What was important about the Factory Act of 1833 ?
In 1833 the Government passed a Factory Act to improve
conditions for children working in factories.A maximum working
week of 48 hours was set for those aged 9 to 13, limited to
eight hours a day; and for children between 13 and 18 it was
limited to 12 hours daily.
How useful are sources A, B and C to an historian studying the
problems faced by factory workers in the 19th century?
Historical Discipline: Primary sources are records from the past
which help us learn about different times and events
SOURCE A: Joseph Hebergam, aged 17, was questioned
by Parliament In 1832 about his work in a mill in
Hudderfield:
"After I had worked for half a year I could scarcely walk.In the
morning my brother and sister used to take me under each arm
and run with me, a good mile, to the mill. If we were five
minutes late, the overlooker would take a strap and beat us ‘til
we were black and blue.’
SOURCE B: Leonard Horner, a government appointed
factory inspector, describes what happened to a young girl
in a textile factory:
"She was caught by her apron, which wrapped around the
shaft. She was whirled round and repeatedly forced between
the shaft and the carding engine. (Her right leg was found some
distance away.)’
In 1833 the Government passed a Factory Act to improve
conditions for children working in factories.A maximum working
week of 48 hours was set for those aged 9 to 13, limited to
eight hours a day; and for children between 13 and 18 it was
limited to 12 hours daily.
How useful are sources A, B and C to an historian studying the
problems faced by factory workers in the 19th century?
Historical Discipline: Primary sources are records from the past
which help us learn about different times and events
SOURCE A: Joseph Hebergam, aged 17, was questioned
by Parliament In 1832 about his work in a mill in
Hudderfield:
"After I had worked for half a year I could scarcely walk.In the
morning my brother and sister used to take me under each arm
and run with me, a good mile, to the mill. If we were five
minutes late, the overlooker would take a strap and beat us ‘til
we were black and blue.’
SOURCE B: Leonard Horner, a government appointed
factory inspector, describes what happened to a young girl
in a textile factory:
"She was caught by her apron, which wrapped around the
shaft. She was whirled round and repeatedly forced between
the shaft and the carding engine. (Her right leg was found some
distance away.)’
