Betty Harris: Married at 23 in 1827, took a job as a drawer in a coal pit near Manchester, England.
Job Description:
Role involved crawling in narrow mine shafts.
Responsible for hauling coal from the pit to the surface for the steam engines powering factories.
Work Conditions:
Performed unskilled labor for low wages; essential for industrial production.
Wore a heavy belt attached to a chain connected to the coal cart.
Worked on hands and knees in steep, slippery mine shafts.
Worked from 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., typically for 12 hours with only an hour for lunch.
Often worked while pregnant, emphasizing poor labor rights.
Crew Setup:
Worked with six women and six children, all experienced hardships and exploitation.
Physical and Social Abuse:
Encountered unsafe conditions; crawled through water in shafts.
Miners often physically abused drawers for slow performance.
Sexual harassment was common; Harris knew of children conceived from forced encounters.
After work and exhaustion, faced domestic issues; often beaten by her husband for refusing advances.
Family Challenges:
Juggled work with child care; a cousin had to assist during the day.
After 14 years, she felt weakened and unable to cope with the work demands.
Broader Context:
Harris's experience reflects the changes industrialization brought to work and family life, particularly harsh for those in low-wage labor roles.
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