Thursday, May 21, 2009

Waltham System and Lowell: Labor Conditions

Massachusetts Investigation into Labor Conditions

Excerpted from Massachusetts House Document, no. 50, March of 1845.

The Special Committee to which was referred sundry petitions relating to the hours of labor, have considered the same and submit the following Report:

... On the 13th of February, the Committee held a session to hear the petitioners from the city of Lowell. Six of the female and three of the male petitioners were present, and gave in their testimony.

... Miss Sarah G. Bagely said she had worked in the Lowell Mills eight years and a half, six years and a half on the Hamilton Corporation, and two years on the Middlesex. She is a weaver, and works by the piece. She worked in the mills three years befo re her health began to fail. She is a native of New Hampshire, and went home six weeks during the summer. Last year she was out of the mill a third of the time. She thinks the health of the operatives is not so good as the health of females who do house-w ork or millinery business. The chief evil, so far as health is concerned, is the shortness of time allowed for meals. The next evil is the length of time employed -not giving them time to cultivate their minds. She spoke of the high moral and intellectual character of the girls. That many were engaged as teachers in the Sunday schools. That many attended the lectures of the Lowell Institute; and she thought, if more time was allowed, that more lectures would be given and more girls attend. She thought tha t the girls generally were favorable to the ten hour system. She had presented a petition, same as the one before the Committee, to 132 girls, most of whom said that they would prefer to work but ten hours. In a pecuniary point of view, it would be better , as their health would be improved. They would have more time for sewing. Their intellectual, moral and religious habits would also be benefited by the change. Miss Bagely said, in addition to her labor in the mills, she had kept evening school during th e winter months, for four years, and thought that this extra labor must have injured her health.

... From Mr. Clark, the agent of the Merrimack Corporation, we obtained the following table of the time which the mills run during the year.

Begin work.
From 1st May to 31st August, at 5o clock.
From 1st September to 30th April, as soon as they can see.
Breakfast.
From 1st November to 28th February, before going to work.
From 1st March to 31st of March, at 7 ¼ o'clock.
From 1st April to 19th September, at seven o'clock.
From 20th September to 31st October, at 71/2 o'clock. Return in h alf an hour.
Dinner.
Through the year at 12 ½ o'clock.
From 1st May to 31st August, return in 45 minutes.
From October, at 7 ½ o'clock.
Return in half an hour.
Dinner.
Through the year at l2 ½ o'clock.
From 1st May to 31st August, return in 45 minutes.
From 1st September to 30th April, return in 30 minutes.
Quit work.
From 1st May to 31st August, at 7 o'clock.
From 1st September to 19th September, at dark.
From 20th September to 19th March, at 7 ½ o'clock.
From 20th March to 30th April, at dark.

Lamps are never lighted on Saturday evenings. The above is the time which is kept in all the mills in Lowell, with a slight difference in the machine shop; and it makes the average daily time throughout the year, of running the mills, to be twelve hour s and ten minutes.

There are four days in the year which are observed as holidays, and on which the mills are never put in motion. These are Fast Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. These make one day more than is usually devoted to pastime in any o ther place in New England. The following table shows the average hours of work per day, throughout the year, in the Lowell Mills:

Hours Minutes Hours Minutes
January 11 24 July 12 45
February 12 August 12 45
March 11 52 September 12 23
April 13 31 October 12 10
May 12 45 November 11 56
June 12 45 December 11 24

Waltham System and Lowell: Boarding House Rules

Boarding House Rules from the Handbook to Lowell, 1848

REGULATIONS FOR THE BOARDING-HOUSES of the Hamilton Manufacturing Company. The tenants of the boarding-houses are not to board, or permit any part of their houses to be occupied by any person, except those in the employ of the company, without special per mission.

They will be considered answerable for any improper conduct in their houses, and are not to permit their boarders to have company at unseasonable hours.

The doors must be closed at ten o'clock in the evening, and no person admitted after that time, without some reasonable excuse.

The keepers of the boarding-houses must give an account of the number, names and employment of their boarders, when required, and report the names of such as are guilty of any improper conduct, or are not in the as are guilty of any improper conduct, or are not in the regular habit of attending public worship.

The buildings, and yards about them, must be kept clean and in good order; and if they are injured, other-wise than from ordinary use, all necessary repairs will be made, and charged to the occupant.

The sidewalks, also, in front of the houses, must be kept clean, and free from snow, which must be removed from them immediately after it has ceased falling; if neglected, it will be removed by the company at the expense of the tenant.

It is desirable that the families of those who live in the houses, as well as the boarders, who have not had the kine pox, should be vaccinated, which will be done at the expense of the company, for such as wish it.

Some suitable chamber in the house must be reserved, and appropriated for the use of the sick, so that others may not be under the necessity of sleeping in the same room.

JOHN AVERY, Agent.

Waltham System and Lowell: Factory Rules

Factory Rules from the Handbook to Lowell, 1848

REGULATIONS TO BE OBSERVED by all persons employed in the factories of the Hamilton Manufacturing Company. The overseers are to be always in their rooms at the starting of the mill, and not absent unnecessarily during working hours. They are to see that a ll those employed in their rooms, are in their places in due season, and keep a correct account of their time and work. They may grant leave of absence to those employed under them, when they have spare hands to supply their places, and not otherwise, exc ept in cases of absolute necessity.

All persons in the employ of the Hamilton Manufacturing Company, are to observe the regulations of the room where they are employed. They are not to be absent from their work without the consent of the over-seer, except in cases of sickness, and then t hey are to send him word of the cause of their absence. They are to board in one of the houses of the company and give information at the counting room, where they board, when they begin, or, whenever they change their boarding place; and are to observe t he regulations of their boarding-house.

Those intending to leave the employment of the company, are to give at least two weeks' notice thereof to their overseer.

All persons entering into the employment of the company, are considered as engaged for twelve months, and those who leave sooner, or do not comply with all these regulations, will not be entitled to a regular discharge.

The company will not employ any one who is habitually absent from public worship on the Sabbath, or known to be guilty of immorality.

A physician will attend once in every month at the counting-room, to vaccinate all who may need it, free of expense.

Any one who shall take from the mills or the yard, any yarn, cloth or other article belonging to the company, will be considered guilty of stealing and be liable to prosecution.

Payment will be made monthly, including board and wages. The accounts will be made up to the last Saturday but one in every month, and paid in the course of the following week.

These regulations are considered part of the contract, with which all persons entering into the employment of the Hamilton Manufacturing Company, engage to comply.

JOHN AVERY, Agent.

8th Grade Project - Requirements for Exhibit Board

Homework -- 5/21

Tomorrow is the Lowell Field Trip - See Below for Requirements and Schedule Language Arts Note: Have L.A. journal in class with you all the time. Assigned today: None Previously assigned/still due: None Math Assigned today: 7th Grade: None 8th Grade: None Previously Assigned/still due: 7th: None 8th: None Note: When needed, you can always get grid paper from the internet. Social Studies Assigned today: 7th Grade only - Due Tuesday, 5/26, read your handout on Lowell and Waltham System (see above), highlight what you find surprising, and we will discuss these on Tuesday. Previously Assigned/still due: None Science Assigned today: None Previously Assigned/still due: None Spanish Assigned today: 7th Grade: None 8th Grade: None Previously Assigned/still due: 7th Grade: None 8th Grade: None Technology
  • The Yearbook Assignment is due next Wednesday, 5/27.
Atelier
  • There will be an open studio on Tuesday, 5/26, 3:00-4:30 to finish collograph construction.
Materials Needed for Homework to be Taken Home:
  • 7th grade - Social Studies handout on Lowell Mills

Atelier Open Studio

There will be an open studio on Tuesday, 5/26, 3:00-4:30 to finish collograph construction.

Field Trip to Lowell

Tomorrow is the all-day Field Trip to Lowell National Historical Park and the Tsongas Industrial History center, both in Lowell, Massachusetts. This trip is an important part of our study of 19th century American History; specifically the origins and consequences of the Industrial Revolution on New England and the Nation. Students are now reading the historical novel, Lyddie, set in the Boott Cotton Mill of the 1840s - one we will visit. Students will also be participating in a hands-on workshop exploring different aspects of the factory experience. Requirements for the Day
  • Appropriate clothing for the weather (we may need to travel by foot once in Lowell)
  • Snack, water and lunch in paper bag, labeled with name
  • Good walking shoes (no flip-flops)
  • No cell phones or other electronic devices (teachers will have phones for emergency contact*)
  • Optional: camera (no phone cameras)
*If not an emergency - such as pick-up changes on Friday afternoon - contact Monique, who will relay information to us. (For emergencies, John's cell no. is 413-585-0569; Jane's cell no. is 413-475-2854; Marc's cell no. is 413-210-5503.) Program Schedule: 6:45 a.m. - arrive at HCCPS 9:15 - arrive in Lowell, MA 9:30 - tour and Workshops begin noonish - Lunch 12:30 - 1:45 - continue with workshops 2:00 - return to HCCPS 4:30 - scheduled time of arrival at HCCPS

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Homework -- 5/20

There are only 2 assignments (unless, of course, you have outstanding work still not turned in to John or Jane):
  1. If anyone has not yet turned in their Lowell Field Trip Permission Form, you must absolutely get it here, signed, tomorrow!
  2. The Yearbook Assignment is due next Wednesday, 5/27.
NOTE: Students are to always have their current independent reading book with them in school. They should be reading for 20 minutes daily in their independent reading book.

Prisms Yearbook

REQUIREMENTS FOR 08-09 PRISMS YEARBOOK Each student will design a page layout for the Yearbook: Minimum 4, maximum 8 Photos --- You will scan these so get them in immediately, start collecting tonight, bring them in for next Wednesday (5/27)! At least one of the photos needs to have a picture of you in it. Minimum 3 Quotes --- Yours or famous quotes, or friends' quotes that are truly relevant to you. All Content is 100% school appropriate and should specifically reflect your time here; don't include some special interest or hobby that isn't specifically related to time at HCCPS. Plan a rough pencil sketch first. Each Book will Cost $12, with consideration given to families who wish for a discount.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Homework -- 5/19

First Draft of 8th Grade Project due tomorrow! NOTE: Students are to always have their current independent reading book with them in school. They should be reading for 20 minutes daily in their independent reading book. Language Arts Note: Have L.A. journal in class with you all the time. Assigned today: Due Wednesday, 5/20, read chs. 7 & 8 of Lyddie. In L.A. journal, write a dated entry that is one quotation/passage from each chapter you want the class to discuss. Be ready for a comprehension quiz on chs. 7 & 8. Previously assigned/still due: None Math Assigned today: 7th Grade: Due Wednesday, 5/20, complete Labsheet 1.2 (Stretching and Shrinking). 8th Grade: None Previously Assigned/still due: 7th: None 8th: None Note: When needed, you can always get grid paper from the internet. Social Studies Assigned today: None Previously Assigned/still due: Due Wednesday, 5/20, return Lowell trip permission slip. Science Assigned today: None Previously Assigned/still due: None Spanish Assigned today: 7th Grade: None 8th Grade: None Previously Assigned/still due: 7th Grade: None 8th Grade: None
8th Grade Project
  • Write something everyday in your journal (except weekends, unless otherwise arranged with advisor): entries should be dated and focused on how your independent project is going, your feelings about it, challenges, successes.
  • Journals are turned in every Friday morning (onto Marc's table). If we do not have school on Friday, they are turned in at the end of the day on Thursday.
Materials Needed for Homework to be Taken Home:
  • 8th grade - L.A. journal (for project entry)
  • L.A. - journal and Lyddie
  • Math 7 - math book and binder, and Labsheet 1.2.
  • Lowell trip permission slip

Monday, May 18, 2009

Homework -- 5/18

NOTE: Students are to always have their current independent reading book with them in school. They should be reading for 20 minutes daily in their independent reading book. Language Arts Note: Have L.A. journal in class with you all the time. Assigned today: Due Tuesday, 5/19, complete the reading of chs. 5 & 6 of Lyddie. In L.A. journal, write a dated entry that is one quotation/passage from each chapter you want the class to discuss. Be ready for a comprehension quiz on chs. 5 & 6. Previously assigned/still due: None Math Assigned today: 7th Grade: Due Tuesday, 5/19, complete 1.1 on p. 7 (Stretching and Shrinking). 8th Grade: None Previously Assigned/still due: 7th: None 8th: None Note: When needed, you can always get grid paper from the internet. Social Studies Assigned today: Due Wednesday, 5/20, return Lowell trip permission slip. Previously Assigned/still due: None Science Assigned today: Grade 8 only - Due Tuesday, 5/19, read pp. 399-403 of handout (16.2 Acids, Bases, and pH). Previously Assigned/still due: None Spanish Assigned today: 7th Grade: None 8th Grade: None Previously Assigned/still due: 7th Grade: None 8th Grade: None
8th Grade Project
  • Write something everyday in your journal (except weekends, unless otherwise arranged with advisor): entries should be dated and focused on how your independent project is going, your feelings about it, challenges, successes.
  • Journals are turned in every Friday morning (onto Marc's table). If we do not have school on Friday, they are turned in at the end of the day on Thursday.
Materials Needed for Homework to be Taken Home:
  • 8th grade - L.A. journal (for project entry)
  • L.A. - journal and Lyddie
  • Math 7 - math book and binder, and Labsheet 1.1A.
  • Lowell trip permission slip
  • Science 8 - handout (Acids, Bases, and pH)