Biography:
1. Thomas Baldock started an Apprenticeship in the general manufacture of gunpowder on the 1st February 1793, and was paid 1/-d per day (Supply 5/216 dated the 28th February 1793). Although still an Apprentice in December, 1794, his wage had been increased to 1/4d per day (Supply 5/217) and in July, 1795, it had been increased to 1/6d per day (Supply 5/217).
2. According to Supply 5/219 dated the 1st September 1798, he was working in the Corning House and was also a Private in the Volunteer Company
3. A signed document, Supply 5/220 of the 2nd February 1800 relating to a Petition on Pay, indicated that Thomas was illiterate, and working as a General Labourer.
4. Thomas's seven-year Apprenticeship ended on the 11th April 1800, at which time he still worked in Corning House.
5. A Report dated the 8th May 1801 (Supply 5/221) recorded that he was working as a Labourer, and was unmarried. Note: In this document, anyone not an Artificer was described as a Labourer.
6. According to Supply 5/222 dated the 8th May 1804, he was still working in the Corning House as a Labourer, but his pay had increased to 2/1d per day. All Labourers received an additional allowance of 1/-d per night when it was their turn "to watch" - on average every fifth night.
7. Robert Coleman recorded in his Minute Book on the 23rd October 1801, that 24 men were required to work at Faversham or be discharged; Baldock was one who agreed to go according to Winters (p.60). However, the Faversham Gunpowder Personnel Register (1573-1840) does not record his name, and subsequent service entries showed that he was not discharged as his service since 1793 appeared unbroken.
8. Thomas was still working in the Corning House earning 2/2d per day (Supply 5/224 dated the 30th January 1806) and had been employed with the Ordnance at that date for 14 years. This was also the case in 1807 (List of Officers, Foremen and Artificers, etc. Employed - Supply 5/226, 18th June 1807).
9. According to the entry on Supply 5/227 dated the 23rd August 1808, Mr. Baldock was a "Foreman of Reeling Houses" earning 2/10d per day, and "in addition to their pay, they are allowed to watch in turn, for which they receive one shilling and six pence". The same details applied in 1810 (Supply 5/228 dated the 1st September 1810).
10 List of Employees dated the 29th August 1812 (Supply 5/229) recorded that Mr. Baldock was a Foreman of Corning Houses who earned 4/-d per day, in addition to which, he was a Rounder earning 2/-d every third night, as he was at the 13th February 1814, according to Supply 5/230.
11 Lists of Officers & Others Employed dated the 25th June 1818 (Supply 5/231 and WO54/524) confirmed that Thomas was still working in the Corning House, that he was 38, resided in Waltham Abbey and was now married with 3 children. He earned 2/11d per day, and was allowed to watch in turn, for which he was paid 1/-d per night.
12 A List of Employees dated the 28th August 1818 (Supply 5/231), recorded the names of people to be retained between the 3rd September and the 31st December 1818. Thomas Baldock's name was included, with his pay remaining unchanged, but his watch money reduced to 6d per night.
13 List of Employees dated the 19th May 1819 (Supply 5/231) confirmed that Baldock was still employed in the Corning House, that he was a married man aged 39 with 3 children who lived in Waltham Abbey. He was paid 2/11d per day, and was allowed to watch in turn for which he received 1/-d per night.
14 List of Employees dated the13th September 1820 (Supply 5/532) stated that Mr. Baldock had been appointed as the Foreman of the Dusting House on the 4th September 1818, and this is confirmed by WO54/536 dated the 6th February 1822. By then he was aged 40, had 5 children, and lived in Waltham Abbey. He was earning 3/4d per day, and was allowed to watch in turn, for which he was paid 1/6d per night.
15 List of Employees dated the 9th April 1821 (Supply WO54/536) recorded that Mr. Baldock was 42, earned the same 3/4d per day and 1/6d per night when on watch.
16 List of Employees at the Powder Mills (Supply 5/232 dated February, 1822), however, indicated that he was aged only 41 with 29 years' service. He still earned 3/4d per day and was allowed to watch in turn, for which he was paid 1/6d per night when on watch.
17 The above appeared to be a more detailed and, probably, more accurate Return than that dated the 9th April 1821. It stated that Thomas Baldock, Foreman of the Dusting houses, was appointed on the 1st February 1793 as an Apprentice Gunpowder Maker at Waltham Abbey. It confirmed he was appointed Foreman of the Dusting Houses on the 4th September 1818, with total earnings for the year of £52.3.4d. He had 29 years' service, was aged 41, and was a married man with only 2 children, living in Waltham Abbey.
18 Supply 5/232 dated the 21st March, 1822, listed persons to form an Establishment at Waltham Abbey to regenerate 2000 barrels of gunpowder, as well as to make 100 or 200 barrels of gunpowder annually, and stated that Thomas Baldock, Corning House Man, was to be retained.
19 A document dated the 10th October, 1822 (Supply 5/233) indicated that Thomas Baldock, Foreman of the Dusting House, had been demoted to a Corning House Man, with his pay reduced accordingly. This complied with the Board's Order dated the 22nd May 1822.
20 WO54/542 dated the 1st April 1823 confirmed that Thomas Baldock was still a Corning House Man, and that his pay for the year was now only £48.2.0d, which included an allowance of 2/-d per week for watching in turn. His family and service details were confirmed.
21 According to WO54/542 - Alteration in Return B - dated the 1st April 1823, Baldock had his pay reduced by £2.12.0d per annum in accordance with the Board's Orders dated the 27th December 1822 and the 15th January 1823. WO54/546 dated the 1st October 1823 recorded that he was still a Corning House Man and that his annual wage was £48.2.0d, which included an allowance of 2/-d per week for watching the works in turn. His service details were confirmed, but according to this document, he had 3 children.
22 Return showing pay and allowances, etc., dated the 1st October 1825 (Winters, pp. 93-95) confirmed the previous information given, and recorded that he had been in continuous service (32 years) with the Board since the start of his Apprenticeship on the 1st February, 1793. His earnings were still £48.2.0d per annum.
23 WO54/550 dated the 1st April 1825, indicated that he was still a Corning House Man and confirmed his basic pay was £42.18.0d per annum; he was allowed to watch in turn which gave him, on average, 2/-d per week, which brought his total pay for the year to £48.2.0d. His previous family and service details were confirmed. These details are also recorded in WO54/550 dated the 1st October 1825.
24 WO54/554 dated the 1st April 1826 confirmed the information given in WO54/550 dated the the 1st October 1825, as does WO54/554 of the 1st October 1826 and WO54/554 dated the 1st April 1827. The latter Return also recorded "no alteration since the last Report dated the 1st October 1826."
25 WO54/558 dated the 1st October 1827 gave the same information as in the previous notes. At that date Thomas Baldock had 34 years' service in all, and was 48 years of age.
26 Return dated the 1st April 1828 (WO54/562) recorded that he was promoted to Junior Foreman of the Corning House under Henry Coreham, with his basic annual earnings increased to £46.16.0d. He was still allowed to watch in turn, which increased his annual pay to £52.0.0d. He was 48 years of age, married with 3 children and had 35 years' service.
27 Return dated the 1st October 1828 (WO54/562) updated his age and length of service with family details and pay unchanged, as did the Return dated the 1st April 1829 (WO54/566).
28 WO54/566 dated the 1st October 1829 stated that at that date Thomas still earned the same as recorded in Note 26. His length of service was given as 30 years (Apprenticeship not included) and he was then aged 49.
29 WO54/ 570 dated the 1st April 1830 updated his age and length of service, family and pay details remaining unchanged.
30 WO54/570 dated the 1st October 1830 stated that Thomas was now 50 years of age and that he had served nearly 31 years (out of his Apprenticeship). His pay was still the same at £52 per annum as in Note 26, and all other information remained the same.
31 According to Return WO54/ 575 dated the 1st April 1831, Thomas still earned a total of £52.0.0d annually. He had now served 38 years in all, and was aged 51.
32 WO54/545 dated the 1st October 1831 updated his age and period of service in the April 1831 Return, with all other details remaining unchanged.
33 Supply 5/207 dated the 18th July 1831 recorded that The Board agreed to pay Thomas Baldock, Foreman of the Corning House, two days' pay "in consequence of the hurt received in the performance of his duty."
34 Supply 5/207 dated the 15th February 1832, showed that Thomas Baldock successfully applied to the Board for a reduction in the rent of his cottage from 3/3d to 2/-d per week, and agreeing to this request, his annual rent was reduced to £5.4.0d (Supply 5/237). The cottage in question was at the western end of Bank Cottages on the north side of High Bridge Street, being Plot No. 48 on the Waltham Abbey Town Map.
35 WO54/581 dated the 1st October 1832 confirmed that Mr. Baldock was still the Foreman of Corning Houses, earning the same £52.0.0d as before. He was 53, and had served nearly 39 years.
36 WO54/587 dated the 1st April 1833 confirmed that Thomas Baldock still earned a total of £52.0.0d per annum. His service was given as 38 years, and his age as 53.
37 WO54/593 dated the 1st April 1834 updated the previous Return for service and age, with conditions and salary remaining unchanged, as did the Return of the 1st October 1834 (no reference given).
38 WO54/623 dated the 1st October 1839, recorded that his pay was then £64.16.0d per annum, which included an allowance for being a Rounder every third night. He was married with 3 children, and his employment as a Labourer started in 1800 after his 7-year Apprenticeship had been completed..
39 According to the 1841 Census, Thomas lived in High Bridge Street North with his wife Mary, aged 65. Living with them were James Robinson, a Labourer at the Mills, and his wife Mary. None of the occupants were Essex born.
