NOTES FROM THE B.M.R.R. MINUTE BOOKS

 

These notes pertain to the acquisition of locomotives and to the activities of Hopkin Thomas.

The Minute Books for the Beaver Meadow Railroad are housed in the Penna. State Archives, Harrisburg, Pa.

 

Ed. The minutes are recorded in cursive writing and are difficult to transcribe accurately. Unrecognizable word and phrases are highlighted in yellow in this document. JmcV. December 2006

 

Updated January, 2007

 

1830 – 1837  Minutes Book

Page 43, Jan 12, 1835

 

The successful economy with which our undertaking has thus far progressed, cannot fail to render it even more advantageous than has heretofore been anticipated.

The consumption of coal will only have reached its ??? condition of increase when every family & public work within reach of it upon the same terms with any other shall ? this as their only fuel.

New Hope Jan. 12, 1835  S. D. Ingham, ?  (probably President))

 

From the Engineers report it appears that $17,650 would be required previous to the transportation on the Rail road - viz

                     1   Locomotive engine      $5000

                  110   coal cars at $100 each   11000

                   18   mules at $80 each          900

                          Weigh house & scales      750                17650

And for transporting 10,000 tons of coal from the B. M. mines to Mauch Chunk basin $6639. Viz

                                 Recovering & mining at 35 cents per ton                     3,500

                                 Expense of locomotive  3 months at $7.50 per day           585

                                 4 Men at landing  4.50 per day                                    351

                                 6 men at planes 6.50 per day                                        507

                                 Weigh master & assistant                                             195

                                 Car tenders $12                                                          936

                                 (continued & not recorded)

 

Ed. The above is the first reference in the Minutes Books to Locomotive Engines.

 

 

Page 63, September 6, 1836

 

On Motion   Resolved   That the services of George Jenkins be employed by this Company at a compensation of Fourteen hundred dollars per annum.

                  Resolved  That the monthly statement of expenditures forwarded by the Secty at Beaver Meadow be referred to the Executive Committee.

                    That Mr. G. Jenkins be empowered to procure an Engine of such capacity and power as he may  think be sufficient for use by the Mines.

(Continued)

 

Ed:  The first locomotives, built  by Garrett & Eastwick, were delivered by Hopkin Thomas and Andrew Eastwick in October 1836

 

 

Page 67  Dec 23, 1836

 

Ed: Geo, Jenkins to go to Baltimore to purchase an engine.

 

Resolved, That Mr. G. Jenkins be requested to proceed to Baltimore or elsewhere to ascertain whether an Engine can be procured suitable for the operations of the Company and with power to contract for same.

 

 

April 4, 1837

 

Ed: This is the first mention of Hopkin Thomas

 

Resolved-  That the President's Salary be reduced to fifteen hundred Dollars from & after the first of April last inclusive.

Resolved -  That George Jenkins be appointed superintendent General of all the Company & Works, and that his Salary be increased to seventeen hundred and fifty dollars per annum from the first of April last inclusive.

Resolved - That the Salary of A. H. Van Cleve be twelve hundred and fifty dollars per annum

Resolved _ That Hopkin Thomas Salary be increased three Dollars per Month and 20 Dollars in lieu of fuel - from the 1st April instant.

 

Page 79, May 15, 1837. 

15 May 1837

Board met                   Present                               G. Scull. Chm.

                                                                          Levis

                                                                          Weatherly

                                                                          Toland

                                                                          Macalister

                                                                          Livezy

It was

Resolved That the division of superintendence at the Works as arranged by the President should be adopted. Viz.

1 "Cap" Geo Jenkins will take charge of all the business of the Beaver M. Company in Northampton County as Superintendent.

2. Aaron H. Vancleve will perform the duty of principal assistant to the superintendent.

3.  James Scott will continue in charge of the mines as Mining Engineer.

4. Hopkin Thomas will take charge of the workshops as principal machinist.

5. James D. Gallup will take charge of the repair and improvements in the coal and water stations - also procuring fuel & such other duties as may be assigned him by the Superintendent.

6. All the officers in Northampton Co. will receive their directions from Cap. Jenkins, the superintendent, and in his absence, from his principal assistant.

7. The Superintendent will from time to time, make such arrangements in the various departments of business as will best promote efficiency and economy in the Company's affairs with a due regard to the comfort and convenience of those under his direction.

 

 

Page 94, Dec 5, 1837. 

5 December 1837.

                                                              Present     C. Macalister, Chm.

                                                                             Levis                  Livezy

                                                                             Toland                Scull

                                                                             Weatherly

Resolved - That the Secretary write to Mr. Vancleve to ascertain as far as he can have the quality of the Eng. Iron sent up last for cars. As will answer our purpose and to inform the board what time is necessary to build a coal car when all the materials are on the ground.

Resolved That a contract be entered into for two engines similar to the Beaver provided that two of the small engines now at B. Meadow can be sold or bartered in part payment for them and that Mr. Toland & Levis be a committee to make the contract.

Resolved That iron be ordered from England of the edge rail sufficient for the double track above determined on & that Mr. Livezy and Scull be a committee for that purpose.

 

The secretary was then directed to send H. P. Becks deed for land to W. Ingham this opinion be requested, respecting the propriety of accepting it for a conveyance by the Co. of the land formerly granted for Rail Road.

 

 

1838 Minutes Book

 

The following are notes in the Minute Book that are not found in the printed version of the Annual Report for the Year 1837:

 

It was

Resolved  that the pres. Be authorized to employ an engineer to locate a double track from the planes to the mouth of the Quakake.

Resolved That a four-wheel locomotive engine (called Beaver engine) be forthwith commenced at the Co.'s shops at B. Meadow - the cylinders and boiler to be made in Philadelphia.

Resolved  That one of the 6 wheel engines be sold as soon as can be spared.

Resolved  That the Committee contract out with the Hazleton Co. for transportation be discharged.

Resolved  That H. I Levis be appointed Treasurer

Resolved  That John Ecky be appointed Secretary

 

 

 

Page 34, Jan 9, 1839

 

Ed.  Most of the following excerpts are from the minutes used to generate the Corporate Annual Report for the year 1838.

 

Ed. Chilled wheels and improved lubrication..

The repairs of engines and cars, will always be a heavy item of expense. Efforts have been made to reduce this as much as possible, by improved construction of them, with the means of prompt and vigilant attention to this branch. Among those improvements, that of chilling the solid nave of the car wheels. In a new method invented by H. Thomas, with conical hardened axles, promises to be of great advantage, as also the oil cup in the pedestals of the axles, by which much waste is avoided in lubricating their journals.

 

Ed.  The building of the Nonpareil

The Company have now five locomotive engines. Three of them have one pair of driving wheels. One of them (the Beaver) has two pair; and one (the Nonpareil.) built by H. Thomas at the Company's shops, has three pair of drivers.

The last is of great adhesive power, and more than double the traction of the three former engines. One of the light engines might now be sold; and if another of them was replaced by an engine similar to the Nonpareil, it would greatly increase the Company's means of transportation, and improve its economy.

 

Ed. Improved draft for burning anthracite.

All the Company's engines burn coal with the greatest facility; no difficulty occurs in raising and keeping up `steam. The apparatus for improving their draft, was introduced into the United States, by the Company's machinist, H. Thomas- The whole expense of it is not more than twenty dollars, including the labour of attaching it, which can be done in one day..

 

Ed. The benefits of the Nonpareil

The efforts of the Board have been earnestly directed to improvements in the economy of the various branches of their operations. A new locomotive engine with six driving wheels, has been built at the Company's shops, of great power, and better adapted to drawing heavy loads on undulating and curved roads, than any heretofore used by the Company. The success of this engine, aided by the eight-wheeled engine used last year, furnish an enlarged means of transportation, sufficient for a considerable increase of business.

 

 

 Jan 21, 1839 

 

Resolved: That Hopkin Thomas come to Philadelphia to examine W. Wynans Engine on the Columbia road, offered for Sale.

 

Jan XX, 1839

 

Resolved  That Hopkin Thomas be requested to come to Philadelphia as early as possible to examine the Locomotive Engine factories with a view to the purchase of a large Locomotive Engine for the use of the Company and to report the result of his 'engineering ' to the board.

 

 

 April 5, 1839

 

Resolved  That a contract be made with James Brooks for building a locomotive engine of large size according to the terms of his proposal that the É. withÉby J. Ecky, 19 February, 1839.

 

Resolved  That the President write to Mr. Van Cleve requesting the presence of H. Thomas in this city without delay for the purpose of conferring with the builders regarding the stationary engine.

 

May 28, 1839

 

4. Resolved  That the President be authorized to fix the Salary of Mr.. Van Cleve at 1500 dollars per annum and to occupy his house free of charge for Rent and also receive his coal fuel free of charge. Salary to count from the 1st April last.

 

 

5. Resolved  also That the Salary of Hopkin Thomas be at the rate of 1000 Dollars per annum from the 1st June next. That he receive his coal fuel free of charge.

 

 

6. Resolved  That the Salary of a bankman at the mines be fixed at 600 Dollars and that W. Vancleve be instructed to engage a suitable person to fill that position.

 

 

7. Resolved  also  That the President be authorized to render to Mr. Ingham the services of an engineer and fireman to test the use of anthracite coal on locomotive Engines on the Columbia Rail Road.

 

 

 

Page 99 March 7, 1840

 

Philadelphia Board met at the office this evening agreeably to adjournment. Present: Messrs R. Pearsall, A. R. Wharton, Henry Budd, James Rowland, Joseph Perot, and S. Scull.

 

Resolved That for the  economical working of the mines, this Company advertise for proposals, for mining from 30 to 60,000 tons of coal, to be delivered free from slate and other impurities into the companies cars at the mines: also for transporting the same to Parryville.  The company to furnish cars and motives Engines. Said proposals to be sent to the office at Philadelphia by the 25th of March.

 

 Resolved  That from and after the 1st of April next, the salaries of all Officers at Beaver Meadow and the Weatherly Shops (excepting those of Messrs. Vancleve and  Van Hagen) be reduced 20 percent.

 

 Resolved  That the establishment at the Weatherly shops be reduced by discharging one-half of the workmen of each grade, and that those remaining shall be paid, from and after the 1st of April next, at the rate of 20 percent less than the present price of wages.

 

Resolved That A. H. Vancleve be and he is hereby directed, to carry the above the resolutions into effect.

 

In accordance with the first resolution the following form of advertisement was agreed upon.

 

Proposals for mining Coal

 

The Beaver Meadow R. R.  and Coal Company will receive proposals for mining and delivering 30.000 to 60,000 tons of their Coal, free from slate and other impurities, into the cars at mines during the coming boating season; and also for transporting the same to their landing at Parryville, the company to furnish the cars and motives Engines. The Contractors to keep the car is endanger is in good running repair, supply fuel oil, etc. Sealed proposals will be received for either the old or new mines or both. They must be sent to the offices in Philadelphia by the 25th of March. Persons desirous to contract will receive further information at the CompanyÕs office in Beaver Meadow & at Philadelphia.

Adjourned

John McClintock, Treasurer

 

 

 

Page 101 March 28, 1840

 

Resolved to they Committee of three with the president that the appointed a half, to proceeded to  Beaver Meadow and contract with Messrs. van Cleve and company or  others, one the best possible terms they can obtain: not exceeding those offered by them in their  letter dated Beaver Meadow the second. If they should, after an examination of old ground, the other data and if what to be to the best interest of the company: case being taken in contract,  do guard the property our company from loss by carelessness, or bad many, transportation, etc..  The company to retain the possession of the property and its to remain 100 their own of the  direction.

 

Whereupon Messrs. Scull, Seeger, and Budd were appointed.

 

Page 102 - 106  April 7,1840

 

Resolved That the President be authorized to carry into effect the Contract made by the committee (appointed last meeting) with Vancleve & Co. for the mining and transporting of Coal to Parryville, except that the part which relates to the stock of goods that may remain on hand at that close the season which is to be reduced to twenty five hundred dollars.

 

The specifications and articles are as follows.

 

Specification.  For the letting of the mining and transportation of from 30,000 to 60,000 tons of coal at the Beaver Meadow mines free from slate or other impurities. The proposals may embrace both the mining and transportation; either Collectively  or Separately.

 

The Contractor for mining and delivering into the Rail Road Cars will be required to find all materials and labor for repairing of mine Cars, road, Wagons Carts and ?, feed for horses, mules and oxen and  ? for same: also to keep the sercons of every description in repair, to cut the proper timber, cart it to the mines, and prep the mines in such manner as the mining engineer may direct. Also to find all powder candles, oil or other material and Implements which he  or they may require for mining any number of tons less than 30,000 or more than 60,000 tons during the boating season of 1840. They will be required to have in the mines as many lineal feet of drifts or levels as he or they may find available at the Commencement of the Contract, or pay the cost per foot for driving as many feet as he or they may be deficient  of the amount that the Commencement of said Contract. That contractor will also be required to drive airways, or shafts which the mining engineer made deem necessary for the safety of the mines. The Company will furnish the Contractor with all the mules, horses and oxen necessary to carry on the work, said horses, oxen and mules to be weighed at the Commencement of the Contract, and returned at its close as: each mule, horse and ox to weigh as many pounds when returned as when received or the contractor to pay 25 cents per pound for all such deficiency one each and every animal, and to return the same without broken bones or limbs; in case the leg of any animal shall be broken the Contractor will be required to pay the price at which said animal was inventoried when received by him (natural decay excepted).

 

The company also agrees to furnish an outfit of the following articles on hand ? Wagons, Carts and mine Cars, all of which shall be returned by the Contractor or Contracts in as good order and is when received by him or them. The company also agrees to furnish whenever drills and picks or other mining implements which they may have one hand at the Commencement of the contract. The same to be returned at the expiration of contract as many pounds of each respective kinds has there were and found previously received. The Company will also furnish the use of their sawmill to saw such lumber as may be required for use of the mines. The contractor to pay the cost of repairs to the mill and the delivery of the lumber at the mill and the mines.

 

7000 tons will be required from Slope No. 3  (new mines) subject to the foregoing regulations and restrictions. Proposals for continuing Slope No. 3 to the bottom of the basin will be accepted. The Company will put in the pump and remove it when the mining engineer shall decide that it is  expedient. The Contractor will be held responsible for the rent of all mine houses occupied by his workmen. (The Company reserves the services of the Stationery Engineers and the rights of paying their wages.) The Contractor will be required to furnish all fuel and oil and repairs to the Stationery Engines for the whole of the mining operations to be subject to the discretion of the mining engineer.

 

The proposition for the transportation must include all expenses of taking the cars from the mines after they are loaded and delivering those cars to the loading dock at Parryville, to include the following items viz: Repairs to Locomotives, to include labor and materials, or in other words, any expense necessary to keep a moving train in repair, together with the necessary workmen (except the Locomotive Engineer, who will be kept in the pay of the Company, also the ? at Weatherly Shops). The repairs to ? to be at the expense of the Contractor. The company will furnish the requisite number of Locomotives and Cars, mules and horses for the planes, horse wagons and carts necessary for the ? of transportation, the whole of which must be fed and kept in order at the expense of the Contractor as in the foregoing regulations. All material which the company now has on hand it will be furnished to the Contractor and its cost on the ground where it now lays.

 

The conveyance of ? and merchandise over the road will be as per official agreement with the Company. The percentage to be reserved to secure the faithful performance of the contract to be agreed on by the parties. The Company also agrees to furnish the Contractor with the use of a shops and Weatherly together with the stock of tools now in use. The same to be inventoried at the Commencement of the Contract and to be returned at its termination, in good order ? to inventory as to both quality and quantity. The Contractor will be held responsible for the collection of the rents of all houses belonging to the Company which the men in his employee may occupy.

 

ARTICLE OF AGREEMENT made and concluded this 4th day of April 1840 between the President ? and Company of the Beaver Meadow Rail Road and Coal Company of the first parts and A. H. Vancleve, Hopkin Thomas, Jacob Thomas, and William R. McKean , all of Beaver Meadow doing business under the firm of Vancleve & Co. of the second part.

Witnesseth,

That the party of the first part and agree to accept the propositions of the party of the second part agreeably to the specifications and proposals here to annexed and made part of this Contract to mine and transport coal subject to the following additions, modifications and examplifications, to wit

 

1st. A ton of coal shall be two hundred and forty pounds. The agent of the Beaver Meadow company at Parryville shall keep an account of all clean coal cargo & ? delivered there that will pass over a three-quarter-inch screen and also of the Limeburners Coal  (which is that coal which will pass through a three quarter inch and over a one quarter-inch screen) and render a statement as thereof to each party weekly. For the  Limeburners Coal the Company agrees to page 90 cents per ton for what is made at Parryville for mining and transportation.

 

2nd. The coal dust, slate and dirt Vancleve and Co. are to carry off from the mines and deposit as heretofore.

 

3rd. Vancleve & Co. are to deposit the Coal as directed by the Beaver Meadow company or its agents at Parryville, at the Bank at the mines or any intermediate points on the R. R.

 

4th. Vancleve & Co. shall keep an accountant of all Coal sold at the Borough of Beaver Meadow and shall pay the Company all the amount of said sales over 100 ton  ten cents per ton of 2000 pounds, and render an account monthly thereof to the company.

 

5th. The Wharton Vein Slope shall be driven down by Vancleve & Co. at 25 dollars per linear yard as the proposed by them until the 1st day of December next; the company reserving the right to stop said work at  any earlier date.

 

6th. Vancleve & Co. agree to pay the wages of all the Engineers and for so doing the Company agrees to pay them seven cents per ton on all merchantable Coal mined and transported by them, but the charge of seven cents not to be made on the companyÕs Coal now stocked at the mines.

 

7th. The payment for mining and transporting of coal shall be made as follows. 37-1/2 percent of the amount as it becomes due shall be paid at the end of each month and 37-1/2 percent in four ? after the end of each month for the amount then due, that balance of 25 percent shall be retained in hands of the Company to the amount of 6000 Dollars until this Contract shall be fulfilled, when it shall be paid in three equal payments that sixty and ninety days he is hand at ? from the termination of the Contract. The amount due for driving down the Wharton slope one and one-half at the end of each month and the other in four months.

 

8th. Should the Company wish other Coal then that from their own mines transported, it shall be done and by Vancleve & Co. on the same terms as for the CompanyÕs own coal.

 

9th. An account of the stock of all material which the company now have on hand shall be taken as soon after the Contract is signed as can be done and before any of it is used by Vancleve & Co. and be charged to them so money paid for mining and transportation and in five monthly payments, and what may not be used by the 1st of December next to be returned to the company at the same price.

 

10th The Company agrees to rent the Weatherly shops to Vancleve & Co. until the first day of December next for the sum of one hundred Dollars.

 

11th. It is further agreed that Vancleve & Co. shall transport all merchandise that may offer and pay the company 50 cents per ton for expenses of loading it at Parryville and the  tolls as now fixed. The CompanyÕs Agent show furnish bills thereof to Vancleve & Co.

 

12th The Officers, Directors and and men employed by the Beaver Meadow Company shall have the right to pass on the cars up and down the Rail Road free of charge and that the passenger Cars shall run has heretofore, the passage money to go to the benefit of Vancleve & Co.

 

13th. Vancleve & Co. shall open a store, the stock of sound goods that may remain one hand at the close of this season, the Company agrees to take of them the at cost exclusive of transportation, to an amount not exceeding four thousand Dollars.

 

14th All work of the Company now in progress or unfinished, Vancleve & Co. agree to direct and oversee without charge to the company, also to furnish workmen for the purpose, and an account of their wages which the Company are to pay.

 

15th The Company agrees that no more than one active train and 12 cars shall be retained at Parryville by them.

 

16th The coal used for repairs of their old and for their unfinished work, the, Company will make no charge, but for that which may be required for new work, and what Vancleve & Co. may sell at Weatherly, they are to credit the Beaver Meadow Company with, at the rate of one dollar and 12-1/2 cents per ton of 2000 pounds clear of mining and transportation, and what may be delivered at other places in the same proportion.

 

17th. Anything herein continued shall not be construed as to impair the right of the Company and all times to the full possession and control of the mines, Rail Road and all the other property of every description belonging to the Company.

 

18th This agreement shall not go into effect until the same shall be ratified by the Directors of the Beaver Meadow Company at their offices in Philadelphia and notification their of given to Vancleve & Co.

 

To the President and Directors of the Beaver Meadow R. R. and Coal Company:

 

Gentlemen:

 

We the undersigned propose to mine and transport to the trestle work at Parryville 30,000 tons of coal subject to the regulations set forth in the specifications filed in your office in Beaver Meadow and for the sum of one dollar and 60 cents per ton for all coal processed from the mine wagons over the Chute into the Rail Road Cars. For all coal mined and stocked at the mines and then loaded it into the Rail Road Cars one Dollar & 68 cents per ton; or we will mine and deliver over the Chutes into the Rail Road Cars 30,000 tons for 96 cents per ton and for so much of the said 30,000 tons as may be stocked at the mines, ninety cents per ton for loading from the stock into the Rail Road Cars nine cents per ton and for transporting to Parryville sixty four cents per ton after it is loaded into the Rail Road Cars. For all coal transported to to any intermediate point two and a half cents per ton per mile. For all coal delivered at Beaver Meadow one Dollar and eight cents per ton. We also propose to drive down the Wharton Vein or Slope No. 3 for the sum of 25 Dollars per yard, provided the company furnish a sufficient pump to keep the slope free from water and pay the expenses of moving said, whenever the same should be considered necessary by the mine Engineer. The company also to furnish screens and fixtures to clean and load the coal at No. 3 slope. We also agreed to deliver the animals, tools, etc. in good order as per specifications. Damages by fire, tempest and flood and natural decay only excepted.

 

Respectively yours, A. H. Vancleve, Hopkin Thomas, Jacob Thomas, William R. McKean.

Beaver Meadow March 24th 1840

 

 

Unknown page, April 1840

 

Resolved That the offer of Vancleve & Co. to build mine cars (as noted below) be accepted the number to be built at present not to exceed 25.

 

Beaver Meadow, April 21st, 1840

Robert Pearsall, Esq.

 

Dear Sir

 

We the undersigned propose to build any number of Mine Cars which the Beaver Meadow railroad company may require at the following rates.

For Wharton Vein or Slope No. 3 at 63 Dollars per car

For Old Mines or Slope No. 1 at 67 dollars per car.

For all plain Iron Castings the said Company may require for the sum of 3-1/2 cents per pound.

For all Cone and Pipe castings 3-5/8 cents per pound. 

For all Axle Castings 35 cents per pound and all wrought  work 11-1/2 cents  per pound except nails. Provided the Beaver Meadow R. R.  Company agree to furnish the Circular Saw, Boring Machines,  Mortising Machines, Screw Cutter, and ?.

 

Yours Respectfully

Van Cleve & Co. & G. Van Hagen

 

Items for Mine Cars required

0.9 Feet Lumber @ 160                                           $4.70

Framing                                                                5.25

162 ft of wrought iron @ 11-1/2                               18.63

4 Wheels 88lb each @ 3-3/4                                     13.20

Axles  105 lb each @ 6                                           1.30

Smith work per set of axles                                      2.50

Boring wheels                                                        2.42

For Wharton Vein                                                   $53.00

For old Mine Cars add                                            4.00

Total                                                                    57.00

 

Page 112  May 18th 1840

 

Resolved 

That the Treasurer is directed to pay to Samuel D. Ingham, the five hundred dollars due him, also interest from May 28, 1839 to April 1st last $3,934.91 cents. And the President and Treasurer are authorized and requested to sign and seal for bonds to him all to the dates April 19th with Interest annually.

One for one thousand dollars payable April 1st ,1841.

One for one thousand dollars payable April 1st, 1842.

One for one thousand dollars payable April 1st, 1843.

One for four hundred thirty four 91/100 dollars payable April 1st 1844.

Said bonds being for the balance due  said Samuel D. Ingham on the ? property, now called Weatherly shops has per agreement of June 13th 1839 and deed of himself and wife dated the 16th of May 1840.

 

 

Page 115 August 18th 1840

 

The special meeting of the board was held stay at 11 o'clock. Present: Messrs. Pearsall, Weatherly, Wharton, Scull & Houston The committee who visited the mines made a record as follows

 

Report Of the committee consisting of measures Messrs. Perot, Rowland and the President of their visit to the Company's mines & R. Road from the 4th the through the 12th of August inclusive.

 

The Contractors Van Cleve & Co appear to be conducting their operations agreeably  to our understanding of the agreement with them. The Rail Road is generally in good order, the five miles on the Quakake, in consequence of twenty trains running over its daily with Locomotives requires constant attention.

 

Of the 5 Bridges over the Quakake, the middle one has been put in order to stand without props, all others are propped to and will stand ? fall, but previously to winter they will have to be strengthened, so to stand alone; or immediate preparations must be made for building new ones. If the latter she'll be decided on by the Board, we recommend that they shall be constructed for a double track.

 

The propriety of a double track for the five miles from Weatherly to Penn Haven we refer for consideration of the Directors. The repairs of the lower ? Bridge is in proposal. The lower Bridge of the Lehigh requires the string pieces to be strengthened, for which ? have been given and the timber got out. Directions were given our Vancleve to have a roof put over the screens at the Wharton slope. They estimate the cost at 50 dollars for this slope. 20 more mine cars are wanted, the lumber for them was requested to order.  The only place on the Lehigh River belonging to this company that appears entirely suitable for a coal landing or a shipping port above Mauch Chunk is just above the Turnhole house ??? . Mr. Lathrope has finished the map of the mines at the old workings; it is here where if presented, also Mr. FisherÕs report of his examination of them  and opinions . Mr. Stubbs  states to us  he was likely to be ? to expenses by his neighbors, in relation to moving the road. In consequence of which we agreed to obtain an 25 dollars in the price ??. Expenses amount to so much. The lot was sold (originally) to him for $200 payable $50 every two months. The boilers of the Stationery Engine at the Wharton Slope, made by Mr. Merrick, have been only ten months in use, and are out of order; it will cost three hundred dollars to repair them.

Philadelphia August 14th 1840

Joseph Perot

James Rowland

Robert Pearsall President

David Weatherly

 

 

Resolved That the above report be accepted and it together with Mr. FisherÕs, be entered in the minutes.

 

To the President and Managers of the Beaver Meadow R. R. and Coal Company

 

Having been requested to examine the mines at Beaver Meadow and reports upon their condition, how much available Gangway was driven at the expense of the company, at the time that Contractor took possession under the contract, and generally upon such matters as should occurin the course of my examination, suggestions for the benefit the company; I respectfully report that I have given the mines a careful examination and find them well secure, in good working condition, and well ventilated. The contractors had the driven some length of Gangway before I went into the mines but Mr. Thomas states that there was 130 ???. (There follows the completion of this report which was not recorded during the November 2006 visits. It would be useful to record and document of this report at some future date.)

 

 

Page 120 October 27th 1840

 

Tuesday evening half past four,  October 27th 1840. Board met to agreeably  to adjournment.

 

Present Messrs. Pearsall, Dulls, Wharton, Scull, Budd, and Weatherly..

 

They committee whom was referred the proposals of Van Cleve &  Co. relatives in mining, transporting coal, etc. made reported as follows.

 

The executive committee to whom was referred the proposals of A. H. Van Cleve, Hopkins Thomas, William R. McKean and Jacob Thomas, for mining and transporting coal, etc. for next year dated October 22nd 1840

 

Report that they have carefully considered said proposals and have concluded to advise the board not to accept the same, but in place thereof to offer for the acceptance of said Van Cleve &  Co. the following.

 

First. That they should mine and transport to Parryville Fifty Thousand Tons of Merchantable coal from the mines of the Beaver Meadow Company between the first day of December next and the closing of the boating season in next year, say on our after the first a of December 1841, for the Sum of One dollar and Sixty Seven cents per ton and eight cents per ton additional on coal from Stock, and to be subject to all the privileges, restrictions and regulations set forth in the specifications given by us and the contract entered into between this company and the same Van Cleve & Co. on the 4th day of April 1840 for the Government of both parties. The Company to pay for Limeburning Coal made at Parryville the Sum of Ninety Cents per ton and for Lineburners Coal made at the mines and transported to Parryville  One Dollar and Six Cents per ton. Van Cleve & Co in addition to the other requisitions and included in the amount above named are to keep them repair the Water Stations, Locomotive houses and the Engine houses, Machine and other shops at Weatherly and Plane houses  – or in other words they shall furnish all materials of every description, all feed for animals, and pay all expenses of Labor incurred in mining and transporting said60,000 tons of coal and do said repairs.

 

Second. The Beaver Meadow Company are to build four bridges over the Quakake and repair the Lattice Bridge.

 

Third.  Van Cleve & Co. agree to repair the CompanyÕs railroad and bridges and furnish materials and keep them in order during the aforementioned time for mining and transporting coal, for the Sum of Ten thousand four hundred & twelve Dollars to be paid to them as they may have to pay it  -  and should  the cost of said repairs not amount to said sum the Beaver Meadow company are  to have the advantage of any saving in the expense from the estimate as above. Rail Road Iron & Spikes are to be furnished by the Beaver Meadow Company for said repairs of the road without charge to Van Cleve & Co..

 

Fourth. The Beaver Meadow company IÕve to have the right of passing over their road One Hundred Thousand Tons the five miles along the Quakake in addition to what may be transported from my in their own mines and on all ? of coal that may be transported besides our own and Said 100,000 Tons -  we to pay Van Cleve & Co. one-third of our regular rates of toll.

 

Van Cleve & Co.  shall pay this company for the use of the Weatherly Shops during the continuation of this contract, that is until December in 1841 the Sum of $150.

 

Van Cleve & Co.  shall pay for all damages by lapses incurred in consequence of any defects in the railroad & bridges while under their care.

 

Is further proposed that Van Cleve & Co. shall drive the tunnel (about Eleven chains) from the deep cut in the perpendicular run to Slope No. 4 proposed to be made by Mr. Fisher and timber the same in a good and substantial manner for the Sum of $1200  - the earth excavated is to be carried off and deposited in the swamp by them.

 

It is proposed that this shall not affect any arrangements that the Beaver Meadow R. R. Co. may here after make with the Summit Coal Company for the transportation of their Coal.

 

Resolved. That the president be requested to make a contract with  Van Cleve & Co. agreeably to the above report. See copy of article of agreements next page.

 

Resolved. That the Treasurer is authorized to accept the drafts of Van Cleve & Co to the amounts of ten thousand Dollars generally at Six Months, in anticipation of Coal to be mined and transported by them under the Contract intended that to be made with them.

 

 

Minutes of the Executive Committee blank the President in the agreements entered into with the Van Cleve & Co , as follows, which was approved.

 

First. Articles of agreement made and concluded this 28th day of October (1840) Eighteen hundred and forty, between the Beaver Meadow Rail Road and Coal Company of the one part and A. H. Van Cleve, Hopkins Thomas, William R. McKean , and Jacob Thomas of the other, (unrecognized text), that the said party of the Second part shall mine and Transport fifty thousand Tons of Marketable Coal from the mines of the Beaver Meadow Railroad and Coal Company to Parryville between the first day of December next and the closing of the boating Season in the next year, say on our after the first day in December 1841 for the Sum of one dollar and sixty-seven cents per ton and eight cents per ton and additional on coal Stocked at the mines by them, and be subject to all the privileges, restrictions and requisitions set forth in the specifications given and this contract entered into between the same parties.

 

On the 4th day of April last past, for the government of both parties, The Beaver Meadow company are to pay for Limeburning coal made at Parryville, this Sum of ninety cents per ton and for Limeburners Coal made at the mines and transported to Parryville the sum of one Dollar and six cents per ton – Van Cleve & Co  in addition to the other requisitions included in the amount above named are to keep in repair all the water Stations Locomotives, houses Engine houses, Machine and other shops at Weatherly, and the plane houses, or in other words they shall furnish all materials of any description, all feed for animals, and pay all expenses, any labor incurred in mining and transporting said fifty thousand times of coal, and do said repairs.

 

Second.  The Beaver Meadow company are to build four bridges over the Quakake Creek and repair the lattice Bridges.

 

Third. The party of the second part agree used to repair the Beaver Meadow CompanyÕs Rail Road and Bridges and furnish materials and keep the same in order during the before mentioned time, (say not less than one year from the first of December next) for mining and transporting: Coal, for the sum of  $1200 to be paid to them by the Beaver Meadow Company as Van Cleve & Co  may have to pay it, and should the cost of said repairs not amount to the said some, the Beaver Meadow company are to have the advantage of any saving in the expense from the estimate has above. Rail Road Iron and spikes are to be furnished by the Beaver Meadow Company for said repairs of Road without charge to Van Cleve & Co.

 

Fourth. The Beaver Meadow Company hard to pay Van Cleve & Co. one-third of the regular rates of toll on all Coal that may pass over the said Rail Road over and above what shall be transported from the Beaver Meadow CompanyÕs mines and any one hundred thousand tons in addition thereto for five miles along the Quakake Creek.

 

Fifth. The Van Cleve & Co. shall pay the Beaver Meadow company the sum of 150 dollars for the use of the Weatherly Shops  during the continuation of this contract, that is until December 1841.

 

Sixth. Van Cleve & Co. shall pay for all damages or loss incurred in consequence of any and every defects in the Rail Road or Bridges whilst under their care or charge.

 

Seventh. Van Cleve & Co. agree to drive the tunnel (about 11 chains in length) from the deep cut in the perpendicular run to Slope No. 4 as proposed to be made by Mr. Fisher a and timber the same in a good and substantiall manner for the Sum of twelve hundred and ten Dollars. The earth excavated is to be carried off by them and deposited in the Swamp.

 

Eighth. It is agreed that this article of agreement shall not affect any arrangements that the Beaver Meadow R. R. Co. may hereafter make with the Summit Coal Company for the transportation of coal from said CompanyÕs mines..

 

Ninth. All property belonging to the party of the first part committed to Van Cleve & Co. is to be delivered up to the Beaver Meadow R. Road and Coal Company is as good order as when recÕd. by them, damage by tempest, fire and flood only accepted.

 

Robert Pearsall, President of the Beaver Meadow Rail Road and Coal Company.

A. H. Van Cleve, Jacob Thomas, Wm. R. McKean, Hopkin Thomas.

 

Page 130, December 19

 

Resolved, That the proposal of Van Cleve & Co., as stated in the following letter be accepted, provided that they keep the houses in good and demonstrable repair.

 

Beaver Meadow, Nov. 18, 1840

 

To the President of the Beaver Meadow Rail Road and Coal Co.

 

Dear Sir

We the subscribers propose to keep the mine dwelling houses, the two houses at the Saw mill and the house on the Prattt tract in repair and pay you the sum of five hundred Dollars for rent for the Year ending December 1st 1841 the payment to be made at the Close of each mo.

 

We also propose to keep the mine dwelling houses at Beaver Meadow in repair for the sum of seven dollars per annum for each house which may be occupied. We further propose to keep the dwelling houses at Weatherly in repair and pay you this sum of 126 d0ollars for the year ending December 1st 1841 payable as before. Provided that the above propositions shall in no way be so construed as to hold us responsible for damages to said houses by tempest, fire or flood.

 

Page 131 Late 1840.

 

A special meeting of the Board was held this evening at 7:oÕclock. Present Messrs. text, Wharton, Weatherly, Budd &  Rowland. Mr. Pearsall, President in the chair.

 

A proposition below of Van Cleve & Co. dated 16 text for building us 28, rail cars and  three dump cars, for straightening slope No. 5 and for ten timbering the seven foot run under where the proposed Engine and Plane houses are to be built for text has been this severally considered, were on Resolution accepted, with the understanding that  text and suitable timber are to be used.

 

Van Cleve & Co. proposals.

 

We the undersigned proposed to build 20 Rail Road coal cars with double breaks in every way to conform to those now on your road for this sum of 146 dollars per car and five cars without breaks for the sum of 130 dollars per car, three dump cars at one hundred dollars per car, all them payable as follows. One-half in 90 days after one-half of the cars are completed, the balance in 90 days after the whole number is finished.

 

We propose to straighten slope No. 5 and re-lay the Rail Road on the slope, do all the timber rain and all other work necessary to complete the slope for 330 dollars,  one-half to be paid in 60 days after one-half of the work is finished, the balance in 60 days when all is complete.

 

This supporting of the roof over the six and seven foot vein where the coal has been worked out on which the Stationary Engine for Slope No. 4 will have to be placed together with the Plane house at the head of the plane leading to No. 1  the slope number for will have to be placed will cost as follows, for a space of 55 by 60 feet square for Engine house and  20 by 50 feet for the Plane house 55 x 60 x 2 = 6600 text  1/5 for space in which timber cannot be placed leaves 1280 cubic feet in the two veins required to be text for the Engine house and 20 x 50 x2 = 2000 cubic feet (under plane house) deduct 1/5 leaves 1600 feet plus 528 = 6880  / 36 feet the square of one law of pillar we have 191 pillar. For the building of the each pillar and filling in with text we have to pay the Miners $7 x 191 = $1337, Cutting, hauling and putting in the Mines 536,640 feet of logs at $3 for 1000 =  text,  add $1337 dollars = $2946

 

The above named prices are as low as we are willing to undertake the works for, payable one-half in 90 days after one-half is finished and one-half 90 days after the whole is completed.

 

Very respectfully

Van Cleve & Co.

C. E. von Tagen

Philadelphia, December 16th 1840

 

Page 143  February 2nd 1841

 

(Ed. These notes appear at the end of the damage report associated with the flood day of January 7th and 8th, 1841.)

 

The committee appointed Capt. A. H. Van Cleve Superintendent of the Railroad and Bridges and repairs thereof with the salary to commence the 8th next at the rate of $1500 per annum until the road can be put in the running order to such place as the board may wish. Afterwards his salary to be whatever the Board may direct until the 1st of next December.

 

The contract with him Van Cleve & Co. for keeping our road in order and approved November 23rd last was canceled. The expenses on the road since December 1st to be charged to the company, and also lumber, etc. for it contracted for by them. We ordered temporary bridges to be built over the Quakake to facilitate the repairs the below them to remain until permanent ones can be got ready to be erected. That there may be as little delay as possible in getting our coal to market, the committee made examinations along the line of the railroad for a shipping port. They found that none so desirable as Ruddles Garden on the left of bank opposite Mauch Chunk which we think he can be made had to accommodate the Sugarloaf and Hazelton Companies as well as ours. It belongs to The Lehigh Company of whom it can be no doubt be had for a small annual rent by our making a tow path for them on the outer bank of their navigation to be connected to the present tow path by horse bridges. An estimate of the cost of making a shipping port at this place will be had from Capt.  Van Cleve in a few days.

Robert Pearsall, James Rowland, and Henry Budd, Committee

 

 

Page 155 August 6. 1841

 

A special meeting of the directors was held this day at 12 oÕclock.

Present werePearsall, Rowland, Weatherly, Houston, Scull, Dulles.

 

Resolved.  That J, H.Dulles and the President be a Committee to visit our working,  and to discharge A. H. Van Cleve as Superintendent of repairs of damages, under appointment of Committee, see report 23 January last. To examine our road, bridges, mines, etc. and to direct the operations of the  Company as they made judge best for our interest. To fix Prices of coal at Shipping Port, and to grant a lease for ten years for a lot for a public School house at Weatherly, if it be asked of us.

 

Resolved. That Van Cleve & Co. may draw on up five thousand Dollars in drafts at 60 or ninety days, which drafts are intended to be discounted at the Bank in text.

 

 

Page 159   September 28th 1841

 

Board met agreeably to adjournment. Present Messrs. Pearsall. Wharton, Smith, Budd, Rowland, Dulles and Houston.

 

Resolved. That the agreements of September 7th with Parrish & Johnson for an Engine for Slope No. 5 for one thousand four hundred  and sixty dollars, six months credit, be approved.

 

Resolved.  That the agreement with Van Cleve & Co. of September 3rd for preparing the Engine of No. 3 slope for future use be approved. (Fixtures & gearing - $596; 18-in cylinder - $300).

 

Resolved. That the mining operations be stopped for the present has recommended in A. H. Van CleveÕs letter of the 20th, last.

 

 

Page 161  October 20, 1841

 

A special meeting of the board was held this evening at 7 oÕclock. Present Messrs. Pearsall, J. R. Smith, James Rowland, David Weatherly, J. Dulles, Henry Budd, T. R. Wharton, Gideon Scull

 

A letter of Proposals to the Company for mining, transportation of coal, etc. dated Beaver Meadow, October 23rd 1841, of A. H. Van Cleve, Hopkins Thomas, Jacob Thomas, and W. R. McKean having been read on motion.

 

Resolved. That the basis on which we form a contract with Van Cleve & Co. for mining and transportation of coal for the ensuing year (if we make one with them) be for Fifty Thousand Tons of merchantable coal and the Lineburners made therefrom.

 

Resolved. That the proposals of Van Cleve & Co. for mining, etc. be referred to a Committee of three under the president whereupon Henry Budd, J. R. Smith, and T. R. Wharton were appointed, who are to report the results of their proceedings to the Board. Adjourned.  Signed John McClintock.

 

 

Page 162 November 2nd, 1841.

 

At the special meeting of the board held at 4-1/2 oÕclock. Present David Weatherly, T. R. Wharton, J. R. Smith,  James Rowland, Joseph M. Dulles, and the presidentÕs.

 

The committee to whom was referred the proposal of Van Cleve & Co., report the following articles of agreement which were tread on motion.

 

Resolved. That said agreement be approved and signed by the president.

 

Article of agreement made and concluded the second day of November, 1841 between the Beaver Meadow Railroad and Coal Company on the one part and A. H. Van Cleve, Hopkin Thomas, William R. McKean, and Jacob Thomas, trading under the firm of Van Cleve & Co., on the second part.

 

 Witnesseth that the said that Van Cleve & Co. shall mine and transport for the Beaver Meadow Company from their mines to Shippin Port on the trestle there Fifty Thousand Tons of Clean Egg and Lump Coal to be passed over the screen there for the sum of One dollar and fifty three cents per ton ($1.53 ) and the Limeburners Coal that  may be made from it the sum of of Ninety two cents per ton from after the close of business of the boating season of this year to the closing of the boating season on the Lehigh River of next year (1842). Said coal to be free from slate and other impurities and for what may be delivered at any point on the road above Shipping Port two & half cents per ton per mile less than the above prices. Eight cents per ton to the paid for coal that may be stocked at the mines and afterwards loaded to the cars. For the above prices, Van Cleve & Co. are to keep in repair all Stationary and Locomotives Engines, all Engine houses and water stations, all shops and machinery contained therein, and other buildings except dwelling, all railroad iand mining cars, all screens at the mines, all wagons, cars, horses and other implements and tools in their care and belonging to the Beaver Meadow Company, also Machinery in plain houses and repairs to ropes. They are to feed and shoe all mules, horses and oxen entrusted to them, and are to supply at their own cost what other animals and other power may be necessary to mine and transport the coal agreed for as above. The mines are to be operated in a substantial and safe manner by them. They are to find all oils, powders and other materials and implements for mining and Van Cleve & Co. are to have the mines in as good and valuable a condition as when they took charge of them in April 1840. The animals and tools then received by them to be returned to the Beaver Meadow Company as agreed for under the contracts of that dates.

 

2nd article. Van Cleve & Co. are to have the use of the saw mill at the mines and at Weatherly to saw the lumber required by the mines. To cut to the props and other timber for the mines from the Beaver Meadow CompanyÕs land and also the wood for the engines as far as it will go and what other timber is needed the Van Cleve & Co. are to furnish at their own cost. They are to have the rights of using what coal may be needed for the engine in raising and transporting the companyÕs coal and for the repairs of cars, engines and other work to keep up the companyÕs stock.

 

3rd article. A ton of coal shall be 2240 pounds. The agents of the Beaver Meadow company at Shipping Port shall keep an account of all clean lump and egg coal delivered that will pass over a 3/4-inch screen, long mesh, and also the Lineburners coal, which is that coal which will pass through the ¾-inch screen and over a ¼-inch long mesh or ½-inch square mesh rolling screen and a statement thereof to each party weekly.

 

4th article. The coal dust, slate and dirt Van Cleve & Co. are to carry off from the Mines and deposit as heretofore at their own expense.

 

5th article . They Van Cleve & Co. are to deposit the coal as may be directed by the Beaver Meadow Company or its agents at the Bank, at the mines at Shipping Port or at any intermediate point on the railroad.

 

6th article. Monthly bills for mining and transporting to be due as follows; 3/8 at the end of each month, 3/8 in four months thereafter and 2/8 at six months, but the payments to be made at the convenience of both parties.

 

7th article. It is further agree that Van Cleve & Co. shall transport all merchandise that may offer, and pay the company 37-1/2 cents per ton for loading and also the tolls as text. The company agent to furnish bills to Van Cleve & Co. as usual.

 

8th article. Then Van Cleve & Co. are to pay the Beaver Meadow Company for what coal they may use or new work on text at Weatherly one dollar and twelve & half cents per ton and for all sold at Beaver Meadow Sixty five cents per ton.

 

 9th article. Van Cleve & Co. are to superintendent the repairs of the rail road  bridges etc.; make the necessary purchases, and contract for timber and employ at their own cost suitable competent supervisors of the road for the sum of one thousand dollars. They are also for said sum to pay all check rolls and bills of timber etc. and exhibit satisfactory vouchers for same. The Beaver Meadow company paying the amount of said bills.

 

10th article. Van Cleve & Co. agree to keep to the miners dwelling houses and maintain the two dwellings at the saw mill all and the houses on the Pratt tract  in repair and pay the Beaver Meadow company rent for the same for one-year ending December 1st 1842 Five hundred Dollars, and will keep the five dwellings at Beaver Meadow in repair for Seven Dollars per year for each house while it may be occupied. They will keep in repair four dwelling houses now erected at Weatherly and pay the said company the sum of one hundred and twenty-six dollars rent for the said year and for the use of the Weatherly shops one hundred and fifty dollars for the same year. Provided that no accident by fire, flood, or tempest injures said property.

 

11th article. Van Cleve & Co. are to furnish all plain iron castings ordered by the company of them for the sum of three and  half cents per pound and pipes and core castings at three and five-eights cents per pound all to be good quality, and for castings of brass or composition metal Thirty Three cents per pound, and for all wrought iron work of best quality iron Eleven cents per pound.

 

12th article. Van Cleve & Co. promise to deliver safe to the Beaver Meadow Railroad and Coal Company at the expiration of this contract all property committed to their care in as good order as when acquired by them; damage by fire, flood, tempest only accepted.

 

Signed . A. H.  Van Cleve for self and partners. Robert Pearsall, President of the Beaver Meadow R.R. & C.  Co..

 

 

Page 168 December 27th 1842

 

Resolved. That Van Cleve & Co. be allowed the use of a lot of ground at Weatherly, 50 by 200 feet, for five years or such part of said time as they remain contractors (for erecting a storehouse thereon) with permission to remove the same when they cease to be contractors with this company for mining and transporting Coal.

 

Resolved. That Van Cleve & Co. may have the use of from two to five acres of land of our Pratt tract to to clear and fence the same for their own use for five years as they may continue contractors with this company for mining and transporting Coal.

 

Page 193 September 12th 1842

 

A Special meeting of the Board was held this evening at ½ past 7

Present : Robert Pearsall, Pres., Francis R. Wharton, J. R. Smith, David Weatherly, Henry Budd, J. W. Oldenheimer, and James Rowland.

 

The minutes of the last slated meeting and of the Special meeting of the 5th last, also the minutes of the Executive and Finance Committees of August 25th were read and adopted.

 

The committee on mining & transporting coal report progress and were continued.

 

Resolved.  That the cost of pumping and keeping the mines clear during the partial suspension of operations at the mine be charged by Van Cleve & Co to our account.

 

Resolved that Van Cleve & Co have permission to finish the contract of September 3rd, 1841 for making a cylinder and gearing for the Engine at Slope No. 3 and to have the foundation laid.

Adjourned

John McClintock, .Jr.

 

Page  197  October 29, 1842

 

Articles of agreement made and concluded the 29th day of October 1842, between the Beaver Meadow Rail Road and Coal Company all the one part and A. H.  Van Cleve, Hopkin Thomas, W. R. McKean, and Jacob Thomas trading under the firm of Van Cleve & Co. of the other part.

 

Witnesseth

 

1st The said Van Cleve & Co. hereby agree to mine and transport coal for the Beaver Meadow Rail Road and Coal Company from the mines of the company to their Shipping Port opposite Mauch Chunk, to be delivered on the trestles, and to be passed over the screens there by the company, where the different qualities shall be ascertained and weighed, for prices to be governed by average sales of coal at Bristol Pennsylvania for this year ending at the close of the boating season on the Lehigh River, 1843, at which time this contract shall cease. The quantity mined and transported to me not less than fifty thousand tons nor more than eighty thousand tons of merchantable coal. And if during the continuance of this agreement, which, it is agreed shall be from the end of this boating season of this year to that of 1843, the Beaver Meadow Rail Road and Coal Company shall not be able to receive and sell over fifty thousand times of merchantable coal agreeably to the foregoing,, the regulations of prices shall be as follows:

 

2nd If the sales of coal at Bristol during the year stated shall have reached three dollars and fifty cents per ton or less, the price per ton for mining and transportation shall be one dollar and forty cents. If the average as before mentioned shall be three dollars and sixty-two and half cents per ton the price for mining and transportation shall be one dollar and forty-five cents. If the average amounts to three  dollars and seventy-five cents per ton, the price for mining and transportation shall be one dollar and forty-eight cents per ton; if the average be three  dollars and eighty-seven and half cents per ton, the price for mining and transportation shall be one dollar and fifty-one cents per ton. And if average should be four dollars or more per ton, the price of mining and transportation shall than the one the dollar and fifty-four cents per ton.

 

For the Limeburners coal, which is considered a distinct article the sales of which do not influence the foregoing average,  the Beaver Meadow Company hereby agree  to allow one dollar and twenty cents per ton now, without reference to the sales at Bristol.

 

3rd One half of the quantity of coal mined under this contract shall be taken from Slope No. 3, unless some occurrence should render it impractical, and all the coal: to be free from slate and other impurities and for what coal may be sold or delivered at any point on the railroad above Shipping Port two and a half cents per ton per mile shall be deducted from the average price.

 

4th Should the demand for coal induce the Beaver Meadow Rail Road and Coal Company to require the quantity to be mined and transported to amount to sixty thousand tons, three cents per ton shall be then deducted from the average prices for mining and transportation for the year, provided that according to the previous rates it would amount to one dollar and forty-five cents per ton. And if the quantity acquired should amount to seventy thousand tons or upwards, the rate for mining and transportation shall be one dollar and forty cents per ton without regard as to the sales or prices at Bristol – the price for limeburners coal to be continued and one dollar and twenty cents per ton.

 

5th. Van Cleve & Co. hereby injury to keep in repair at their own expense all Stationary and locomotives engines, all engine houses and water stations, all shops and the machinery contained therein and all other buildings except dwellings, all rail roads and mine cars, all screens at the mines, all wagons, carts, pumps and all other implements and tools in their care belonging to the Beaver Meadow Rail Road and Coal Company. Also all machinery in plane houses and plane ropes, the company supplying the new ones as heretofore. They are at their own expense and cost to feed and shoe all mules, horses, and oxen entrusted to them and to supply what other animals and other power may be required to mine and transport the coal agreed  for in this contract. They further hereby agree to prop the mines a safe and substantial manner and to keep them in perfect order for working in every respect and to do the repairs to the pumps etc. at their own expense, and to find all the oil, powder and other materials and implements for mining and leave the mines in as good and valuable condition as when they took charge of them in April 1840; and to return all animals, tools, implements and every other description of property belonging to the Beaver Meadow Rail Road and Coal Company received by them and placed in their charge at the close of this agreement if required an agreeably to the Contract of 1840 mentioned above.

 

6th. The Beaver Meadow Rail Road and Coal Company hereby agree that Van Cleve & Co. shall have the use of the Saw Mill at the mines and at Weatherly to saw the timber required by the mines and the privilege to cut the props and other timber for the mines from the companyÕs lands, and also the wood for the engines as far as it will go, and what other timber may be needed, Van Cleve & Co. are to furnish at their own cost.

 

It is also agreed that Van Cleve & Co. shall have the right of using what coal may be required for the engines in raising and transporting coal and for the repairs of cars, engines and other work to keep in order the property of the Beaver Meadow Rail Road and Coal Company.

 

7th A ton of coal shall weight twenty two hundred and forty pounds. The agent of the Beaver Meadow Rail Road and Coal Company at Shipping Port shall keep an accounts of all clean lump and Egg Coal delivered there, that will pass over a three-quarter-inch screen, long mesh, and also of the Limeburners Coal which is that coal which will pass through the three-quarter-inch screen and over a quarter-inch screen, long mesh, or a half inch square mesh,, rolling screen, and render a statement thereof to each party weekly.

 

8th Van Cleve & Co. hereby agree to carry off from the mines the coal dust, slate and dirt at their own expense and deposit them as heretofore.

 

9th Van Cleve & Co. agree to deposit the coal are agreeably to the directions of the Beaver Meadow Co. or its agents, at the Banks at the mines, Shipping Port, or at any intermediate points on the Rail Road.

 

10th The bills for mining and transporting shall be due as follows: three-eighths at the end of the month in which the work is done, three-eighths in four months thereafter, and two-eighths in six months, the payments to be made during the year to the best advantage of both parties, and at the close of the season any balance unpaid after a fair adjustment of the accounts, referring to the contract of 1840, shall be settled in the following manner -- three eighths cash, three eighths at four months and ttwo-eighths in six months.

 

11th It is further need that Van Cleve & Co. shall transport all merchandise that may offer and pay a the Beaver Meadow Co. thirty-seven and a half cents per ton for loading it, also the regular tolls. The agent of the Beaver Meadow Co. to furnish Van Cleve & Co. with the bills when the goods are sent.

 

12th Van Cleve & Co. agree  to pay the  Beaver Meadow Rail Road and Coal Company one dollar twelve and a half cents per ton for what coal they may use for new works or sell at Weatherly – and for all coal sold by them at Beaver Meadow sixty-five cents per ton.

 

13th  Van Cleve & Co. agree to superintend the repair of the Rail Road, Bridges, etc. and make the necessary purchases and contracts for timber and employ at their own expense a competent and suitable supervisor of the road and attend to the payment of all check rolls and bills of timber for account of the Beaver Meadow Rail Road and Coal  Company and render satisfactory vouchers for the same, for the sum of one thousand dollars that time and existence this Contract.

 

14th Van Cleve & Co. agree  to keep the main dwelling houses and the shanties, the two dwellings at the Saw Mill and the houses of the Pratt tract in repair and pay the Beaver Meadow Co. five hundred dollars rent for the same for one year ending December first 1843, and keep in repair the five dwellings at Beaver Meadow for seven dollars each per year as heretofore. They further agree to keep in repair the four dwellings now erected at Weatherly and pay said company the sum of one hundred twenty-six dollars rent for the said year, and also one hundred fifty dollars for the same year for the use of the Weatherly shops, also one hundred dollars rent for the boarding house at Weatherly for the same time and keep it in repair – provided that no accident by fire, flood or tempest injure said property.

 

15th Van Cleve & Co. agree to furnish all plain iron castings ordered by the Beaver Meadow Rail Road and Coal Company for three and a half cents per pound, and pipe and core castings that three and five-eighth cents per pound, all to be of good quality; and castings of brass and composition metal thirty-three cents per pound; and for all wrought iron works of best quality iron eleven cents per pound.

 

16th Van Cleve & Co. hereby agree that the Beaver Meadow Rail Road and Coal Company shall not be called upon to make any repairs or expenditures at the mines – Beaver Meadow or Weatherly during the year 1843.

 

17th Van Cleve & Co. do hereby agree to deliver up and return to the Beaver Meadow Rail Road and Coal Company at the expiration of the date of this contract all property of every description committed to their care by this agreement, and also own by another bearing date of April 1840, made between the same parties, in as good order as when received, damages by flood, fire and tempest excepted. Continuing in full force and hereby adopting the 17th section of said contract of 1840 as part of this agreement.

 

Signed   A. H. Van Cleve for Van Cleve & Co

Henry Budd, Pres. pro tem B.M.R.R.&C. Co..

 

 

Page 200 plus November 28th 1842

 

Resolved. That the president is hereby authorized to contract with Van Cleve & Co. for breaking into Egg and Nut sizes, as nearly as possible, one half of each kind, to the extent of not over 25,000 tons or less than 15,000 tons, at not over 20 cents per ton, to be free from dust, slate and other impurities, provided that if any machinery to be erected the for this purpose, the Beaver Meadow Co. shall not incur any part of the expenses, nor shall they, except at their own option, be required to receive it from Van Cleve & Co at the conclusion of this agreements.

 

Page 200 plus December 14th 1842

 

Resolved. That the annexed form of contract for breaking coal be submitted to  Van Cleve & Co

 

It is hereby and agreed between the  Beaver Meadow Rail Road and Coal Company on the one part and A. H. Van Cleve, Hopkins Thomas, Jacob Thomas, and William R. McKean of the other part, that the party of the second part to increase to prepare from the Merchantable Coal contracted for, in an article of agreement between the said parties dated the 29th day of October 1842, not less than 15,000 tons nor more than 25 thousand tons, at the option of the party of the first part into Egg and Nut sizes, fit for sales in market, free from slate, dirt, dust and other impurities, as nearly as possible one half of each size for which the party of the first part will pay the party of the second part 20 cents per ton. The Egg coal to pass through 2 in. by 2-1/4 inch and over 1-3/8 inch square mesh; the nut coal to pass through 1-3/8 inch square mesh and over 7/8 inch square mesh. It being further agreed that the Limeburners coal made in this operation shall be taken by the party of the first part agreeably to the contract before alluded to, provided it shall not this exceed the usual percentage produced in breaking and preparing coal in any former and ordinary manner. Should, however, the average of Limeburners  coal be greater  than usual the party of the second part hereby agrees to deliver what may be desired any surplus at Shipping Port for 92 cents per ton for whole cost of mining and transportation as per contract of 1841.

 

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About The Hopkin Thomas Project

 

Rev. July 2010