Bridget's life story, written by an unknown grandchild:
January 6, 1920
My Grandmother's Life in the Factory

Grandmother was born in Ireland in 1844. When she was four yeras old, her Father died. Shortly after this her Mother and two brothers came to America. In 1853 when Grandmother was nine years old, she and her two brothers came to America in charge of the captain. One brother was ten and the other was eight. It took thirty-three days to cross the ocean. Grandmother went to live with her Mother in Cahoes, New York. She did the house work while her Mother worked in a mill.

When Grandma was twelve she went to work in a mill where sheeting was woven. She was so small a platform was made for her to stand on to make her high enough to operate the loom.

At four o'clock in the morning the first bell was rung for the factory workers to get up. The next bell was at four-thirth and every body was expected to be at the factory. At the ringing of the last bell at five o'clock work was begun. From seven to seven-thirty they came out for breakfast. Twelve to twelve-thirty was the lunch hour. Then she would work until seven at night.

At first Grandmother operated two looms and received five dollars a month. When she had learned to operate three looms she got ten dollars a month. After she had worked in the mill for some time she operated six looms and received one dollar and ten cents a day. Each loom weaves one cut or one bolt a day. One bolt is sixty-five yards. When Grandmother was operatig six looms she would weave six cuts a day. After she had worked in Cahoes several years she went to Indian Orchard, Massachusetts where she worked in another mill. When she was twenty-one she and her Mother moved to Iowa, where two older brothers had established a home. And there her factory life was ended.

Bridget Mitchell McMorrow
ca 1920