The Crawshay family of Cyfarthfa, Merthyr Tydfil were very business orientated owning numerous Iron Works and Colliery. Hirwaun Iron works being one of many. Crawshay Bailey was the member of the family that started it all. In 1835 he purchased Aberaman Estate but he waited until the completion of the Aberdare to Taff Vale railway before opening his Iron works and Colliery. Abergwawr Colliery was sunk in 1854 by Thomas Powell.

Powell leased 65 acres of Aberaman estate, upon where Abergwawr Colliery was located. In 1866 Aberaman Colliery was purchased by Powell Duffryn Company and continued to be mined up until 1962. When the pit was closed.