Biography:
1. Thomas Wiltshire worked as a Corning House Man earning 2/2d per day, and had been employed with the Ordnance for 1 year (Supply 5/224 dated the 30th January 1806).
2. According to Supply 5/226 dated the 18th June 1807, Wiltshire was still working in the Corning House earning 2/2d per day. In addition, however, Corning House men were allowed to watch in turn, for which they received 1/-d.
3. Supply 5/227 dated the 23rd August 1808 recorded that Mr. Wiltshire was still employed as a Corning House Man, then earning 2/6d per day, and "in addition to their pay, they are allowed to watch in turn, for which they receive one shilling."
4. Supply 5/228 dated the 1st September 1810 confirmed Thomas was still a Corning house man at 2/6d day, and that he was allowed to watch in turn for 1/6d night.
5. At 11.15 a.m. on the 27th November 1811, there was a huge explosion at No. 4 Press House on Lower Island, and the ensuing fire engulfed the Corning House and the Reel House, which also exploded. There was much damage to the town with many windows shattered, and reports in the press recorded that the explosion was heard as far away as Hackney, Blackwall and Marylebone (Winters, p.72). Thomas Wiltshire, who was by then the Foreman of the Reel House, was the only survivor, but was severely injured, and it was agreed by the Board that his wife, Elizabeth, should continue to receive his pay of 2/10d per day, and that the surgeon, Robert Hilton, should be allowed to receive payment for "extra to effect Wiltshire's recovery" (Supply 5/199). However, Wiltshire died on the 13th December, leaving a widow, Elizabeth, who was pregnant, and 7 children, William (16) and James (13) - who were both in service together - and Mary (11), Thomas (9), John (7), Sarah (5) and Ann (3). The Board agreed to pay the funeral expenses (Supply 5/229 dated 13th December 1811) and Elizabeth was awarded a pension of 19/10d per week with effect from the 14th December 1811 (Winters, p.87)
6. A document dated the 8th November1818 (Supply 5/231) listed persons to whom pensions or charitable allowances granted by the Hon. Board as widows, orphans or relations of those who had lost their lives in this manufactory, or who had been superannuated on account of trusts received, or for length of service in the departments. Among the recipients was Elizabeth Wiltshire, whose husband was the Reeling House Foreman, who received a pension of 19/10d per week commencing the 14th December 1811.
7. Elizabeth was still in receipt of her pension in 1821 (Supply 5/232 dated the 17th November 1821).
8. A document dated 6th December 1821 (Supply 5/232) gave 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 Elizabeth's superannuation should continue at £51.11.4d per annum. A similar document, Supply 5/232 dated the 28th December 1821, confirmed that the same pension would be paid in 1822. This information was also the case in 1826, according to Winters (p.96).
9. Elizabeth was still in receipt of a pension in 1837 (Supply 5/237) quoted in most documents as £51.11.4d per annum, with her surname usually spelt Wiltshaw.
10 The 1825 Rateable Valuation for Waltham Abbey (D/DHfB29) recorded that Widow Wilsher was living in High Bank cottages on the north side of High Bridge Street, being part of Plot No. 48 on the Town Map in Appendix 1.
10 The 1841 Census recorded that at tjat date she was then living in Meeting House Row, Waltham Abbey, with her son, John.
