Biography:
1. William Passfield (also Passwell) was employed as a common Labourer (Supply 5/228 - Pay Book - dated the 21st July 1809). He was paid 17/-d for work carried out by the Engineers' Department in the Manufactory between the 15th and 21st July 1809.
2. In August 1812, a William Passwell was employed as a Labourer "drawing and setting stoves and in the willow plantation" and paid 2/8d per day, in addition to which, he was allowed to watch in turn (Supply 5/229 dated the 29th August 1812). WO54/536 dated 6th February 1822 recorded that William was employed as a Labourer in the Storekeeper's Department on the 29th January1811.
3. Supply 5/230 dated the 13th February 1813, stated that William Passfield was employed as a Labourer "drawing and setting stoves and in the Willow Plantation", and confirmed that he was paid 2/8d per day and allowed to watch in turn.
4. List of employees dated the 19th May 1819 (Supply 5/231) recorded that William Passfield was employed as a Saltpetre Refiner. It also noted that he was a widower, aged 41, who lived in Waltham Abbey and had 6 children. He was paid 2/4d per day and was allowed to watch in turn, for which he received 1/-d per night.
5. Supply 5/232 dated the 13th September 1820, recorded that Mr. Passfield was 42, and confirmed that he still lived in Waltham Abbey and still earned 2/4d per day, and that he was in receipt of 1/6d per night when allowed to watch.
6. List of Employees dated the 9th April 1821 (Supply 5/232) indicated that William was 43 and employed as a Saltpetre Refiner; all other entries remained the same as in Note 5.
7. Supply 5/232 dated the 23rd January 1822 gave Mr. Passfield's age as 42, with 11 years' service and pay per day of 2/4d, as well as confirming he was a Saltpetre Refiner.
8. Return dated the 6th February 1822 (Supply 5/232) recorded the 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 and accurate Return than that of the 23rd January 1822. William Passfield, Saltpetre Refiner, was appointed as a Labourer at Waltham Abbey on the 29th January, 1811, and by Orders of the Board dated the 4th September 1818 and 4th October 1819, 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 the 31st December 1821 he had 11 years' service, was 42 years' old, and was a widower with 6 children.
9. In the spring of 1822 the Ordnance Board decided to reduce the production and regeneration of gunpowder, and the Establishment at Waltham was to be reduced; accordingly. Empson Middleton and James Wright drew up a list of people to be dismissed, which included William Passfield, and the men were subsequently dismissed on the 1st June. (Supply 5/232 dated the the 21st March, 1822). Several Petitions were submitted by the men asking for financial assistance; many were long service employees in their middle age, and they pointed out that they had little hope of finding employment after the hay and corn harvest had been gathered. The Storekeeper at Waltham was sympathetic and forwarded their Petitions to the Board for their consideration. William Passfield was one of the Petitioners, and he was awarded two weeks' pay to ease his financial burden.
