Lowell Dec 21st 1845

Dear Father

I received your letter on Thursday the 14th with much pleasure. I am well which is one comfort. My life and health are spared while others are cut off. Last Thursday one girl fell down and broke her neck which caused instant death. She was going in or coming out of the mill and slipped down, it being very icy. The same day a man was killed by the [railroad] cars. Another had nearly all of his ribs broken. Another was nearly killed by falling down and having a bale of cotton fall on him. Last Tuesday we were paid. In all I had six dollars and sixty cents paid $4.68 for board. With the rest I got me a pair of [rubber boots] and a pair of 50.cts shoes. Next payment I am to have a dollar a week beside my board. . . .

This from

Mary S Paul

Based on the letter, what were the working conditions inside factories in Lowell? What was the weekly wage a woman was paid for working in Lowell?