Biography:
1. John Newland was working in the Corning House earning 2/2d per day, and by the 30th January 1806, had been employed with the Ordnance for three months (Supply 5/224).
2. Supply 5/226 dated the 18th June 1807, confirmed that Mr. Newland was still working in the Corning House earning the same. However, in addition, Corning House Men were allowed to watch in turn, for which they received 1/-d.
3. According to the entry on Supply 5/227 dated the 23rd August 1808, Mr. Newland was still employed as a Corning House Man earning 2/6d per day, and "in addition to their pay, they are allowed to watch in turn, for which they receive one shilling."
4. Supply 5/228 dated the 1st September 1810, confirmed that John was still a Corning house man who was paid 2/6d day, and allowed to watch in turn for 1/6d night.
5. List of Employees dated the 29th August 1812 (Supply 5/229) recorded Mr. Newland was a Reeling House Foreman, then earning 3/10d per day, in addition to which, he was allowed to watch in turn, earning 1/6d per night for that duty.
6. Supply 5/230 dated the 13th February 1814, confirmed that Mr. Newland was still a Reeling House Foreman earning 3/10d per day, and that he earned the same 1/6d per night for watching in turn.
7. Supply 5/231 and WO54//524 dated June 1818, both indicated that John was working in the Corning House, that he was 36, resided in Waltham Abbey and that he was married with 5 children. He then earned 2/11d per day, and was allowed to watch in turn, for which he was paid 1/-d per night.
8. Supply 5/231 dated the 3rd September 1818, indicated the names of people to be retained between the 3rd September and the 31st December 1818. John Newland's name was included, with his pay unchanged, but he was not allowed to watch.
9. List of employees dated the 19th May 1819 (Supply 5/231) confirmed that Newland was still employed in the Corning House, that he was a married man aged 37, and that he then had 6 children. He was paid 2/11d per day, and was allowed to watch in turn, for which he received 1/-d per night.
10 List of employees dated the13th September 1820 (Supply 5/232) updated the previous entry, with the basic details on pay, etc. remaining unchanged, except he was then allowed 1/6d per night to watch.
11 Supply 5/232 dated 9th April 1821, indicated that John was then 38; all other entries remained the same as in Note 10.
12. List of Employees (Supply 5/232 dated the 23rd January 1822) gave the age of John Newland, Corning House Man, as 39, with just over 16 years' service, and pay per day of 2/11d.
13 Return showing the pay, allowances and length of service and every description of the persons in the employment of the Ordnance at Waltham Abbey as at the 31st December 1821 (Supply 5/232 dated 6th February 1822) appeared to be a more detailed - and probably more accurate - Return than that dated the 23rd January 1822.
John Newland, Corning House Man, was appointed on the 12th September 1805. His position on the Establishment as a Corning House Man was confirmed by an order of the Board dated the 4th September 1818. He was allowed to watch in turn to guard the works, for which he received an additional 2/-d per night, which gave him a total pay for the year of £50.6.11d. He had just over 16 years' service, was aged 39, was a married man, then with 7 children, who lived in Waltham Abbey.
14 In the spring of 1822 the Ordnance Board decided to reduce the production and regeneration of gunpowder and, therefore, the Establishment at Waltham, accordingly. Empson Middleton and James Wright drew up a list of people to be dismissed (Supply 5/232 dated the 21st March 1822), and John Newland was one of the men to be dismissed on the 1st June 1822. However a Return dated the 10th October 1822 (Supply 5/233) recorded that he had been retained, and that he was required to carry out any type of work required within the Manufactory.
15 WO54/542 dated the the 1st April 1823, showed that Newland was classed as a "a Labourer for general purposes to be sent to all parts of the Manufactory wherever their services may be requested.", and that his pay for the year was £39.0.0d, which included an allowance for watching in turn. He then had 8 children, and his service details were confirmed.
16 According to a document dated the 1st the April, 1823 (WO54/542 - Alteration in Return B), John Newland 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.
17 WO54/546 dated the 1st October 1823 recorded that he had been reinstated as a Corning House Man and that his annual pay was £48.2.0d, which included an allowance for watching the works in turn, for which, on average, he received 2/-d per week. This document also stated that when he started work at the Mills on the 12th September 1805, he had been employed as a Puntman. In 1823 he had 19 years' service, and was a 42-year-old married man with 8 children
18 Return showing pay and allowances, etc., 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 12th November 1805. His pay was £42.8.0d per annum (The start-date given by Winters is incorrect, and the pay given was the basic amount).
19 WO54/550 dated the the 1st April 1825, confirmed that Newland was still a Corning House Man, and gave his basic pay as £42.8.0d per annum. In addition, he was allowed to watch in turn which gave him, on average, 2/-d per week, in total, an annual remuneration of £48.0.0d. His previous family and service details were confirmed, except that he was then shown as having 9 children. All of this information is repeated in WO54/550 dated the 1st October 1825.
20 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.
21 WO54/558 dated the 1st April 1827 recorded, "no alteration since the last report dated the 1st October 1826."
22 WO54/558 dated the 1st October 1827, gave the same information as in the notes above, except that at that date, John had 22 years' service and was then aged 40.
23 Return dated the 1st April 1828 (WO54/562) gave the same information as that given in the previous notes, with the exception that he had served just over 22 years.
24 Return dated the1st October 1828 (WO54/562) updated his age and length of service, with family details and pay remaining unchanged.
25. Return dated the the 1st April 1829 (WO54/566) updated his age and length of service, with family details and pay remaining unchanged.
26 WO54/566 dated the 1st October 1829 stated that at that time, John still earned the same as recorded in Note 19. His length of service was given as 24 years, and he was then aged 45.
27 Return WO54/ 570 dated the 1st April 1830, updated his age and length of service, family and pay details remaining unchanged.
28 WO54/570 dated the 1st October 1830 stated that John was 46, and had served 25 years. His pay was still the same as in Note 19, and all other details remained the same.
29 According to the Return WO54/575 dated the 1st April 1831, John was 47 and had served over 25 years. He was still earning a total of £48.2.0d. This Return recorded that he then had 9 children.
30 WO54/545 dated the 1st October 1831, updated his age and period of service in the April 1831 Return, with all other details remaining unchanged.
31 WO54/581 dated the 1st April 1832, updated his age and period of service in the October 1831 Return.
32 WO54/581 dated the 1st October 1832 updated his age and period of service in the April 1832 Return, and all other details remained unaltered.
33 WO54/587 dated the 1st April 1833 confirmed that Newland still earned a total of £48.2.0d per annum. His service was given as just over 27 years, and his age as 49.
34 WO54/587 dated the 1st October 1833, recorded that Mr. Newland was then 50 and had served 28 years. He was still in receipt of an annual wage of £48.2.0d, and his family details remained the same.
35 WO54/593 dated the 1st April 1834 recorded that although John was still employed as a Corning House Man, his basic pay had been cut to £35.17.9d per annum, but he was still allowed to watch in turn, which increased his annual pay to £41.1.9d. However, this record stated he only had 8 children and his age and service details were updated.
36. Return of Employees dated the 1st October 1839 (WO54/623), confirmed that he was still employed as a Corning House Man with a salary of £48.2.0d, which included an allowance to watch in turn. He is listed as having 8 children.
37 The 1841 Census recorded that John (aged 55) and his wife Mary (50) lived in Sewardstone Street with their children Charles, a butcher, aged 20, and Thomas, a Cordwainer, aged 15. All were born in Essex.
38 On the 13th April l 843, some 40 barrels of gunpowder exploded in the Corning House together with another 20 in the Press House; 7 men were killed and much damage was caused in the town. Among those killed was John Newland (Winters, op.cit.p.106).
39 A graphic description of the explosion and damage caused, etc., was given in the London Illustrated News dated Saturday, the 22nd April 1843 (WAAC). John left a widow and 8 children, most of whom were adults.
