Biography:
1. James Bennett was a Labourer by trade, set to work by Daniel Cornish in October 1787, at 9/-d per week, possibly renovating the Mills following their purchase by the Government (Winters, op.cit. p.28).
2. Supply 5/212 dated the 27th January 1789 stated that Bennet was to "be tried as a Millman."
3. A Report of Personnel dated the 29th January 1789 (Supply 5/212) listed Bennett as a Millman in the Corning House having originally been employed by Mr Walton.
4. His pay on the 21st March 1789 was 1/6d per day. This information was taken from the Personnel Return of those working in the Storekeeper's Department (Supply 5/212 dated 21st March 1789) where he was described as " Setting & drawing stoves, etc."
5. On the 12th September 1789, J. Wright and J. Clowdersly wrote to Major Congreve saying, "We beg leave to report that last night at 6 0'clock the 2nd of No. Head Mills blew up; the charge had not been upon the bed more than five Minutes and the Mill did not receive any injury, it was set to work this day at 10 0'clock. The Master Worker has removed James Bennett and Stephen Cock out of the Mills as he found them incapable of doing their business; we therefore desire to know if you would have them discharged." (WASC, 1392). It would appear that Bennett was in fact not discharged, since the Petition dated February 1800 relating to pay and conditions at the Mills, showed that he was one of the few Labourers who was literate (Supply 5/220 dated the 2nd February 1800).
