Children's Working Conditions in Textile Mills

Children's Working Conditions in Textile Mills

In this essay, I am going to analyse the source material that I have

been given. These sources describe the working conditions of children

working in textile mills; I am going to conclude if they are reliable

or unreliable.

The conditions of children working in textile mills during the late

eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, were in some mills inhumane

but in many mills such as Quarry Bank Mill indications are that the

conditions in the mill were good. Source A says that workers were "

Well paid, comfortable" however mills were rarely inspected.

This quote reflects the view that Samuel Greg actually did care for

his workers, but that he was also a shrewd businessman because he knew

that a healthy workforce would reap rewards and profit. The children

worked shifts of "12 hours" and this paid for their accommodation as

they weren't paid, they only received money if they worked overtime

which would pay them 1 penny an hour. Sickness was rare "Mr Greg pays

the doctor for all medicines" in Quarry bank Mill. During 22 years

"Seventeen deaths" occurred which for the period was very low indeed.

From my visit to Quarry bank Mill, I can also comment on what happened

"outside" of the mill. Samuel Greg built an apprentice house the

accommodation was good considering that many of his children were

paupers and had previously never slept in a bed. The mattresses were

made of straw and placed in a wooden frame that was made from solid

oak. At the time due to malnutrition the average height of the women

was 4.8m and the average height of the men 5.2m the beds were very

small and they also had to sleep two to a bed. They were educated, but

only boys were allowed to progress onto the top table and use

expensive paper and quill pens.

Samuel Greg also fed them good-quality food. They were given porridge

that was packed with oatmeal and on certain days they were given bacon

and potatoes to eat.