Biography:
1. Henry Dews was employed as a Labourer in the Refining House and paid 1/6d per day according to a Report dated the 18th April 1789 (Supply 5/213 and Winters, p.33).
2. Supply 5/214 dated September 1789, recorded that he was 45, and employed as a Labourer refining Saltpetre.
3. A further Report of Personnel dated the 27th March1790 (also Supply 5/214) recorded that he was refining Saltpetre under John Baker.
4. Mr. Dews was still in the Refining House in January 1792 (Supply 5/215).
5. Supply 5/216 dated the 2nd May 1792, was a Report to the Board by Messrs.Wright and Clowdesly, regarding the accident and subsequent death of Henry Dews on the 30th April 1792.
It states that he was was standing in the Refining House between two coppers, with the intention of removing a pump from one of them with a block and tackle, but that he apparently forgot to hook the tackle to the pump, and that " he took hold of the fall, and not making any resistance, fell backwards into a copper of boiling Salt Petre." Although he was pulled out by other Labourers, he only lived for another 24 hours, and died on the 30th April. He had resided with John Baker, the Foreman Refiner, and had no relatives living. Before he died, he requested that his effects be left to Baker. Wright and Clowdesly, therefore, requested that the Board pay Henry's April earnings of £2.18.6d. to Baker, and permission by the Board was given to that effect.
