Mining. Also 7 stose, 8–9 stoce, 9 stowse. See also STOW sb.2 [Of obscure origin; possibly a contraction of slothes, pl. of stothe, STOOTH.] sing. and pl. A kind of windlass for drawing up ore; in Derbyshire, a special form of this apparatus; also, a model of this, intended not for working, but to comply with the old law which provides that the presence of an owner’s ‘stowce’ on a mining tract secures his right of possession. Hence Stowce v., trans., to mark (a ‘meer’ of ground) with ‘a pair of stowces.’
1664. in Tapping, Manlove’s Customs Lead Mines (1851), Gloss. 33. If there be any miner … that has any grove or meer of ground in the mines, he or they shall keep the same in lawful possession both stosed and yoked,… we mean one pair of stoses and one yoking of timber in all men’s sight.
1747. Hooson, Miner’s Dict., F 2. In the High Peak the Cross and Stake holds Possession, but while a Man may go home to fetch his small Stoce’s to set on it.
1802. Mawe, Min. Derbysh., Gloss. (E. D. S.), Stowces, [a] drawing-stowce, a small windlass. Ibid., Stowces, pieces of wood of particular forms and constructions placed together, by which the possession of mines is marked; a pair of stowces possess a mear of ground.
1824. Mander, Derbysh. Miner’s Gloss., 68. Stoce. First. Under this head is described the Miners drawing Stoce, also the Stoce of Pretence or Possession. Ibid., 69. The Stocing is placing the Stoce on the surface of the land under which the Mine lies, by the Miners, to denote how far their title extends.
1829. Glover’s Hist. Derby, I. 75. Small models of stowses … came in use, as the means of keeping possession.
1851. Tapping, Manlove’s Customs Lead Mines, Gloss. 33/1. Stowe or Stowse, or, as sometimes called, a Possession or Stowse of Pretence, is a machine which formerly was the only apparatus for drawing up the ore in tubs from the mine. It is constructed of seven pieces of timber, [etc.].
1876. Mid-Yorksh. Gloss., Stoarces, a frame to support a wooden roller, in the process of heaving or hoisting by hand; Nidd[erdale].
1883. Gresley, Gloss. Coal-mining, 243. Stowses, a windlass or wallow.
