Mineral coal came to be referred to as " seacoal " in the 13th century; the wharf where the material arrived in London was known as Seacoal Lane, so identified in a charter of Industrial processes below for modern uses of the term .)
12.
Commenting on the area's coal in his " Notes on the State of Virginia ", written in 1781 82, then-Governor Jefferson stated : " The country on James river, from 15 to 20 miles above Richmond, and for several miles northward and southward, is replete with mineral coal of a very excellent quality . " Jefferson was also referring not only to the Midlothian area, but also to the area of western Henrico County adjacent across the James River near Gayton and Deep Run.
