Child Mine Investigations

Group of Breaker Boys by Lewis Hine

-Greetings,

Today was a little heavy and eye-opening. Not to mention the weather was also gloomy. I went and visited the site of a mine that fairly recently used to utilize child laborers. While I was there I learned about how two young girls' testimonies helped persuade Parliament to action in regard to working conditions. The two girls were sisters, Ann and Elizabeth Eggley, who were only 18- and 16-years old, respectively. Ann Eggley described hard shifts that were 12 hours or longer throughout the week. They began their day at 4 or 4:30 a.m and would be done around 4 or 5 p.m. She told Parliament she had been working in the pit for 11 years. Elizabeth confirmed Ann's testimony. They both described work that was physically exhausting for them. Their father felt ashamed that his daughters had to work in the mines. I found it sad to hear that both of them testified to not knowing how to spell. Ann also stated that they wore trousers. I know they are appropriate for the situation, but it contrasts so much with the beautiful dresses I have seen women wearing during my trip so far. Now the fact that both girls testified that they didn't know who Jesus Christ was, really spoke to the British people. It shocked them and Victorian reformers used this information effectively to change child labor laws.

It was a humbling experience to visit the mine today and learn about the life of child laborers who worked there. I can only imagine. I am now retired to my bedroom. I am going to read some of a popular best-selling book for women. I will tell you all about it when I'm done.

-Good night

Bibliography

Hine, Lewis. “Industrial Revolution - Child Labor.” Ducksters, 2022. https://www.ducksters.com/history/us_1800s/child_labor_industrial_revolution.php.

"Testimony of Ann and Elizabeth Eggley, Child Mine Workers." In Family in Society: Essential Primary Sources, edited by K. Lee Lerner, Brenda Wilmoth Lerner, and Adrienne Wilmoth Lerner, 223-225. Detroit, MI: Gale, 2006. Gale In Context: World History (accessed August 6, 2023). https://link-gale-com.eznvcc.vccs.edu/apps/doc/CX2688300092/WHIC?u=viva2_nvcc&sid=bookmark-WHIC&xid=1b58c01f.

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