Biography:
1. James Cornish was born circa 1776 and started as a Carpenter's Apprentice at the age of 13 on the 16th February 1789, earning 1/-d per day (Supply 5/213 dated the 22nd August 1789).
2. In August 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. He signed for his pay with a cross (WASC 1382).
3. James joined the Volunteer Company as a Drummer Boy on the 7th May 1794 (Supply 5/219) and was sent to Woolwich in July 1795 "to be perfected in the drums".
4. James was still an Apprentice in December 1794, but his wage had been increased to 1/10d per day (Supply 5/217). This was also the case in July 1795 (also Supply 5/217) with his pay at that date amounting to 2/-d per day.
5. On the 1st March 1796, he had completed his 7-year Apprenticeship, and was taken on the Establishment.
6. A signed document, Supply 5/220 of the 2nd February 1800, relating to a Petition on Pay, showed that he was literate, and was still working as a Carpenter.
7. A Report dated the 8th May 1801 (Supply 5/221) confirmed he was still working as a Carpenter, but was then a married man with 2 children..
8. List of Officers and Others Employed (Supply 5/222 dated the 8th May 1804) confirmed that he was still a Carpenter in the "Engineers Department Established", and that his pay had increased to 2/6d per day.
