Ashley’s Mines Commission

Ashley’s Mines Commission-

Who- Lord Ashley, an advocate of labor reform and all the children and women that testified.

What- It was a committee of people that banded together to prevent overworking of children in mines. The testimonies taken from this commission give details about the conditions in which they worked. Women and children were preferred to men because they were paid lower wages. Testimonies include that of Thomas Dunn, the manager of the mine, Payne, the coal master, Ann Eggley, Patience Kershaw, and Isabel Wilson. Ann Eggley had never heard of Jesus, Patience Kershaw worked with naked men, and Isabel Wilson states the hardships that she has dealt with in trying to bear children under the conditions of the mines.

When- 1842

Where- Great Britain

Significance- resulted in the Mines Act of 1842 that prohibited the employment in the mines of all women and of boys under thirteen. This act led to the ability for children to become more educated and move forward civilization. It was not strictly enforced.