Letters of John and Elizabeth Hodgdon (1840)
The textile industry that developed in New England in the first half of the nineteenth century attracted many young women by offering them the opportunities to earn better wages than they otherwise would have and to achieve some degree of independence. At the same time, however, the hours in the factories were long, the work was arduous, and discipline was strict. The following letters are addressed to a factory worker by her brother and sister.
Dear sister, I take this time to write you a few lines as I have a good opportunity. I thank you for your letter you sent sister and myself; and I find you have not forgotten me (your unworthy Brother). As you wrote to me about never working there again I hope you will never be under the necessity of it but I hope you will not put to[o] much dependence on your absent fri[e]nd for you know not neather do any of us what time will bring forth but God alone knows and if we put our trust in him he will bring all things for the best. Therefore let us look to him alone and he will brings things out right. You said if I mistake not you have not seen a well day since your absence. I am sorry to hear that for it pained me to the hart and brought me to reflect on myself when sick from home. But it was not so hard for me having a sister to comfort me in my illness. I suppose sister that I shall come after you if nothing particular prevents me. So you can give your notice when you please and send us word and we will move you home as you say.
Yours with respect Sarah D Hodgdon
Your most affectionate brother John B. Hodgdon I have forgoten one thing; Mr Hays Lydias father Layes at the point of Deth. He has a feaver and has been sick about or little over a week. His fri[e]nds have given him up and the Doctor says it is a doutful case.
Dear Sister
Do not think I have forgotten you because I have not written for there has always been something to prevent me so that I could not write & the alarm concerning the small pet entirely ceased soon after you went away & I thought you would probably hear of it therefore I did not feel so anxious about writing as if it had been otherwise.
Sister Sarah I suppose you feel by this time as though you had worked long enough in the factory & I should think the money you wrote me you had earned with what you had before would be as much as you would need to spend during this year, you know. The patterns you sent me I do not like very much. Respecting Florence bonnets I think they are to[o] costly for us & in fact they last too long; but if you think you should prefer them I have not a word to say. I think it will not be possible for me to go down while you work there so if you make any purchases I have only so say satisfy yourself & I assure you I shall not be dissatisfied. Study what will be profitable & becoming for us the ensuing season if we should live to enjoy it which may it be the pleasure & will of Divine Providence that we may & be blest in fully realizing what our fond hopes now anticipate.
You say you want to come home when we all think you have staid long enough but we do not know better than you or so well either when you have earned as much as you will want to spend. Yet it is Mothers opinion & mine that you have already as much as you will probably want to spend if you lay it out to good advantage which we doubt not but you will. We want you to make arrangements to suit yourself to give your notice as soon as you please & settle all up & send us word so that we may know when to send for you or move you home as you say.
All are well in this place excepting Mr Hayes of whom John has wrote. It is really a distressed house & an affecting scene to see relatives weeping over him. All the children are at home excepting Ichabod whom they expect next Wednesday. Moses was over here last Friday after Aunt Liberty to go & take care of him but she could not go. He said he wished you was at home that he might get you to go & said something about going down after you. But I should advise you not to go if he did but dont you let him know that I said any thing against it. Yet I think on the whole that he will not go for you now the doing is so bad and the house is already quite full.
Be sure to send us word as soon as you learn how your time is limited. Give my love to Lucy & accept much to yourself.
From your affectionate sister Elizabeth K. Hodgdon
Document Analysis
1. Although Sarah didn’t author either letter, her sentiments concerning her life and work in the factory can be discerned from the responses of her siblings. How does Sarah appear to feel about her present lifestyle?
Do you feel that John and Elizabeth are supportive of Sarah? Why or why not? How would you have responded had you been in their position?