Pre 1900.   Owned by Henry Briggs, Son & Company Ltd. Briggs was the first mineowner to employ a profit-sharing scheme for his workers. He commissioned Charles F. A. Voysey, who became an internationally recognised architect, to design housing - Whitwood Terrace - and a Miners’ Institute for his workforce.   Whitwood Colliery was sunk in 1874, coal was reached on December 14th 1876, and the pit finally closed approximately 1970.