Biography:
1. Benjamin Clarke/Clark (1) started on the 8th October 1794 as a Labourer in the Corning House, earning 1/6d per day. (Supply 5/217 of the 31st December 1794). Note: the spelling of his name varies throughout the documents. According to Supply 5/217 dated 3rd July 1795, he was still a Labourer in the Corning House.
2. Supply 5/219 of September 1798 recorded that Benjamin (1) was a Refiner who had enlisted as a Private in the Voluntary Company on the 8th October 1794.
3. A signed document, Supply 5/220 of the 2nd February 1800 relating to a Petition on Pay indicated that he was illiterate and was still working as a Refining House Labourer .
4. A Report dated the 8th May 1801 (Supply 5/221) confirmed he was working as a Labourer, and that he was a single man. Note: in this document, anyone not an Artificer was described as a Labourer. Robert Coleman recorded in his Minute Book on the 23rd October 1801, that 24 men were required to work at Faversham or be discharged. Benjamin Clark was one who agreed to go according to Winters' (p.60). However, the Faversham Gunpowder Personnel Register dated 1573 - 1840 does not record Clarke's name, so it can only be assumed that his services were terminated, but that he was subsequently re-engaged.
5. According to the entry on Supply 5/227 dated the 23rd August 1808, Mr. Clark was employed as a Saltpetre Refiner earning 2/-d. per day, and "when not working extra, they are allowed to watch in turn."
6. Return of Employees (Supply 5/228 dated the 1st September 1810) confirmed that he was Saltpetre Refiner, that he was paid 2/-d per day, and that he was allowed to watch in turn when not on duty.
7. List of Employees (Supply 5/229 dated the 29th August 1812) recorded that Benjamin was employed as a Warder in August 1812, with pay of 2/8d per day but not allowed to watch in turn. This information is confirmed at the 13th February 1814, according to Supply 5/230.
8. List of Employees dated the 25th June 1818 (Supply 5/231) confirmed that Benjamin was still a Warder; he was a widower, aged 54, with 3 children who lived in Waltham Abbey. At that date he earned 2/4d per day.
9. In a letter dated September 1818 (Supply 5/231) it is stated "We respectfully beg leave to add the names and stations of those persons whom it will be necessary to discharge in consequence of this arrangement", i.e., a reduction in the Establishment due to a downturn in work. The list included Mr. Benjamin Clarke.
