Olliver Blacksmiths Ledger 1879 to 1887

John Olliver “Day Book”

Blacksmith’s and other Accounting

1879 to 1887

This ledger, with others, was given to St Neot Historians by Agnes Olliver to be kept in the St Neot Historians Archive to research for future families and Historians studying the heritage of St Neot Parish. She also gave us a room in Cott Barn to be used by the Historians! Thank you Agnes.

The ledger measurers 40.5cm x 16.8cm and is light brown in colour. The writing on the front cover is very faded but at the top of the page “John Oliver” can be faintly observed. “Day Book” is repeated a few times! The pages were not numbered but to enable identification when conducting research, they now have been. There are 429 pages many with multiple entries.

This ledger covers the period form 1879 to 1886, however, there is a letter in the Ledger with dates from 1840 to 1853, a bill to Gerry (Jerry) Keast. As can be seen from the image one side shows it addressed to Mr G Keast whilst on the other side Jerry is spelled with a “J”. There are also a few entries near the back of the ledger dated 1887.

The letter (left) shows that Mr Chas Oliver was owed the payments. Olliver is often spelled as Olliver with two “L’s” also as Oliver, one “L”.

John Olliver “Day Book”, Blacksmith’s and other Accounting, 1879 to 1887

The Alphabetical Index of Family and Business names are below. The entries where the page numbers and dates were numerous and take up more than one line are in RED. When researching Family names etc when you find a RED entry look for other lines!

These entries span the period from 1879 to 1887, they all appear to be by the same hand, however, the writing is a bit “spidery”, sometimes initials are difficult to interpret! If you are looking at a Family name look at all of the entries under that name. Sometimes only one initial is used sometimes two. Abbreviations are used Thos. for Thomas, Chas. for Charles etc. Snr. = Senior, Jnr. = Junior. Some names are spelled differently, (see Keast & Keat), Oliver Bligh Oliver Blythe.

Mining entries and Mine Captain’s names have been highlighted in Green. “Mining” entries include:-

Capt. Cocking 1879 to 1886, Capt. Johns 1882, Capt. E Pascoe 1883/6, Capt. Temby 1879/80/81/84.

Great Wheal Grylls Mining Company 1885/6/7, Herodsfoot Mine 1879, Parsons Park 1885,

The Adventurers of Tregeagle Mine 1880, Tregeagle Mining Company 1881/2/3/4/6/7,

Wheal Mary Mining Company 1884.

“Businesses” mentioned include Cooperative, St Neot School Board, The Way Wardens of St Neot, Wesleyan Chapel, Mount (for). The Sixth column on the chart shows which services were provided, most were Blacksmithing services (B’Smith).

Page 1 Shows the entry for Mr Christopher Arthur this full page record occurs on a number of occasions throughout the ledger. Much work was carried out by John Olliver for Mr Arthur as can be seen in May 1879 on 10 separate days during the month!

The entry is continued on page 2. As well as Blacksmithing, Barley and Turnips are mentioned.

Some pages had single entries, as above, others had multiple entries, see below.

St Neot has a strong Mining heritage, this is reflected in the “Mining Associated” entries within the Ledger.

Tregeagle Mine features on nine pages in the ledger covering the period 1880 to 1887.

Herodsfoot Mine 1879 (p15)

Parsons Park 1885 (p361)

Wheal Mary Mining Company 1884 (p281)

Great Wheal Grylls Mining Company

Below are the Alphabetical Charts listing the names that appear in the Ledger. When researching Family names please look at ALL of the enrties listed under the surname or business you are interested in.

Chart 1 Adams to Brimacombe