This document is featured in the exhibit "From Roses to Raises," section: "Mill Girls 'Turn Out' in Lowell (1834-1836)"
“Petition by Boarding House Matrons to Increase Boarding Charge. (After 1835)" Appleton Company Papers, Collection Number 6516, Series VI. Labor, Box 3, Folder 94. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library. https://rmc.library.cornell.edu/EAD/htmldocs/KCL06516.html#link229
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[after 1835]
To the Agents & Directors of the Appleton
Manufacturing Company in Lowell
The undersigned would respectfully
represent to you, that they are unable longer
to board the operatives in your employ
for the existing prices. Owing to the increasing
high prices of provisions & other et cetera —
pertaining to a boarding house, the actual
cost of board has increased since 1834 to
the present time 35 per cent. So that under
existing circumstances they do not receive
the cost for the bare provision consumed
& nothing for the wear of bedding & labor.
Which circumstances they wish to present
before you to show that unless the price
of board is raised at least 25 cents per
week they cannot long remain your tenants.
And as there is an immediate necessity
of something being done, they would wish
you to fix as early a day as the 1st of
April next to add the amount above
named to the present price of board per week
(signed)
Sarah Marrill
Nancy Jo Parker
Avethuza B Stiles X
Sarah Neurton
Emmeline Davy
Mary Ames
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(signatures only)
Mary Jones X
Betsy Woodman
Nancy M Bagley
Mary Symons
Nancy Dahloff
Eliza M Mariam
Sarah Wyman
Sallome Rollins
Luvana Pearson
Clarrisa Osgood
Zerviuh(?) F Houston
Susan Dean
Betsey Straw
Mary Cary
Rachel Cheluce(?)
Hannah Fik(?)
Harriet Carleton
Mehitable Straw
Sally Smart
N Lanse(?)