The origins of the Chamber Colliery Co can be traced back to c.1750, when James Lees first sank pit shafts in the Oldham Coalfield, but its history is complex. By 1848 it was trading under the firms of William Jones & Co and Joseph Jones Jr & Co. On the 1 June 1848 these partnerships were dissolved when Joseph Jones Jr, John Worthington, Nathan Worthington, John Duncuft Worthington and George Henry Worthington stepped down leaving William Jones, John Lees, James Lees, Joseph Lees, William Booth and Joseph Marsland as partners. The Chamber Colliery Co then continued under the style of William Jones & Co.
On the 19 January 1857 the partnership of William Jones & Co was dissolved and William Jones died later in the year. Joseph Marsland and a John Joseph Jones stepped down at this time but it seems that William Booth had stepped down beforehand. This left John Lees, James Lees and Joseph Lees as the sole partners and the Chamber Colliery Co then continued under the style of John Lees & Brothers.
The comprehension of records is obscure due to there being two William Jones and two Joseph Jones.
In 1877 the Chamber Colliery Co was incorporated as a limited company under the style of the Chamber Colliery Co Limited (Company No. 11821) and its Registered Office was in Hollinwood. This company was dissolved in 1951, following the nationalisation of Britain's coal industry on the 1 January 1947 (vesting day).
By 1880 the Chamber Colliery Co was working the following collieries in the Oldham Coalfield:
| Colliery | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Alkrington | Alkrington, Middleton |
1879-1897 |
| Chamber* | Werneth | 1784-1928 |
| Denton Lane | Chadderton | 1855-1894 |
| Ferney Field | Chadderton | 1852-1895 |
| Honeywell Lane | Oldham | Active 1880 |
| Hunt Clough | Chadderton | 1826-1897 |
| New Earth | Lees | Active 1880 |
| Oak (Victoria & Albert Pits) |
Hollinwood | 1848-1956 |
| Rhodes Bank | Oldham | 1841-1885 |
| Stockfield | Chadderton | 1865-1914 |
| Woodpark | Bardsley | 1836-1955 |
The Lees family also had other local mining interests including the following:
| Colliery | Location | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Fairbottom Colliery | Near Park Bridge | 17th century-c.1888 |
| Dock Pit | Near Park Bridge | 17th century-c.1870 |
| Rocher Colliery Co Ltd | Near Park Bridge | 18th century-1891 Incorporated in 1873, Company No. 7050 |
| Bardsley Colliery Co | Bardsley | Diamond and Victoria Pits. After 1866 worked by John Lees & Brothers. Date of closure unclear |
| Werneth Colliery Co | Hollinwood | John Lees & Brothers worked several coal mines. Dates of closure unclear |