Biography:
1. Henry Wakeland was employed as a Millman in 1805 with pay of 2/3d per day (Supply 5/224 dated the 31st January 1806) and at the date of that Return, had been employed with the Ordnance for 6 months.
2. Henry was still employed as a Millman at 2/3d per day, and allowed 3d per night when on duty (Supply 5/226 dated the 18th June 1807).
3. According to the List of Officers, Foremen, Artificers, etc. Employed dated the 23rd August 1808 (Supply 5/227) Wakeland was employed as a Labourer "setting and drawing stoves, and in Willow Plantations, etc." earning 2/-d per day, as well as being allowed to watch in turn.
4. At 11.15 a.m. on the 27th November 1811, there was a huge explosion at No. 4 Press House, and the ensuing fire engulfed the Corning House and the Reel House, which also exploded. There was much damage to the town with many windows shattered, and reports in the press recorded that the explosion was heard as far away as Hackney, Blackwall and Marylebone (Winters, p.72). Among those killed was Henry, who left a widow, Ann, in advanced pregnancy, and a daughter, Harriet, aged 18 months (Supply 5/229 dated the 3rd December, 1811). Ann received a pension of 17/6d per week with effect from the 17th May 1818 (Winters, p.87), but the date given by him appears to be incorrect.
5. A document dated the 8th November 1818, (Supply 5/231) listed persons to whom pensions or charitable allowances granted by the Hon. Board as widows, orphans or relations of those who had lost their lives in the Manufactory, or who have been superannuated on account of trusts received, or for length of service in the departments were paid. Included was
Ann Wakeland, whose husband worked in the Corning House, and she received a weekly pension of 17/6d which commenced on the 28th November 1811.
6. Anne was still in receipt of her pension in 1821 (Supply 5/232 dated 17th November 1821).
7. A document dated 6th December 1821 (also Supply 5/232) gave the estimated pay of persons between the 1st January and 31st December 1822 along with their superannuated allowance, as well as "the allowance to widows and orphans of those who have lost their lives at this place". It was confirmed that Ann's superannuation should continue at £45.10.0d per annum. A similar document, Supply 5/232 dated the 28th December 1821, recorded that the same pension would be paid in 1822. This was confirmed in 1826 (Winters, p.96).
