PEOPLE ON THE MOVE - Department of Geography

The Parish Council would like to draw attention to a machine invented by the
bachelor, Christian Jensen, Skeen, Ubbsby, for the manufacturing of straw bands
for thatching. Last autumn a machine for the workhouse (poor house) was bought
from the inventor, and after one year's use it is a pleasure for us to certify that it
answers its purpose completely. It is particularly suited for application in work
houses, as it can be used by old people and children. A healthy and capable man
is able to make 800 to 1000 fauns (1 faun - 1.9 meters) a day on this machine.
We should appredate it if this recommendation might help the inventor, who is an
honest and ambitious young man, and who lives under very poor conditions.
Bjorgby-Mygdal Sogneraad November 19,1870.
Document #3
Mrs. E.C.
I was born in 1879. My parents leased a farm. When I was eight years old, my
father died, leaving me and another daughter, four years old, as well as my
mother. When the auction was over and the debts paid, there was little left. My
mother had two sons from an earlier marriage, one fourteen and the other sixteen
years old at the time of my father's death, but they were out working for others.
So some years passed and we moved down to the village. Mother worked out for
farmers, and in between she wove cotton material and sold it. Then my brothers
went to America and sent her a little money now and then, and that helped
enough so that she did not have to go the commune for help.
When I was thirteen years old, I had to go out and work. I was only a child when
I came to work for a railway crossing guard and stayed there a year. I got my
food and one when I left. Mother had to provide my clothes. Then I stayed at
home while I went and read for confirmation, to the great annoyance of the
farmers around there. When I was sixteen I took service with a farmer. I had to
work like a dog, go out and spread manure and dirt from the ditches during the
summer and on the snowiest days of winter I had to carry water to eleven cows.
This besides all the other work. Work every minute from six o'clock in the same
morning until nine at night. Sundays and weekdays always the same. No wonder
that hired girls do not want to work for farmers. Whoever had done it knows all
too well what that means. The hired man often had hard work, but he has his
room to go to when he has finished his work, and he has his noon break, but
when does the hired girl get to rest? While the others take it easy around noon
she has to run out into the woods and fields to milk, and then she has to wash
dished when she is finished with that. By then the others are ready to go out to
work again and naturally she has to go along, so it was for me, so it is for all
farmers' hired girls. Never a free moment.