Biography:
1. Benjamin Parker was employed as a Labourer in the Engineers' Department at 1/6d per day. In August 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).
2. Benjamin was working in the Corning House earning 2/2d per day, and had completed 1 year's service. (Supply 5/224 dated the 30th January 1806).
3. He was still working in the Corning House earning the same, but in addition, Corning House men were allowed to watch in turn, for which they received 1/-d (Supply 5/226 dated the 18th June 1807).
4. According to the entry on Supply 5/227 dated 23rd August 1808, Mr. Parker was still employed as a Corning House Man, but then earned 2/6d per day, and, "in addition to their pay, they are allowed to watch in turn, for which they receive one shilling."
5. Supply 5/228 dated the 1st September 1810, confirmed he was a Corning house man who was paid 2/6d day, and allowed to watch for 1/6d night.
6 At 11.15 a.m. on the 27th November 1811, there was a huge explosion at No.4 Press House. The ensuing fire engulfed the Corning House and the Reel House, which also exploded. There was much damage to the town with many windows shattered, and reports in the press recorded that the explosion was heard as far away as Hackney, Blackwall and Marylebone (Winters, p.72). Among those killed was Benjamin Parker, who left a widow, sons John (12), Benjamin (5) and Jacob (2), and daughters Leanora (7) and Sarah, (6) (Supply 5/229 - Letter dated 3rd December 1811). His widow received a pension of 17/6d per week with effect from the 14th December 1811 until the 17th May 1818, when she remarried.
7. In a letter dated 13th May 1818 (Supply 5/202), it was stated that Ann Parker, widow of Benjamin, had received an offer to marry again, and requested that the pension of 17/6d per week which had been granted to her for the Support of herself and her family, might now be divided amongst her 6 children in such proportions and for such terms as the Board might think proper. It was ordered by the Board, therefore, that the pension of 17/6d per week granted to Mrs. Parker, be divided with effect from the 17th May 1818 as follows:-
John Parker: 17 years old - 2.0d per week - his pension ceased on the 11th March 1819, his 18th birthday.
Laura Parker: 15 years old - 3.0d per week
Sarah Parker: 13 years old - 3.0d per week - Still in receipt of her pension in 1821 (Supply 5/232 dated 17th November 1821).
Benjamin Parker: 10 years old - 3.0d per week - Still in receipt of his pension in 1821
(Supply 5/232 date 17th November 1821)
Job Parker: 8 years old - 3.0d per week - Still in receipt of his pension in 1821
(Supply 5/232 dated 17th November 1821)
Ann Parker: 6 years old - 3.6d per week - Still in receipt of her pension in 1821
(Supply 5/232 dated 17th November 1821)
In addition, it was stated that the allowances to the boys should be paid until they attained the age of 18 years, and to the girls, until they married.
7. A document dated the 8th November1818 (Supply 5/231) listed persons to whom pensions or charitable allowances were granted by the Hon. Board as widows, orphans, or relations of those who had 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 the Parker family, and this document basically confirmed that Ann Parker's charitable allowance would be split as above, with effect from the 17th May 1818.
8. Supply 5/232 dated 17th November 1821, is a letter which mentioned that Ann Parker, widow of Benjamin, had remarried.
9. A document dated 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 Sarah's, Benjamin's and Job Parker's superannuations should continue at £7.16.0d per annum, while Ann's pension continued at £9.2.0d per annum. A similar document, Supply 5/232 dated the 28th December, 1821, confirmed that the same pensions would be paid to the 4 children in 1822.
10 Winters (p.96) recorded an estimation of pensions for 1826 and included the fact that Sarah Parker married in 1825, and that Benjamin Parker was 18 years of age, so that both allowances had ceased. Ann Parker and Job Parker were to be paid £9.2.0d.
11 Ann Parker was still in receipt of a pension in 1837 (Supply 5/237).
