Biography:
1. William Wallace was working in the Mixing House in September 1798, and was a Private in the Volunteer Company. He was appointed on 13th October 1795, but it would appear that he left, because his name had been struck through on the Volunteers' List (Supply 5/219 dated September 1798).
2. Supply 5/228 dated the 1st September 1810, recorded that a William Wallace was a Millman who was paid 2/3d day and allowed 6d per night when on duty.
3. List of Employees dated the 29th August 1812 (Supply 5/229) confirmed that Mr. Wallace was still a Millman, but recorded that he then earned 3/-d per day, in addition to which, he was allowed 6d per night when on duty.
4. Wallace was employed as a Corning House Man on the 13th February 1814 at 3/3d per day, and allowed to watch in turn, for which he received 1/6d per night (Supply 5/230).
5. Lists of Officers and Others Employed dated the 25th June 1818 (Supply 5/231 and WO54/524) confirmed that William was still working in the Corning House, that he was 42, was a resident of Waltham Abbey, and that he was married with 2 children. He earned 2/11d per day and was allowed to watch in turn, for which he was paid 1/-d per night.
6. In a letter dated August 1818 (Supply 5/231) it was stated, "We respectfully beg leave to add the names and stations of those persons whom it will be necessary to discharge in consequence of this arrangement." Included was a William 'Wallis', Corning House Man, but this is thought to be a clerical error because there wasn't a 'Wallis' on the books at that date.
7. A List of Employees dated the 19th May 1819 (Supply 5/231) recorded that Wallace was still employed in the Corning House, that he was a married man aged 43 with 2 children, that he lived in Waltham Abbey, was paid 2/11d per day and was allowed to watch in turn, for which he received 1/-d per night.
8. List of Employees dated the 13th September 1820 (Supply 5/232) updated the previous entry. His basic details on pay, etc. remained unchanged except that he was then allowed 1/6d per night to watch. This document records that he had 3 children
9. List of Employees dated the 9th April 1821 (Supply 5/232) indicated that Mr. Wallace was 44 and that he was married with 3 children.
10 List of Employees at the Royal Powder Mills (Supply 5/232 dated 23rd January 1822) gave the age of Mr. Wallace, Corning House Man, as 45, with pay per day of 2/11d.
11 Return showing the pay, allowances and length of service and every drescription of the persons in the employment of the Ordnance at Waltham Abbey as at the 31st December 1821 (Supply 5/232 dated the 6th February 1822) would appear to be a more detailed, and probably more accurate, Return than that dated the 23rd January 1822. It recorded that William Wallace, Corning House Man, was appointed on the 26th April 1810 as a Millman at Waltham Abbey, and 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 income for the year of £50.16.11d. He had just over 11 years' service, was aged 45, was a married man with 5 children, and lived in Waltham Abbey.
12 In the spring of 1822 the Ordnance Board decided to reduce the production and regeneration of gunpowder, with the Establishment at Waltham to be reduced. Accordingly, Empson Middleton and James Wright drew up a list of people to be dismissed (Supply 5/232 dated the 21st March 1822) and the men were subquently dismissed on the 1st June. 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 consideration. William Wallace was one of four men who signed (with a cross) a second Petition on the 12th July, saying that he had been away unsuccessfully looking for work, and he was awarded two weeks' pay to ease his financial burden.
