Woodley Coal Basins

North Woodley Coal Basin
This basin was situated just south of Murray's Bridge and Samuel Ashton of nearby Woodley Mill owned the surrounding land. Moreover, he was the occupier of Far Coal Pit Field adjoining the basin. The map does not show any pit buildings or a shaft but there would have been a shaft somewhere in the vicinity.

Coal gained here would have been taken by boat a short distance southwards to Ashton's Private Branch Canal where it would have been unloaded and used to power Woodley Mill.

South Woodley Coal Basin
This was situated a short distance from North Woodley Basin and the land surrounding the basin was both owned and occupied by Samuel Ashton of Woodley Mill.

The map shows pit buildings adjacent to the basin but it does not show the shaft. The shaft in Coal Pit Field was probably a ventilation shaft.

In the same way, coal gained here would have been taken by boat to Ashton's Private Branch Canal and used to power Woodley Mill.

Ashton Brothers
The brothers, Thomas and Samuel Ashton owned Woodley Mill (and other mills) from 1845 onwards, the firm being known as Ashton Brothers & Company.