Biography:
1. William Dyer, according to records dated the 27th November 1788 and 27th January 1789 (both Supply 5/212) was promised to be continued, since he had previously worked for Mr. Walton.
2. Personnel Return (Supply 5/212 dated 21st March 1789) recorded that he was earning 1/6d per day for work in the Corning House.
3. In Supply 5/213 dated the 18th April 1789, he is described as "cutting and planting willow trees, cutting of canal at the new Corning House, removing earth to the Store, unloading barge of coals & charring wood."
4. Supply 5/214 dated September 1789 recorded his age as 25 years, and in this Return he is described as "Corning Gunpowder". Supply 5/214 dated the 27th March 1790, confirmed that he was working in the Corning House, as was the case until January1794, according to Supply 5/216 dated the 31st January 1794.
5. Robert Coleman, Clerk of the Cheque, stated that on the 13th and 14th May 1793, William Dyer had gone away from his watch without leave, and was ordered off his watch. (Winters' Centenary Memorial, p.39).
6. Coleman also reported on the 31st May 1794 that Dyer was discharged for improper conduct at the "Club" which was being used by the Waltham Volunteers' Militia. However, it would appear that he was re-engaged, since on the 15th January 1795, Robert Coleman recorded "Dyer and Mold sent with two loaded waggons to Purfleet." (There was a severe frost in January 1795 which prevented barge transport, and, therefore, work stopped at the Mills).
