Biography:
1. A Return on the Marital Status of the Employees dated the 8th May 1801 (Supply 5/221) recorded that Isaac Webb (1), a Labourer, was a married man with 2 children. WO54/558 dated the 1st April 1827 records that he was engaged at the Mills on the 27th March 1800. n.
2. A Return of Artificers & Labourers dated the 3rd November 1801 (Supply 5/221) showed that he was still employed as a Labourer and was cleaning and deepening the river and canals and performing sundry necessary work, he was paid 1/6d per day.
3. Isaac was described as a Refiner with pay of 2/-d per day, and all Refiners received an additional allowance of 1/-d per night when it was their turn to watch - on average every 5th night. (Supply 5/222 dated the 8th May 1804).
4 Supply 5/224 dated the 31st January1806, recorded that Webb had been promoted to Millman by then and earned 2/3d per day. It also stated that at that date he had been employed with the Ordnance for 8 years (this is an error).
5. Supply 5/227 dated the 23rd August 1808 confirmed Mr. Webb was still employed as a Corning House Man. He was earning 2/6d. per day, and "in addition to their pay, they are allowed to watch in turn, for which they receive one shilling."
6. Supply 5/228 dated the 1st September 1810 recorded that Webb was still a Corning house Man, that he was paid 2/6d day and that he was allowed to watch in turn for 1/6d night.
7. List of Employees dated the 29th August 1812 (Supply 5/229) confirmed that Mr. Webb was still a Corning House Man, but that his earnings had increased to 3/3d per day, in addition to which, he was allowed to watch in turn, for which he earned 1/6d. per night.
8. Isaac was still a Corning house man on the 13th February 1814 with the same rate of pay as in Note 8, and allowed to watch in turn, for which he received 1/6d per night (Supply 5/230).
9. List of Employees dated the 25th June 1818 (Supply 5/231) recorded that Issac was a Saltpetre Refiner, that he was a married man aged 60 with 2 children, that he lived in Waltham Abbey and earned 2/4d per day as well as being allowed to watch in turn, for which he was paid 1/-d per night.
10 A Return dated the 28th August 1818 (Supply 5/231) showed the names of people to be retained between the 3rd September and the 31st December 1818. Isaac's name was on the list with his pay unchanged, but he was then not allowed to watch.
11 List of employees dated the 19th May 1819 (Supply 5/231) recorded that Webb was then a Brimstone Refiner, and was a married man of 61 with 2 children; he lived in Waltham Abbey and was paid 2/4d per day as well as being allowed to watch in turn, for which he received 1/-d per night.
12 List of Officers on Employment dated the 13th September 1820 recorded that Isaac Webb was then 62, had 2 children, still lived in Waltham Abbey and still earned 2/4d per day, but he was then described as a Saltpetre Refiner. His allowance for watching had increased to 1/6d per night (Supply 5/232).
13 List of Employees dated the 9th April 1821 (Supply 5/232) indicated that Isaac was 64 and confirmed he was employed as a Saltpetre Refiner.
14 List of Employees at the Royal Powder Mills (Supply 5/232 dated 23rd January 1822) gave the age of Isaac (1), Saltpetre Refiner, as 64, with nearly 25 years' service and pay per day of 2/4d.
15 Return dated 6th February 1822 (Supply 5/232) recorded 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. It stated that Isaac Webb (1), Saltpetre Refiner, was appointed as a Labourer at Waltham Abbey on the 27th March 1800, and by Orders of the Board dated 4th September 1818 and the 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 31st December 1821, he had over 21 years' service, was 64 years old, was married with 2 children and lived in Waltham Abbey.
16 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 (Supply 5/232 dated the 21st March, 1822). Issac Webb was one of the men to be dismissed on the 1st June 1822. However, a further Return dated the 10th October 1822 (Supply 5/233) recorded that he was to be retained, and was required to carry out any type of work needed anywhere within the Manufactory.
17 WO54/542 dated the 1st April 1823, showed that Webb was classed as a "a Labourer for general purposes to be sent to all parts of the Manufactory wherever their services may be requested.", in other words, he was a general Labourer. His income for the year was £39.0.0d, which included an allowance for watching in turn. His family and service details were confirmed.
18 A document dated the 1st April 1823 (WO54/542 - Alteration in Return B) recorded that Isaac Webb (1) had had his pay reduced by £2.12.0d per annum in accordance with the Board's Orders dated the 27th December 1822 and 15th January 1823.
19 According to the Return dated the 1st October 1824 (WO54/546) Isaac (1) earned £39.0.0d per annum, which included an allowance for watching in turn, for which he received
2/-d per week. His period of service was given as over 24 years, he was aged 66, was married and had 2 children.
20 WO54/550 dated the 1st April 1825 recorded that Webb was still a general purpose Labourer, with basic pay of £33.16.0d per annum; he was allowed to watch in turn which gave him, on average, 2/-d per week, increasing his income to £39.0.0d. This Return also confirmed his previous family and service details. WO54/550 dated the 1st October 1825 also confirmed his service and family details.
21 WO54/554 dated the 1st April 1826 confirmed the basic information given in WO54/550 dated the 1st October 1825. WO54/554 dated the 1st October 1826 was a repeat of information given in WO54/554 dated the 1st April 1826.
22 WO54/558 dated the 1st April 1827 recorded, "no alteration since the last report dated the 1st October 1826."
23 WO54/558 dated the 1st October 1827 recorded that on the 24th February 1827, Isaac had been promoted to a Labourer attending and drawing the stoves, which increased his basic income to £39.0.0d per annum. He was still allowed to watch, which gave him a total annual income of £44.4.0d, and at that date Isaac had nearly 28 years' service and was then 68 years of age.
24 Return dated the 1st April 1828 (WO54/562) gave the same information as given previously, except that he had served for 28 years.
25 Return dated the 1st April 1829 (WO54/566) updated his age and length of service, with family details and pay remaing unchanged.
26 WO54/566 dated the 1st October 1829 recorded that at that date Isaac (1) still earned the same as in Note 24. His length of service was given as over 29 years, and he was then 69.
27 Return WO54/570 dated the 1st April 1830 updated his age and length of service, with family and pay details remaining unchanged.
28 WO54/570 dated the 1st October 1830 recorded that Isaac (1) was 70 years of age, and that he had served for just over 30 years. His pay was still the same as in Note 23, and all other information remained the same.
