W William Lewis & The 1886 Mine Report History of Mine Reports Following the Avondale Mine disaster in 1869, Pennsylvania passed the modest "Mine Safety Act of 1870" from which annual mine reports were born. These reports include detailed information on mine accidents leading to death or serious injury. The 1886 Inspectors of Mines Report can be viewed in full for free via the Penn State University Library Archives . William Lewis worked at the Henry Colliery which was owned by the Lehigh Valley Coal Company in the Second Anthracite District which begins on page 45 in the report. Interesting Highlights from Report I enjoyed skimming through the total report and if you're interested in more context of the mines at the time I encourage you to take a peek at your leisure. In 1886, the Henry Colliery saw 33 fatal accidents leaving 16 widows and 38 orphans. There were 137 non-fatal accidents of which 96 were considered serious. This equate...
William E. Lewis William E. Lewis (circa 1884) William was born in Wales to Thomas and Ann Lewis. I believe he was likely from southern Wales, perhaps Carmarthenshire or somewhere nearby. Most Welsh immigrants who came to Northeastern PA in the late 1800s were from south Wales where anthracite coal mining and smelting were prominent. The skills of the Welshman in these industries actually saved the floundering coal industry in Northeastern PA. More to come on that interesting piece of history! I am still researching birth records for William and expect that it may take some time to sort out. Marriage to Mary Jane Hughes in 1884 William married Mary Jane Hughes (1839-1924) on May 7, 1884 at Miner's Mills Congregational Church in Miners Mills, PA. At the time William was living in Plains, PA and Mary Jane was living in Mill Creek, PA. William E. Lewis and Mary Jane Hughes Marriage Bann (1884) Family and Residence William and Mary had two children: a bab...