Biography:
1. George Harris was engaged by the Board as a casual Labourer in the Engineers' Department on the 25 June 1815. He earned 2/8d per day, and was a 38-year-old married man living in Cheshunt with four children (WO54/516 dated February 1816)
2. WO54/520 dated 20th February 1817, recorded that his pay had decreased to 2/4d per day, and that he then lived in Waltham Abbey.
3. WO54/524 dated 11th April 1818, confirmed that he was still employed as a Labourer "Occasionally as required". His pay was still 2/4d per day. These details were the same in 1819 (WO54/528 dated the 19th May 1819) except that by then he had five children.
4. List of employees dated the 13th September 1820 ( WO54/532) confirmed that George was still employed as a Labourer. At that date he was aged 42, still lived in Waltham Abbey, and his family details remained the same as before. He still earned 2/4d per day, and worked, "Occasionally as required." WO54/536 dated the 2nd April 1821 recorded that he was then aged 43, with his family details and terms of employment, etc. remaining unchanged.
5. WO54/536 dated 31st December 1821 was a repeat of the Return dated the 2nd April 1821.
6. WO54/542 dated the 1st April 1823, recorded that he was then paid only 2/2d per day for 313 days, giving him an income of £33.18.2d for the year. He had just over 8 years' service starting on the 25th June 1815. It confirmed he was aged 43, and a married man with five children, living in Waltham Abbey.
7. WO54/550 dated the 1st April 1825 confirmed that George was still paid 2/2d per day for 313 days as a Labourer. His service was given as just over 10 years, and at that date he was aged 45.
8. WO54/550 dated the 1st October 1825 confirmed the previous entry, and WO54/554 dated the 1st April 1826, recorded the same details as given in the October 1825 Return.
9. WO54/554 dated the 1st October 1826, indicated the same details as given in Note 8.
10 WO54/558 dated 1st April 1827, gave the same information as previously. However, at that date, Mr. Harris had just over 12 years' service and he was 47 years of age.
11 WO54/558 dated the 1st October 1827, recorded the same information as in Note 10, with the exception that George then had nearly 13 years' service.
12 Return dated the 1st April 1828 (WO54/562) updated the same basic information given in the previous notes.
13 Return dated the1st October 1828 (WO54/562) updated his age and length of service, with family details and pay remaining unchanged.
14 WO54/566 dated 1st April 1829 stated that at that date George still earned the same as in Note 7. His length of service was given as just over 14 years, and he was aged 49.
15 Return dated the 1st October, 1829 (no reference given) updated his age and length of service, again with family and pay details remaining unaltered.
16 According to the Return dated the 1st April 1830 (WO54/570) George was still earning £33.18.2d per annum as a Labourer. By then he had served just over 15 years and he was aged 50.
17 Return WO54/570 dated the 1st October 1830, confirmed that George was still working as a Labourer with his family details and pay unchanged, but with his length of service and age updated.
18 A Return of Persons Belonging to the Civil Establishment of the Ordnance at the Gunpowder and Small Arms Manufactories at Waltham Abbey, Faversham and Enfield, showing in detail the several points of information called for by the Master General and Board's Order dated the 31st January 1831, recorded that George Harris was one of the 15 Labourers to be employed at Waltham Abbey Powder Mills and the Enfield Small Arms Factory. It confirmed he was paid 2/2d per day and employed to undertake different services as a Labourer in the manufactories, where steadiness and sobriety were particuliary required (WO54/575).
19 WO54/575 dated the 1st April 1831 updated his age and period of service in the October 1830 Return, with all other details remaining unchanged.
20 WO54/575 dated October 1831 confirmed that George still earned 2/2d per day as previously indicated, giving him a total of £33.18.2d per annum. He had then served nearly 17 years and was aged just over 50.
21 WO54/581 dated the 1st April 1832 updated his age and period of service in the October 1831 Return, again with all other details remaining unchanged.
22 WO54/581 dated the 1st October 1832, confirmed that George still earned £33.18.2d per annum. His service was given as nearly 18 years, and at that date he was just over 52.
23 WO54/587 dated the 1st April 1833 recorded the same information as in Note 22, except that George was now 53 years' old, and had served for 18 years.
24 WO54/587 dated the 1st October 1833, confirmed that George's basic details remained unchanged, but updated his age and length of service.
25 WO54/593 dated 1st April 1834 confirmed that George still earned £33.18.2d per annum, that he had served just over 19 years and that his age was 54.
