Biography:
1. John Smith (3) started work as a Labourer in the Corning House earning 1/6d per day on the 2nd June 1794 (Supply 5/217 dated the 24th June 1795). He was still in the Corning House in July and December 1794 at the same rate of pay (Supply 5/216 and Supply 5/217). This man may well have been the John Smith who ceased work cica 1789, but returned to the Mills on the 2nd June 1794 as a General Labourer, and was described at one stage as John Smith, Senior.
2. In June and July 1795 he was "setting and drawing stoves" (Supply 5/217).
3. A Return of the Volunteer Company dated Setember 1798 recorded that he was a Private, and that he had started work in the Corning Mills on the 2nd June 1794. This Return stated that he was a Millman
4. A signed document, Supply 5/220 of the 2nd February 1800 relating to a Petition on Pay, showed that he was illiterate, and was still working as a General Labourer.
5. Mr. Smith was burnt when the Corning House caught fire on 16th June 1801. In a list dated 23rd June 1801 it was stated that "we beg to represent the situation of the poor men who were burnt when the Corning House took fire 16th instant while under repair." (Supply 5/195) This document went on further to say "These men are burnt in a dreadful manner, their pain is very great." and, "Our Surgeon has represented the necessity of the men most burnt having immediate assistance in wine, as a considerable Suppuration is come on their constitutions. They cannot Support it without wine, and we have directed wine to be immediately provided to them, and request your permission for our continuing to Supply these poor men with such wine or other proper Support as their surgeon may think their respective situations require."
6. Winters, in his book "Centenary Memorial" (p.59) stated that the men were employed in repairing the Corning House which blew up on the 18th April, 1801, and made it clear that the fire was caused "from the blow of a copper hammer on pit wheel."
7. In a letter to the Board dated the 29th July 1801 (Supply 5/221) it was stated that the men who were burnt at the Corning House on the 16th June, had requested that they were reimbursed for their loss of clothing. The list included John Smith, whose claim amounted to £2.13.0d in all - for a hat (9/6d) handkerchiefs (5/0d) stockings (3/6d) shirt (7/-d) and sheets (£1.10.0d). The same letter goes on to say that John Smith, amongst others, suffered so much that he wished for death to release him from his torture, and that it was a matter of surprise that he was recovering. The constant attention the men needed meant that their wives could not undertake seasonal work (haymaking) at which they could earn sufficient to pay the rent. It was requested that financial allowances be made.
8. A Return of Artificers and Labourers dated the 3rd November 1801 (Supply 5/221) stated that John Smith (3) and others had been so severely burnt in the Old Corning house, that it would be dangerous to expose him with the other men in repairing the river banks at that time, but that instead, he may perform trifling jobs as they occurred. This appears to be the last entry for John Smith (3).
