Biography:
1. William West, who was single and the son of Thomas West, a Day Labourer, worked in the New Corning House earning 1/6d per day. A letter to the Board stated that the new Corning House blew up on the 18th April 1801, with a tremendous explosion. Nine men were in the building, including William, and all, together with four horses, were killed (Supply 5/220 dated the 19th April 1801).
2. Supply 5/220 dated the 19th April 1801 was also a Report on the ages of children and circumstances of widows and children, and stated that Mary West was William's mother and that she was aged 46. Her husband was a Day Labourer. She had 4 children and received part of her subsistence for the labours of her son. She was awarded a pension of 2/-d per week.
3. There was considerable confusion over William's mother's name, but it was clarified in a letter to the Board (Supply 5/221 dated the 5th January 1802) which stated that she had been married to one West several years ago, but was then known as Mary Edwards and had been incorrectly reported by the Mills as West. She lived at Cheshunt.
4. A document dated the 8th November 1818 (Supply 5/231) listed persons to whom pensions or charitable allowances granted by the Honourable Board as widows, orphans or relations of those who have lost their lives in this Manufactory, or who have been superannuated on accounts of trusts received, or for length of service in the departments. Among the recipients was Mary Edwards (West) who received a charitable allowance of 2/-d per week commencing the 19th May 1801.
5. A document dated 6th December 1821 (Supply 5/232) recorded the estimated pay of persons between the 1st January and 31st December 1822, along with their superannuated allowance as well as "the allowance to widows and orphans of those who have lost their lives at this place." It was confirmed that Mary's superannuation should continue at £5.4.0d per annum. A similar document, Supply 5/232 dated the 28th December 1821, confirmed that the same pension would be paid in 1822, as well as in 1826 according to Winters (p.96).
6. Mary was still paid a pension of 2/-d weekly in 1837 (Supply 5/237), and this document confirmed that her pension had commenced on the 19th May 1801.
