As a point of interest the youngest daughter (Sarah) of my 7xGGrandfather William, married William Teague in 1760.

I have found it difficult to trace the records of my family between 1750 and 1800 due to the poor state of the Newland records.

My 8x GGrandfather ran the Grist Mill in Mellingriffith (North of Cardiff) before it was converted to a tin plate factory by the Coster family. John Coster was baptised in Newland about 1688. I believe the Coster family also had interests in the Tin Plate works at Redbrook Lydbrook and Lydney along with some others in South Wales and Cornwall

Iron ore was transported from the Forest of Dean to Mellingriffith along a similar route to the present A40. Following the closure of the Grist Mill at Mellingriffith I believe my 8x GGrandfather came to live in Clearwell between 1735 and 1745.

My 6xGGrandfather also William married Elizabeth Doward in 1764. My 5xGreatgrandfather Peter b 1778 is recorded in the list of Freeminers as number 16 although he worked as a Stonecutter.

Peter was the start of a long line of Quarry workers.

Researching the industrial heritage of the Forest of Dean has helped me piece together my family history.

Regards

Tony Jenkins

Have a feeling that James Teague 1750 - was involved and the link to Neath...

The location is certainly within walking distance of Clearwell

Do you know when the iron works were built, and when they ceased production.

Regards

Tony

I intend visiting the area during the Easter break, can anybody pinpoint the location of the Whitecliff iron works?

Regards

Tony Jenkins