Biography:
1. William Davis was first employed mixing composition at the Mills on the 11th February 1793, at 1/6d per day. This was still the case on the 31st August 1794 (Supply 5/216) the 31st December 1794 (Supply 5/217) and the 3rd July 1795 (Supply 5/217).
2. According to Supply 5/219 dated September 1798 he was still a Mixing House Man, and the Return in question confirmed that he had enlisted in the Volunteer Company as a Private on the 7th May 1794. A Report dated the 8th May 1801 indicated that he was working as a Labourer, that he was a married man with no children and that he was still paid 1/6d per day (Supply 5/221).
3. Supply 5/222 dated the 8th May 1804 suggested William was then working as a Saltpetre Refiner and in other parts of the Manufactory, with his pay increased 2/-d per day. All Refiners received an additional allowance of 1/-d per night when it was their turn to watch - on average every 5th night.
4. According to Supply 5/224 dated the 30th January 1806, William was still a Refiner in the Saltpetre House with 13 years service and pay of 2/-d per day. This was still the case on the 23rd August 1808 (Supply 5/227) and on the 1st September 1810 (Supply 5/228), both of which stated that when he was not working he was allowed to watch in turn.
5. Supply 5/229 dated the 29th August 1812, recorded that he had been promoted as one of the 2 Foremen in charge of Saltpetre Refining and at that date, was paid 5/2d per day. He was also a Rounder every 3rd night. This was also the case on the 13th February 1814 (Supply 5/5/230).
6. Supply 5/231 dated the 25th June 1818, confirmed he was still a Foreman in the Saltpetre Refining House, but in common with the rest of the Manufactory, his wages had been reduced to 4/2d per day, although still a Rounder at 1/6d per night. He was then 48, married without children and lived in Waltham Abbey. This Return also recorded that he had been trained as a Butcher.
7. The Establishment was drastically reduced in 1818, but Davis was retained, although suffering another cut in his pay which was reduced to 3/8d per day (Supply5/231 dated the 3rd September 1818). According to Supply 5/231of the 19th May 1819, Supply 5/232 dated the 13th September 1820 and Supply 5/232 of the 9th April 1821, the basic facts remained unaltered.
8. Supply 5/232 dated the 4th April 1821, stated that Mr. Davis was living in a house belonging to the Board, and paid rent of £5.4.0d per annum. His cottage was in Powder Mill Lane, being part of Plot No.63 on the Town Map in Appendix 1.
9. In a letter dated the 15th September 1821, Davis, amongst others, applied for his superanuation. The Board in their letter of reply dated the 16 November 1821 (Supply 5/236) agreed, and his pension of £15.15.7d commenced from that date. A similar document, (Supply 5/232 dated the 28th December, 1821) confirmed that the same pension would be paid in 1822, and, according to Winters (p.95), this was also the case in 1826.
10 Supply 5/205 dated the 14th March 1827, indicated that William Davis, Pensioner, had informed the Board that he intended to quit his cottage on the 25th March 1827, recommending that Henry Brown, Labourer, should occupy the property, and, to this, the Board agreed.
