Biography:
1. Thomas Cole was employed as a Labourer in the Engineers's Department at 1/6d per day. Between August and September 1790 he worked within the Manufactory, with his wages submitted by William Spry, Colonel commanding the Royal Engineers, and paid by the Storekeeper, James Wright. Thomas signed for his pay with a firm hand (WASC 1382).
2. According to a Report dated the 8th May 1801, Thomas was working as a Labourer Foreman in the Engineers' Department; he was a married man with 1 child, and was paid 1/9d per day, having started work at the Mills in 1790 (Supply 5/221).
3. In a letter dated the 23rd June 1801 (Supply 5/195) it was stated that the writer had "the Board's commands to transmit to you on the other side hereof a list of the men who have been burnt and otherwise hurt by the fire which lately [16th June, 1801] destroyed the Corning House at Waltham Abbey; and I am to desire the storekeeper will pay the men all of their pay until they are recovered." Winter's in his book "Centenary Memorial" made it clear that the men were employed in repairing the Corning House which had blown up on the 18th April 1801, and that the fire was caused "from the blow of a copper hammer on pit wheel."
4. The list dated the 23rd June 1801 (Supply 5/195) included Mr. Cole, and stated therein, "we beg to represent the situation of the poor men who were burnt when the Corning House took fire 16th instant while under repair." It further stated that Mr. Cole and two others were "Burnt so as to prevent them working, but they may soon be well." and "Our surgeon has represented the necessity of the men most burnt having immediate assistance in wine, as a considerable Suppuration is come on their constitutions. They cannot Support it without wine, and we have directed wine to be immediately provided to them, and request your permission for our continuing to Supply these poor men with such wine or other proper Support as their surgeon may think their respective situations require."
5. In a letter to the Board dated the 29 July 1801 (Supply 5/221), it was recorded that the men, including Thomas Cole, who were burnt at the Corning House on the 16th June, suffered so much that they wished for death to release them from their torture, and it was a matter of surprise that they were recovering. The constant attention the men needed meant that their wives could not undertake seasonal work (haymaking) when they could earn sufficient to pay the rent. It was requested, therefore, that financial allowances be made.
6. A List of Officers and Others Employed (Supply 5/222 dated the 8th May 1804) showed Thomas was still working as a Labourer in the "Engineers' Department Established", earning 1/6d per day with "one day extra allowed per week agreeable to the Board's Order dated 12th March 1801."
7. A List of Foremen, Artificers and Labourers Employed dated the 30th January 1806 (Supply 5/224) showed Thomas was a Warder earning 2/-d per day, and that he had 16 years' service, which agrees with the first entry.
8. He was still a Warder in 1807 and 1808 according to the List of Officers, Foremen, and Artificers, etc. Employed dated the 23rd August 1808, when he earned 2/-d per day, and was allowed to watch in turn (Supply 5/227).
9. List of Employees (Supply 5/229 dated the 29th August 1812) confirmed that he was still employed as a Warder in August 1812, but that his pay had increased to 2/8d per day.
10 List of Employees (Supply 5/230 dated the 13th February 1814) confirmed the information given in Note 8.
11 List of Persons in Employment dated the 2nd March 1816 (Supply 5/230) recorded that Mr. Thomas Cole was still a Warder who had served 27 years, and his age was given as 76. It was recommended that he receive a daily superannuation of 2/8d. In the attached notes was the comment that Mr. Cole and others should be superannuated "...because of the hurts they have received in this dangerous manufactory." It was also stated therein that Mr. Cole "has been getting more feeble every month for several years past, and is now incapable of exertion and quite worn out." However, in a letter dated 6th March 1816 (Supply 5/200), Mr. Cole was finally awarded superannuation of only 2/-d per day for six days in the week, commencing on the 1st April 1816.
12 A supplement to a document dated the 8th November 1818 (Supply 5/231) listed persons who had been superannuated on account of their length of service in the departments. Among the recipients was "Thomas Cole, Warder" who received a pension of 12/-d per week, which commenced on the 1st April 1816.
13 List of Persons receiving Superannuation (Supply 5/232 dated the 17th November 1821) confirmed entry No. 11 above in respect of Thomas.
14 A document dated the 6th December 1821 (Supply 5/232) gave the estimated pay of persons between the 1st January and 31st December 1822 along with their superannuated allowance, as well as "the allowance to widows and orphans of those who have lost their lives at this place". It recorded that Thomas Cole, "lately a Warder" was in receipt of £31.4.0d superannuation per annum. A similar document, Supply 5/232 dated the 28th December 1821, confirmed that the same pension would be paid in 1822. This is also the case in 1826 according to Winters (p.96).
