Biography:
1.William Carter was refining and milling Saltpetre, and paid 1/6d per day according to Supply 5/216 dated the 31st August 1794. These details were confirmed on the Return dated the 31st December 1794 (Supply 5/217).
2. William was still a Refiner on the 24th June 1795, according to Supply 5/217; this document states that he started with the Ordnance on the 21st November 1791.
3. According to Supply 5/219 dated September 1798, he enlisted with the Waltham Volunteers.
4. A signed document, Supply 5/220 of the 2nd February 1800 relating to a Petition on Pay, showed that he was illiterate and was still working as a Refiner.
5. A Report of Employees dated the 8th May 1801 (Supply 5/221) indicated that he was a married man with 6 children.
6. List of Employees dated the 30th January 1806 (Supply 5/224) confirmed that William was still employed as a Saltpetre Refiner with just over 15 years' service and paid 2/-d per day. Supply 5/226 dated the 18th June 1807 confirmed this information, but he was then allowed to watch in turn when not working "extra". Supply 5/227 dated the 23rd August 1808 and Supply 5/228 dated the 1st September 1810 confirm the information given above, as did Supply 5/229 of the 29th August 1812, but this Return recorded he was now paid 2/8d per day.
7. Mr. Carter was still a Saltpetre Refiner according to the Return dated the 13th February 1814 (Supply 5/230); he was still being paid 2/8d per day, and when not working extra, he was allowed to watch in turn.
8. Lists of Officers & Others Employed dated the 25th June 1818 (Supply 5/231 and WO54/524) stated William was still a Saltpetre Refiner, but his pay had been reduced to 2/4d per day. He was still allowed to watch in turn, for which he received 1/-d per night. He was a 53-year-old married man living in Waltham Abbey, and now had 7 children.
9. During 1818, it was proposed to reduce the Establishment at Waltham Abbey; William was to be retained, but he was subsequently reclassified as a Brimstone Refiner.
10 As a Brimstone Refiner (WO54/528 dated the 19th May 1819) he was paid 2/4d per day and allowed to watch in turn, for which he received 1/-d per night. He was then a 54-year-old married man with 7 children, living in Waltham Abbey.
11 List of Employees (Supply 5/232 dated the 13th September 1820) recorded that William was a Saltpetre Refiner who was still paid 2/4d per day, and now allowed to watch for 1/6d per night. His age was given as 55, and, according to this Return, he had 8 children. An update (Supply 5/232 of the 9th April 1821) gave similar information. and is confirmed in Supply 5/232 for 1822.
12 List of Employees dated the 6th February 1822 (Supply 5/232) confirmed that William started with the Ordnance on the 21st November 1791 as a Labourer, and that he was then a Saltpetre Refiner with an annual remuneration of £41.14.4d, which included allowances for watching. This document stated that he had been trained as a Butcher before working at the Mills, that he was 57 with 30 years' service, that he was married and had 9 children. He was still living in Waltham Abbey.
13 WO54/542 dated the 1st April 1823 confirmed that Carter was still a Saltpetre Refiner, and that his pay for the year was £39.0.0d, which included an allowance for watching in turn, for which he received 2/-d per week. His family and service details were confirmed.
14 WO54/546 dated the 1st October 1823, recorded that he was still a Saltpetre Refiner and that his annual earnings were £39.0.0d, which included an allowance for watching the works in turn, which, on average, paid him 2/-d per week.
15 According to a document dated the 1st April 1823 (WO54/542 - Alteration in Return B) William Carter had his pay reduced by £2.12.0d per annum in accordance with the Board's Orders dated the 27th December, 1822, and 15th January 1823.
16 WO/550 dated the 1st April 1825 confirmed William was still a Saltpetre Refiner and gave his basic pay as £33.16.0d per annum. It also confirmed that he was allowed to watch in turn, which gave him, on average, 2/-d per week, making his pay £39.0.0d per annum. It also confirmed his previous service details, but this Return recorded that he had only 7 children.
17 WO54/554 dated the 1st April 1826, recorded that William Carter had died.
