The first mine workings began in 1844. Over the next decade the village began to develop. In the 1880’s all the houses were at the bottom of the village, as was the first shop.
In the 1891 census records, the house was known as White Well Cottage with three residents listed: George Bell (aged 76), whose occupation was listed as Fruitier, his wife, Deborah Bell and Henry Knowles, his stepson. In the business directory of 1894 (Whellar & Co.), Henry Knowles is listed as Post Master at this address.
In the 1910 census, Henry Knowles had become a grocer by trade. The 1924 Kelly’s Directory of businesses states that Henry Knowles was a green grocer, and in 1929, his wife Deborah Knowles was carrying out a butchers business, as she was also listed in 1938.
White Well cottage was rebuilt in 1911, and when the well dried up it was renamed Ivy Cottage.
Throughout nearly a century, the property remained in the Knowles family. Apart from being the first post office and shop in the village, it also became a newsagent, butchers, general dealer and sweet shop.
Many children attending the village school would call in to buy sweets before or after school. Residents remember buying liquorice root to chew, sweets for a farthing, halfpenny or a penny and OXO cubes to suck.
Jackie Knowles kept a horse and cart for hawking meat around the district. His cart would be loaded up by 8.30am and he would spend the day travelling. He would finish his round in the Black Horse Inn. After drinking his fill, the horse would plod on by lantern light and take his master home safely.