Biography:
1. Henry Lagden was a Brimstone Refiner who earned 3/-d per day, and in addition, was allowed to watch in turn, for which he earned 1/6d per night (Supply 5/229 dated the 29th August 1812). This was also the case on the 13th February 1814, according to Supply 5/230 of that date.
2. Lists of Officers & Others Employed dated the 25th June 1818 (Supply 5/231 and WO54/524) confirmed that Henry was still a Brimstone Refiner, aged 31, married with 3 children, living in Waltham Abbey, earning 2/8d per day and allowed to watch in turn, for which he was paid 1/-d per night.
3. A Return 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. Lagdon's name was included, with his pay reduced to 2/-d per day, and he was then not allowed to watch.
4. List of Employees dated the 19th May 1819 (Supply 5/231) confirmed that Lagdon was still employed as a Brimstone Refiner; he was aged 32, had 3 children, lived in Enfield, was paid 2/4d per day, and was allowed to watch in turn, for which he received 1/-d per night.
5. Return dated the 13th September 1820 (Supply 5/232) updated the entry above, and the basic details on pay, etc. remained unchanged, except he was now allowed 1/6d per night to watch.
6. List of Employees dated the 9th April 1821 (Supply 5/232) recorded that Henry was then 34; all other entries remained the same as in Note 5.
7. Supply 5/232 dated 23rd January 1822 gave the age of Henry Lagdon, Brimstone Refiner, as 36, with nearly 17 years' service and pay per day of 2/4d.
8. Return showing the pay, allowances, and length of service, and every drescription of those employed by the Ordnance at Waltham Abbey as at the 31st December 1821 (Supply 5/232 dated the 6th February 1822) appeared to be a more detailed, and probably more accurate Return than that dated the 23rd January 1822. Henry Lagdon, Brimstone Refiner, was appointed as a Labourer with the Ordnance Board at Waltham Abbey on the 7th October 1805. His position on the Establishment as a Brimstone Refiner was confirmed by orders of the Board dated the 4th September 1818 and 4th October 1819, and he was allowed to watch in turn to guard the works, for which he received an additional 2/-d per night, giving him total pay for the year of £41.14.4d. He had just over 16 years' service, was aged 36, was a married man living in Enfield, and he had three children.
9. In the spring of 1822, the Ordnance Board decided to lower the production and regeneration of gunpowder, and the Establishment at Waltham was to be reduced accordingly. Empson Middleton and James Wright drew up a list of people to be dismissed (Supply 5/232 dated the 21st March, 1822). The men were subquently dismissed on the 1st June, and several Petitions were submitted by them asking for financial assistance. Many were long service employees in their middle age, and they pointed out that they had little hope of finding employement after the hay and corn harvest had been gathered. The Storekeeper at Waltham was sympathetic, and forwarded their Petitions to the Board for their consideration. Henry Lagdon, signing with a cross, was one of the Petitioners, and he was awarded two weeks' pay to ease his financial burden.
