Railway Company and the Clarence Railway Company dating back to the foundation of the latter in 1818, owing to conflicting business interests in County Durham. Several of the letters are from the Stockton and Darlington Railway Company’s legal representative, Francis Mewburn of Darlington, who saw the Bill for the creation of the Stockton and Darlington Railway through parliament and in spite of the considerable opposition, financial difficulties and court cases, the branch opened in 1836. Mewburn is notable for being the very first railway solicitor, also acting for the firm of Stephenson, Pease and Mewburn. Robert Surtees (1779-1834) of Mainsforth in County Durham is best known as an author, historian and antiquarian, who regularly corresponded with Sir Walter Scott; the Surtees Society was founded in his memory and many publications of local historical manuscripts have resulted since its foundation. A unique archive of letters providing an insight into the commercial, political, financial and engineering hurdles required in the establishment of a coal carrying railway during the heady early days of industrial expansion in the Durham Coalfield. £1500.00