WAPP - Waltham Abbey Personnel Project

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Biography:

1. Thomas Martin was employed as a Labourer in the Engineers' Department and paid 1/6d per day. Between August and September 1790 he worked within the Manufactory, with his wages submitted by William Spry, Colonel commanding the Royal Engineers, and paid by the Storekeeper, James Wright. He signed for his pay with a cross (WASC 1382). According to Supply 5/215 dated the 16th April 1791, Thomas was then employed in the Corning Houses at 1/6d per day. This was also the case on the 31st Jauary 1792 (Supply 5/215) and on the 31st July 1792 (Supply 5/216). 2. On the 31st August 1793 he was "in the country felling wood" (Supply 5/216) but the following August he was back in the Corning Houses, still at 1/6d per day (Supply 5/216 dated the 31st August 1794). 3. Supply 5/217 dated the 31st December 1794, indicated that he was working in the Dusting House at 1/6d per day. 4. Supply 5/217 dated the 24th June 1795, recorded that Thomas was a Refiner with pay of 1/6d per day. This Return gives his appointment to the Ordnance as the 21st September 1790. He was also confirmed as a Refiner on the 3rd July 1795 by Supply 5/217. 5. Thomas joined the Volunteers as a Private (Supply 5/219 dated September 1798) and this document recorded that he started his employment with the Board on the 21st September 1790. 6. A "signed" document, Supply 5/220 dated the 2nd February 1800, relating to a Petition on Pay, shows that he was illiterate and was still working as a General Labourer. 7. Supply 5/221 dated the 8th May 1801 recorded that Thomas was a married man with two children. 8. Robert Coleman recorded in his Minute Book on the 23rd October 1801, that 24 men were required to work at Faversham or be discharged. Thomas Martin was one who agreed to go. However, the Faversham Gunpowder Personnel Register 1573-1840 does not record his name, and subsequent entries indicate that he was retained as a Labourer and then reinstated as a Refiner at Waltham Abbey. 9. Supply 5/227 dated the 8th May 1804, recorded that Martin was working as a Labourer at 2/-d per day, and in addition, he was allowed to watch in turn, on average every 5 days, for which he was allowed 1/-d. 10 Supply 5/224 dated the 31st January 1806, stated that Thomas Martin was employed as a Saltpetre Refiner and was paid 2/-d per day. At that date he had 16 years' service. 11 An entry in Supply 5/227 dated the 23rd August 1808, confirmed that Mr. Martin was employed as a Saltpetre Refiner earning 2/-d. per day, and "when not working extra, they are allowed to watch in turn." 12 Supply 5/228 dated the 1st September 1810, confirmed Martin was employed as a Saltpetre Refiner who was paid 2/-d day, and allowed to watch in turn. 13 List of Employees dated the 29th August 1812 (Supply 5/229) recorded that Thomas was still a Saltpetre Refiner who then earned 2/8d per day, and in addition, when not working extra, was allowed to watch in turn. The same pay and conditions applied according to Supply 5/230 dated the13th February 1814. 14 A letter dated the 23rd May 1818 reads :- "Mr. Lovell presents his compliments to Mr. Middleton and begs to acquaint him that the bearer, Thomas Martin, is the person who is to receive extra pay for bags during the period he was employed providing articles for the Corn Mill at Waltham Abbey" (Supply 5/202). 15 List of Employees dated the 25th June 1818 (Supply 5/231) states that Thomas Martin was still a Saltpetre Refiner; he was a married man, aged 48, with 8 children living in Waltham Abbey and earning 2/4d per day, as well as being allowed to watch in turn, for which he was paid 1/-d per night. 16 A Return of Employees dated the 28th August 1818 (Supply 5/231) recorded the names of people who were to be retained between the 3rd September and the 31st December, 1818. Thomas Martin's name was included with his pay remaining unchanged, but he was not then allowed to watch. 17 List of employees dated the 19th May 1819 (Supply 5/231) recorded that Thomas Martin was employed as Brimstone Refiner, that he was a married man aged 49 with 8 children. He lived in Waltham Abbey, and was paid 2/4d per day as well as being allowed to watch in turn, for which he received 1/d per night. 18 List of Officers in Employment dated the 13th September 1820 (Supply 5/232) recorded that Thomas Martin, Snr., was then 50, still lived in Waltham Abbey, still earned 2/4d per day, but as a Saltpetre Refiner, and that he was then in receipt of 1/6d per night whilst on watch. 19 List of Employees dated the 9th April 1821 (Supply 5/232) recorded that Thomas then 51 with 8 children, and still employed as a Saltpetre Refiner; all other entries remained the same as in Note 9 20 List of Employees (Supply 5/232 dated the 23rd January 1822) gave the age of Thomas Snr., Saltpetre Refiner, as 53, with 32 years' service and pay per day of 2/4d. 21 Return dated the 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 Return than that of the 23rd January 1822. Thomas Martin Senior, a Saltpetre Refiner, was appointed a Labourer at Waltham Abbey on the 11th January 1793; this would seem to be an incorrect statement and possibly a clerical error, since there are entries for T Martin from 1791 onwards, and at least two other documents recorded his starting date as the 21st September 1790. Orders of the Board dated 4th September 1818 and the 4th October 1819, confirmed that he was on the Establishment 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 total annual pay of £41.14.4d. According to this Return, at 31st December 1821 he had 29 years' service, was 53 years old, was married with eight children and lived in Waltham Abbey. 22 List dated the 21st March 1822 (Supply 5/232) of persons to form an Establishment at Waltham Abbey to regenerate 2000 barrels of gunpowder as well as to make 100 or 200 barrels of gunpowder annually, retained Thomas Martin as a Saltpetre Refiner. 23 WO54/542 dated the 1st April 1823, confirmed that Martin was still a Saltpetre Refiner, that his pay for the year was £39.0.0d, which included an allowance for watching in turn of 2/-d per week. His family and service details remained the same, except that his children are listed as 7, so, possibly, one had died. 24 According to a document dated the 1st April 1823 (WO54/542 - Alteration in Return B) Thomas Martin, Snr. had his pay reduced by £2.12.0d per annum, in accordance with the Board's Orders dated the 27th December 1822 and the 15th January 1823. 25 Return dated the 1st October 1824 (WO54/546) confirmed that Thomas Snr., Saltpetre Refiner, still earned a total of £39 per annum, which included an allowance for watching in turn amounting to 2/-d per week. His period of service was given as nearly 32 years, he was then aged 55, was married and had 7 children. 26 WO54/550 dated the 1st April 1825 related that Thomas started at the Mills on the 4th January 1793 and had 32 years' service, so he was not transferred or discharged. This start date would appear to be a recurring error. 27 Return dated the 1st October 1825 (Winters, pp. 93-95) confirmed previous information given, and recorded that he had been in continuous service with the Board since the 11th January 1793. His pay was £33.16.0d. per annum. 28 WO54/550 dated the 1st April 1825, confirmed he was still a Saltpetre Refiner and gave his basic pay as £33.16.0d per annum. He was allowed to watch in turn which gave him, on average, 2/-d per week, making his total remuneration £39.0.0d per annum. It also confirmed his previous family and service details. All of these details were repeated in WO54/550 dated the 1st October 1825. 29 WO54/554 dated the 1st April 1826 confirmed the basic information given in WO54/550 dated the 1st October 1825. WO54/554 dated the 1st October 1826, confirmed the information given in WO54/554 dated the 1st April 1826. 30 WO54/558 dated the 1st April 1827 recorded "no alteration since the last report dated the 1st October 1826." 31 WO54/558 dated the 1st October 1827, gave the same information as in the previous notes. At that date Thomas had nearly 35 years' service and he was then 57 years of age. 32 Return dated the 1st April 1828 (WO54/562) recordedthe same information as in previous , except that he had now served just over 35 years. 33 Return dated the1st October 1828 (WO54/562) updated his age and length of service, with family details and pay remaining unchanged. 34 Return dated the 1st April 1829 (WO54/566) updated his age and length of service, with family details and pay remaining unaltered. 35 Return showing employees at the 1st October 1829 (WO54/566) recorded that Thomas Martin, Snr. earned in total £39.0.0d per annum, that his service was nearly 37 years, that he was 58 years of age, was married and had 7 children. 36 According to Return WO54/570 dated the 1st April 1830, all details remained the same for Thomas, Snr. as in Note 25, except that his service was given as nearly 38 years, and he was then aged 59. 37 Return WO54/570 dated the 1st October 1830, gave the same information as that provided at the 1st April 1830. 38 According to the Return WO54/575 dated the 1st April 1831, Thomas, Senior, was now 60 years of age and had served just over 38 years. He replaced Isaac Webb, deceased, as a Stoveman on the 24th December, 1830, with a basic wage of £39 per annum, and was allowed to watch in turn at an average of 2/-d per week, giving him a total of £44.4.0d annually. WO54/545 dated the 1st October 1831, updated his age and period of service in the April 1831 Return, with all other details remaining the same. 39 WO54/581 dated the 1st April 1832 updated his age and period of service in the October 1831 Return, with all other details remaining unchanged. 40 WO54/581 dated the 1st October 1832 updated his age and period of service in the April 1832 Return, with all other details remaining the same. 41 WO54/587 dated the 1st April 1833 confirmed that at that date Thomas Snr. was still earning the same £44.4.0d annually. His period of service was given as just over 40 years, and his age as 62. 42 WO54/587 dated the 1st October 1833 confirmed that LL details were the same as in the previous Return, except that Thomas Snr. had then served nearly 41 years, and he was 63 years of age. 43 WO54/593 dated the 1st April 1834, recorded that although Thomas was still employed as a Labourer attending the stoves, etc., his basic pay had been cut to £32.12.6d per annum. However, he was still allowed to watch in turn, which increased his annual pay to £37.16.6d. His age and service details were updated. 44 WO54/593 dated the 1st October 1834, confirmed the basic information given in Note 37. However, Thomas was then 64 years of age, and had served just over 41 years.