Notes

Source 1:
Harriet Robinson, in he autobiography, wrote about her experience working in a textile mill in Lowell Massachusetts. She worked in this factory from 1832 to 1848. When these mills were first introduced it seemed like a great new way to make good money that wasn't farming. People from all over New England and Canada would come to these new mills especially the women in order to escape the lives they were forced into. Once arrived these women were subjected to very bad work conditions including the overseer treating them like property they could disrespect and demean. This was just one of the obstacles they would have to overcome. The average mill girl was between the ages of 16 and 25 so this was mostly young adults. The very young millgirls were called "Doffers". Although they would only work 15 minutes and hour they would have to work long 15 hour shifts as well as only be paid 2 dollars a week. Years later the ten hour law was passed. this was only after countless accounts of these young women appearing before the legislative committee to testify on the subject and get the hours reduced. The mill girls who had homes would work from 8 to 10 months out of the year and then go see their families for the other two. The wage of 2 dollars a week does not seem like a lot and it isn't now but compared to how the other the other jobs of the time paid women. Not only this but at this time they were not allowed to own property or inherit it unless they were single and were not seen as money spenders by society. This made it very hard for women to get anywhere in society since they were only limited to marriage or a few select jobs. In 1836 one of the first strikes ever took place due to wage cuts. The mills were shut down and they left to hear speeches given by earlier labor reforms. After all was said and dine the strike was not successful and they went back to work for less pay.
Source 2: