Source/Archive record SEM8645 - Gold at North Molton, and the surviving evidence to be found on the Bampfylde Mine site, Devon

This paper is a response to an element of mis-information as to the site of the late 18th / early 19th century gold discoveries at North Molton and in the interpretation of the documentary and field evidence on the principal gold and copper mining site at the Bampfylde Mine (NGR SS737327). In a talk to the Exmoor Mines Research Group in April 1996, entitled 'The North Molton Gold Rush,' reported in their newsletter (EMRG 9, 3), David Dixon incorrectly associates both the activities of John Williams and the Prince Regent Mine with the Britannia Mine site. Some link is suggested between the new 50 foot wheel and the Berdan machine installed on the Bampfylde site by the Poltimore Copper and Gold Mining Co., which requires explanation. The presence of gold in the gossan is cast into doubt and suggestion is made of fraud on the part of the Poltimore Co. with which I cannot agree. In a more recent work (Atkinson 1997, 41-72) Dixon removes the doubt as to the presence of gold but repeats the earlier errors as to location. The opportunity is also taken to expand on Dixon's interpretation of the field evidence at Bampfylde, bringing in that for gold working, using the recent RCHME survey of surviving features on the site.