Biography:
1. John Miles was a Labourer in the Corning House. In a letter to the Board (Supply 5/220 dated the 19th April 1801) it was stated that the new Corning House blew up on the 18th April, with a tremendous explosion. Nine men were in the building, including John Miles, and all were killed, along with four horses.
2. In a Report on the ages of children and circumstances of widows and children (Supply 5/220 dated the 29th April 1801) it was stated that John Miles' father was Benjamin Miles, aged 60, who was infirm. John's father had five children, and the John who was killed, allowed Benjamin a weekly sum.
3. A document dated the 8th November 1818 (Supply 5/231) listed persons to whom pensions or charitable allowances had been granted by the Board as widows, orphans or relations of those who lost their lives in the Manufactory, or who had been superannuated on account of trusts received, or for length of service in the departments. Among the recipients was
Benjamin Miles, whose son worked in the Corning House, and he received a pension of 2/-d per week commencing 19th April 1801.
4. Benjamin was still in receipt of his pension in 1821 (Supply 5/232 dated the 17th November, 1821).
5. A document dated the 6th December, 1821 (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 Benjamin's superannuation should continue at £5.4.0d per annum. A similar document, Supply 5/232 dated the 28th December 1821, confirmed that the same pension would be paid in 1822. The same pension was also paid in 1826, according to Winters, p.96.
