Eleven year old girl “They say I’m too little to work steady” – {photographs from 1911}

(It was a tough life for these children in 1911 in Danville, Virginia as these pictures reveal)

Schoolfield Cotton Mill in Danville, Virginia had a few underage workers in June 1911 when these photographs were taken by photographer Lewis Wickes Hine, but Washington Cotton Mills in Fries, Virginia had a number of underage employees in May 1911. These children had to grow up fast to help support their families.

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Schoolfield Cotton Mills,

Danville Va. Going to work; 6:30 A.M. June 9, 1911 A few young boys and girls under 14, work in these mills, but not many, and they are large mills

Schoolfield Cotton Mills, Danville Va. Going to work; 630 A.M. June 9, 1911 A few young boys and girls under 14, work in these mills, but not many, and they are large mills.

One of the young workers in Schoolfield Mills, Danville, Va. The proportion of youngsters to the large number of employees is not large. Location: Danville, Virginia

One of the young workers in Schoolfield Mills, Danville, Va. The proportion of youngsters to the large number of employees is not large Boys at the gate, and one running off, work in Schoolfield Mills, Danville, Va. 

Boys at the gate, and one running off, work in Schoolfield Mills, Danville, Va.

Some of the young workers in Schoolfield Cotton Mills, Danville, Va. The very young would not be photographedSome of the young workers in Schoolfield Cotton Mills, Danville, Va. The very young would not be photographed

Group of adolescent spinners in Washington Cotton Mills, Fries, Va. The youngest ones would not be photographed. Location Fries, Virginia. May 1911

Group of adolescent spinners in Washington Cotton Mills, Fries, Va. The youngest ones would not be photographed. Location Fries, Virginia. May 1911

 One of the youngest spinners in the Washington Cotton Mills, Fries, Va. Hettie Roberts. Runs two sides. Been working several weeks

One of the youngest spinners in the Washington Cotton Mills, Fries, Va. Hettie Roberts. Runs two sides. Been working several weeks

  One of the young doffers in Washington Cotton Mills, Fries, Va., going to dinner. Said he was 15 years old, but it is doubtful May 1911

One of the young doffers in Washington Cotton Mills, Fries, Va., going to dinner. Said he was 15 years old, but it is doubtful

 Views of the Washington Mills, Fries Va. Housing conditions are fairly good, but housekeeping not very good. Working very good. Good light, fresh air. Fries, Va. 

View of the Washington Mills, Fries Va. Housing conditions are fairly good, but housekeeping not very good. Working very good. Good light, fresh air. Fries, Va.

View of the Washington Mills, Fries Va. Housing conditions are fairly good, but housekeeping not very good. Working very good. Good light, fresh air. Fries, Va.

Some of the doffers in the Washington Cotton Mills, Fries, Va. The smallest one said he was 15 years old but, for that matter, they are all “wise” to the necessity for being at least 14. All work. The group was posed by the overseer.Some of the doffers in the Washington Cotton Mills, Fries, Va. The smallest one said he was 15 years old but, for that matter, they are all wise to the necessity for being at least 14. All work.

Doffers in Washington cotton mill

 A part of the spinning force working in the Washington Cotton Mills, Fries, Va. Group posed by the overseer. All work. The overseer said, “These boys are a bad lot.” All were alive to the need for being 14 years old when questioned

A part of the spinning force working in the Washington Cotton Mills, Fries, Va. Group posed by the overseer. All work. The overseer said, These boys are a bad lot. All were alive to the need for being

spinners

Family of L.W. Money. Father, daughter and two boys work in spinning room of Washington Cotton Mills. Fries, Va. Smallest worker said he was thirteen, but it is doubtful

Family of L.W. Money. Father, daughter and two boys work in spinning room of Washington Cotton Mills. Fries, Va. Smallest worker said he was thirteen, but it is doubtful.

T.J. Fields and family. The father cards, two girls spin, boy on right end picks up bobbins, Washington Cotton Mills, Fries, Va. Been working a year or two. Mother and smallest children not in photoT.J. Fields and family. The father cards, two girls spin, boy on right end picks up bobbins, Washington Cotton Mills, Fries, Va. Been working a year or two. Mother and smallest children not in photo

Mill boys’ recreation. A Sunday swim. Base-ball on Sunday is tabooed here. Sunday-school and church are well attended. Loafing around, playing marbles, and swimming seem to be the only respite from the week’s work. Location Fries, Virginia.Mill boys' recreation. A Sunday swim. Base-ball on Sunday is tabooed here. Sunday-school and church are well attended. Loafing around, playing marbles, and swimming seem. Location Fries, Virginia.

Tommy Bullard and his family. He had been sweeping for over a year in Washington Cotton Mills, Fries, Va. Said he was 13, but it is doubtful. Mother is a widow. Sisters in the mill too. Family came a year ago from a farm at Elkins, N.C.

Tommy Bullard and his family. He has been sweeping for over a year in Washington Cotton Mills, Fries, Va. Said he was 13, but it is doubtful. Mother is a widow. Sisters in the mill too. Family came a year ago

Family of A.P. Stata (he is at church). Father, son and two oldest girls in photo work in Washington Cotton Mills, Fries, Va. The little spinner on left of photo has been working three years. Runs six sides. Can run eight, “if they’d let me.” Family of A.P. Stata (he is at church). Father, son and two oldest girls in photo work in Washington Cotton Mills, Fries, Va. The little spinner on left of photo has been working three years.

Family of J. J. Moore. All but mother and two smallest children on steps work in Washington Cotton Mills, Fries Va. Smallest spinner (right hand end of front row) said she was 14, but she surely is not. The family came from a Carolina farm three years agoFamily of J. J. Moore. All but mother and two smallest children on steps work in Washington Cotton Mills, Fries Va. Smallest spinner right hand end of front row said she was 14, but she surely is not.

Sunday morning by the river. All of these boys work in Washington Cotton Mills, Fries, Va. Smallest boy doffs. Asked him his age, and he said, after hesitation, “I don’t know.” One of his chums said, “You told me the other day you were ten years old.” He appeared to be. Location: Fries, Virginia

Sunday morning by the river. All of these boys work in Washington Cotton Mills, Fries, Va. Smallest boy doffs. Asked him his age, and he said, after hesitation, I don't know.

 S.D. Ison and family. Father works some. Both boys on right of photo have been in Washington Cotton Mills, Fries, Va., for four years. When I asked the smallest worker how old he was, he said, “Don’t know,” and looked at his father, who said, “Going’ on 14.” (but he did not say how near to 14 he was). Location: Fries, VirginiaS.D. Ison and family. Father works some. Both boys on right of photo have been in Washington Cotton Mills, Fries, Va., for four years. When I asked the smallest worker how old he was, he said,

Dependent (able-bodied) Parents. Fries, Va. Family of Albert Senter. He said, “I don’t work steady. Have a garden here.” Eleven year old Mandy has learned to “spin” by “helping.” She said, “They say I’m too little to work steady.” Father added, “I guess she’ll get in all right in a little while. They’ve been extra careful, lately, ’cause the inspector’s been around, but it’ll be easier now for her to get in.” The three girls work and Mandy helps, with one eye on a steady job. Location: Fries, Virginia

Dependent (able-bodied) Parents. Fries, Va. Family of Albert Senter. He said, I don't work steady. Have a garden here.Eleven year old Mandy has learned to spin by helping.She said,

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