WAPP - Waltham Abbey Personnel Project

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Biography:

1. Benjamin Ellis was employed as a Labourer in the Refining House on the 1st April 1792 at 1/6d per day. He was still at the Refining House in February 1793 (Supply 5/216 dated the 28th February, 1793), and in August to September 1793 (Supply 5/216). This was also the case in January 1794 (Supply 5/216) and August 1794 (Supply 5/216) and again in December 1794 (Supply 5/217), 2. According to Supply 5/219 dated September 1798, Benjamin enlisted as a Private in the Volunteer Company on the 7th May 1794. 3. A signed document, Supply 5/220 of the 2nd February 1800 relating to a Petition on Pay, recorded that he was literate, and was still working as a Refining House Labourer. 4. Report dated the 8th May 1801 (Supply 5/221) confirmed that he was working as a Labourer, and that he was a married man with 2 children. Note: In this document, anyone not an Artificer was described as a Labourer. 5. Working as a Refiner, his pay was then 2/-d per day, and all Refiners received an additional allowance of 1/-d per night when it was their turn to watch - on average every 5th night. (Supply 5/222 dated the 8th May 1804). 6. Benjamin was a Refiner in the Saltpetre House, still with pay of 2/-d per day (Supply 5/224 dated the 30th January 1806) and at that date, he had just over 15 years' service. Supply 5/226 of the 18th June 1807 confirmed that his basic details remained the same, but his service was updated. 7. According to the entry on Supply 5/227 dated the 23rd August 1808, Mr Ellis was still employed as a Saltpetre Refiner earning 2/-d. per day, and "when not working extra, they are allowed to watch in turn." 8. Supply 5/228 dated the 1st September 1810, confirmed he was Saltpetre Refiner who was paid 2/-d per day, and allowed to watch in turn when not on duty. 9. List of Employees dated the 29th August 1812 (Supply 5/229) recorded that Benjamin was still a Saltpetre Refiner who then earned 2/8d per day, and in addition, when not working extra, he was allowed to watch in turn. 10 According to the entry on Supply 5/230 dated the 13th February 1814, Benjamin Ellis's details all remained the same as stated in Note No. 9. 11 Lists of Officers & Others Employed dated the 25th June 1818 (Supply 5/231 and WO54/524) record that Benjamin was still a Saltpetre Refiner, that he was then aged 53, was married with 2 children and resided in Cheshunt. His pay was then only 2/4d per day and he was allowed to watch in turn, for which he received 1/-d per night. 12 According to the List of Employees dated the 28th August 1818 (Supply 5/231) Ellis was to be retained on reduced pay of 2/-d per day. 13 Return of Employees dated the 19th May 1819 (Supply 5/231) stated that Mr. Ellis was 54, married with 2 children, still living in Cheshunt, and his pay had then been restored to 2/4d per day; in addition, he was allowed to watch in turn, for which he received 1/-d per night. 14 According to the Return dated the 13th September 1819 (Supply 5/231) Mr. Ellis's pay and conditions remained unchanged. 15 Return of Employees and their Pay dated the 9th April 1821 (Supply 5/232) recorded that Mr. Ellis was then living in Waltham Cross, that he was still classified as a Saltpetre Refiner and paid 2/4d per day, and was allowed to watch in turn, for which he was paid 1/6d per night. 16 According to the Return dated the 23rd January 1822 (Supply 5/232) Mr. Ellis was 58, had served nearly 32 years, and his pay was still 2/4d per day. 17 Return dated 6th February 1822 (Supply 5/232) recorded length of service and other full details of those persons employed by the Ordnance at Waltham Abbey as at the 31st December 1821. This appeared to be a more detailed and accurate Return than that of the 23rd January 1822. Benjamin Ellis had been appointed as a Labourer at Waltham Abbey on the 17th November 1791, and by Orders of the Board dated the 4th September 1818 and the 4th October 1819, as a Saltpetre Refiner. He was allowed to watch in turn to guard the works, for which he received an additional 2/-d per night, giving him annual pay of £41.14.4d. According to this Return, at 31st December, 1821, he had 30 years' service, was 58, was married with 2 children and lived in Cheshunt. 18 In the spring of 1822, the Ordnance Board decided to cut back 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) and their list included Benjamin Ellis. The men were subsequently dismissed on the 1st June, and several Petitions were submitted by the men asking for financial assistance. Many were long-service employees in their middle age, who pointed out that they had little hope of finding employment 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. Benjamin Ellis was one of the Petitioners and he was awarded 2 weeks' pay to ease his financial burden.