jan 1, 1690 - charcoal-pits

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The burning of charcoal took place in the woodlands on pieces of level ground and the process could take up to three days. The sites were called pits or pitsteads because their preparation involved some clearance and digging, especially the removal of any mole or rabbit holes: 1690 <i>their servants & workmen shall & will soe sett order and place their fires & Charcoale pitts … within the saide woods as may least damnifie the saide Sir John Tempest by singeing or burneing any of the trees or unpill’d wavers</i>, Tong (Mss3/386).

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