Biography:
1. James Warby (1) started work as a Labourer in the Storekeepers' Department on the 16th May 1805 (WO54/554 dated 1st Oct 1826). He then worked as a Refiner in the Salt Petre House in September 1805, and was paid 2/-d per day. He was still a Refiner in January 1806 (Supply 5/224 dated 30th January 1806) and remained so throughout 1807, 1808, 1809 and 1810 (Supply 5/228 dated the 1st September 1810). When not working, he was also allowed to watch in turn
2. List of Employees dated the 29th August 1812 (Supply 5/229) confirmed that Mr. Warby was still a Saltpetre Refiner who then earned 2/8d per day, and in addition, when not working extra, was allowed to watch in turn. This was also the case on the 13th February 1814 with the same pay and conditions as before (Supply 5/230).
3. List of Employees dated the 25th June 1818 (Supply 5/231) recorded that a James Warby was employed as a Labourer setting and drawing stoves, and that he was a married man aged 45, with 6 children. He lived in Waltham Abbey and at the time was earning 2/4d per day and allowed to watch in turn, for which he received 1/-d per night.
4. Supply 5/231 dated the 28th August 1818, showed the names of people to be retained between the 3rd September and the 31st December 1818; Warby's name was listed, with his pay remaining unchanged, but he would then not receive watch money.
5. In a letter dated September 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." The list included James Warby, Labourer.
6. However, the List of Employees dated the 19th May 1819 (Supply 5/231) recorded that James Warby was then employed as a Brimstone Refiner, and that he was a married man of 46, with 6 children. He lived in Waltham Abbey, was then paid 2/4d per day, and was allowed to watch in turn, for which he received 1/-d per night. It also recorded that he had trained as a Brickmaker.
7. List of Officers on Employment dated 13th September 1820 (Supply 5/232) recorded that Mr. James Warby was 46 with 6 children, that he still lived in Waltham Abbey and that he still earned 2/4d per day, but then as a Saltpetre Refiner. At that date he was in receipt of 1/6d per night when allowed to watch.
8. List of Employees dated the 9th April 1821 (Supply 5/232) indicated that James was 48 and confirmed he was employed as a Saltpetre Refiner; all other entries remained the same.
9. List of Employees at the Royal Powder Mills (Supply 5/232 dated 23rd January 1822) gave the age of James Warby (1), Saltpetre Refiner, as 48, with just over 16 years' service and pay per day of 2/4d.
10 Return dated 6th February 1822 (Supply 5/232) showed length of service and other full details of those persons employed by the Ordnance at Waltham Abbey as at the 31st December 1821. This would appear to be a more detailed and accurate Return than that of the 23rd January 1822, and recorded that James Warby (1), Saltpetre Refiner, started in the Saltpetre Refinery on the 14th November 1805. It recorded that by Orders of the Board dated the 4th September 1818 and 4th October 1819, he was confirmed 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 just over 16 years' service, was 48 years of age, was married with 6 children and lived in Waltham Abbey, and was originally trained as a Brick Maker. He may have left the Mills around this time, but soon after re-joined as a Labourer in the Engineers' Department. The logic for this is that his previous service was not carried forward.
11 WO54/542 dated the 1st April 1823 listing personnel employed in the Engineers' Department, recorded that Warby was paid 2/2d per day as a Labourer for 313 days, giving him an income of £33.18.2d for the year. According to this Return, he had 1 year's service, starting on the 18th July 1822. He was then aged 52, a married man with 6 children, living in Waltham Abbey
12 WO54/550 dated the 1st April 1825 listing Personnel employed in the Engineers' Department, confirmed that James (2) was still paid 2/2d per day for 313 days as a Labourer. This gave him an annual income of £33.18.2d. His service was given as 3 years in this job; he was aged 54, was married and had 6 children.
13 WO54/550 dated the 1st October 1825, confirmed the previous entry and recorded that he started as a Labourer in the Storekeepers' Department on the 16th November 1805. WO54/554 dated the 1st April 1826 confirmed the details given in October 1825.
14 WO54/554 dated the 1st October 1826 confirmed the information given in the previous Return.
15 WO54/558 dated 1st April 1827, recorded that at that date James (1) had 5 years' service as a Labourer and that was 54 years of age.
16 Supply 5/205 dated the 20th April 1827 stated that Warby was paid 12 days' sick pay from the 12th to the 24th March 1827.
17 WO54/558 dated the 1st October 1827 confirmed the information given previously, except that he had served over 5 years as a Labourer, and was aged just over 54.
18 Return dated the 1st April 1828 (WO54/562) updated the previous information.
19 Return dated the 1st October 1829 (WO54/566) confirmed Warby's age and length of service, with his family and pay details remaining unchanged.
20 According to the Return dated the 1st April 1830 (WO54/570) James (1) was still earning £33.18.2d per annum as a Labourer. By then he had served 8 years as a Labourer and was 57 years of age.
21 Return WO54/570 dated the 1st October 1830, confirmed that James was still working as a Labourer and that his family details and pay remained unchanged. His length of service and age were updated.
22 A Return of persons belonging to the Civil Establishment of the Ordnance at the Gunpowder and Small Arms Manufactories at Waltham Abbey, Faversham and Enfield, showing in detail the several points of information called for by the Master General and Board's Order dated the 31st January 1830, recorded that James Warby was one of the 15 Labourers who were to be employed at the Waltham Abbey Powder Mills and the Enfield Small Arms Factory. He was to be paid 2/2d per day and had to undertake different services as a Labourer in the Manufactories, where steadiness and sobriety were particularly required.
23 WO54/575 dated the 1st April 1831 updated Warby's age and period of service in the October 1830 Return, with all other details remaining unchanged.
24 WO54/575 dated October 1831 confirmed that James (1) still earned 2/2d per day, giving him a total of £33.18.2d per annum. He had then served for over 9 years and was aged 58.
