The grave of Thomas Hepburn, founder of the Northern Union of Pitmen, can be found in Saint Mary's churchyard at Heworth, Gateshead.

His gravestone reads: "This stone was erected by the miners of Northumberland and Durham and other friends".

It's the phrase 'other friends' that gives the inscription its power.

Conditions in collieries in 19th century North East England were hard, and colliery records reveal a frightening death toll.

Jarrow's pit was no exception. On January 25, 1817, 42 men and boys were killed there, and in a near duplication of events in August 1830, a further 42 lost their lives, leaving, on that occasion, 21 widows and 66 fatherless children.

It's in this context that the story of William Jobling must be seen.

Mineworkers had to sign an annual contract known as a bond, which meant they had to stay at a particular colliery for a year and a day.

As most pitmen of that time were illiterate, they would just write an 'X' on the bond, and the viewer or manager of the colliery would add their name for them.

Since the beginning of the 19th century, miners had voiced dissatisfaction about the conditions of their bonds, and eventually they went on strike in 1810.

No permanent union organisation existed, however, until the establishment of the Northern Union of Pitmen of Tyne and Wear, led by Thomas Hepburn, in 1831.

Hepburn was a Wesleyan, as were many pitmen. He was also a lay preacher and could read and write, courtesy of classes organised by Methodist chapels.

In April 1831, he led the pitmen in another strike. He wanted boys to work no more than 12 hours a day, rather than the 16 hours they had been putting in.

He also sought the abolition of so-called tommy shops. These were company stores charging inflated prices at which pitmen, paid in tommy checks, were forced to spend their wages.

Battles ensued between pitmen and the militia, though Hepburn pleaded with his members to shun violence.

Meetings were held at Black Fell, Boldon Colliery and Friars Goose, Gateshead.

The strike lasted until September 1831. Some concessions were gained. Hepburn was made a full-time official, but there was still bitter opposition to the unions.

In April 1832, there was another strike among the pitmen of Northumberland and Durham, and they refused to sign their annual bonds. Once again, there was violence.

On June 11, 1832, Jarrow pitmen Ralph Armstrong and William Jobling were drinking in a pub in South Shields.

On the road by the toll-bar gate, near Jarrow Slake, Jobling begged from Nicholas Fairles, a 71-year-old magistrate.

Fairles refused to hand over any money, prompting Armstrong, who had followed Jobling, to attack him with a stick and a stone.

Both men then ran away, leaving Fairles seriously injured.

Two hours later, Jobling was arrested on South Shields beach.