LETTER FROM JESSE FELL, ESQ., DESCRIBING
HIS FIRST
EXPERIMENT IN BURNING COAL FOR DOMESTIC
USE.
(Reprinted from Volume
II, MemoirČ of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.)
WilkesbarrŽ,
December 1st, 1826.
ESTEEMED
COUSIN :
When I saw thee last, I believe I promised to
write to thee and give thee some data about the first discovery and use of the
stone-coal, in our valley. (I call it stone-coal because every body knows what
is meant by that name.)
The late Judge Gore, in his lifetime, informed
me, that he and his brother, the late Captain Daniel Gore (both being
blacksmiths), were the first that discovered and used this coal in their
blacksmith's fires, and found it to answer their purpose well. This was before
the Revolutionary war, and as near as I can recollect information, about the
year 1770, or 1771, and it has been in use ever since, by the blacksmiths of
the place.
In the year 1778, I used it in nailery, and
found it to be profitable in that business. The nails made with it, would neat
the weight of the rods, and frequently a balance over. But it was the opinion
of those that worked it in their furnaces, that it would not do for fuel,
because when a small parcel was left on their fires and not blown, it would go
out. Notwithstanding this opinion prevailed, I had, for some time, entertained
the idea that if a sufficient body of it was ignited it would burn. Accordingly
in the month of February, 1808, 1 procured a grate, made of small iron rods,
ten inches in depth and ten inches in height, and set it up in my common- room
fire-place, and on first lighting it, found it to burn excellently well. This
was the first successful attempt to burn our stone-coal in a grate, so far as
my knowledge extends. On its being put in operation, my neighbors flocked to
see the novelty; but many would not believe the fact until convinced by ocular
demonstration. Such was the effect of this pleasing discovery, that in a few
days there were a number of grates put in operation. This brought the
stone-coal into popular notice. I need not mention the many uses to which it
may be applied, as you, who are in the coal concern, have the means of knowing
its value.
I find we have various qualities of coal, but
our best specimens are said to be superior to any yet known, and we have it in
sufficient quantity to supply the world. Here it is - but the best way of
getting it to market is yet to be discovered.
The market at present is down the Susquehanna
River, but great improvements must be made in the river ere it can be a safe
and sure conveyance. Looking forward, Wilkesbarre is but about eleven miles
from Lehigh below the junction of all the creeks you pass, from the Pokono to
Wilkesbarre mountain. This, I suppose, is known, and I believe the principal
transport of our coal will, in time, pass that way and down the Lehigh ; but
this I do not expect to live to see.
I
am, thy affectionate cousin,
Jonathan Fell. JESSE
FELL.
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