December 11, 1843

Dear Journal,

Hello, it’s me again. I’ve been feeling very sick lately and as I lay in bed, I begin to think about my whole life. I was born on June 29,1828 in Roxbury Maine, with only 200 people in the town. I have the largest family in the town, there’s 14 of us.

I was very tired when the watch men was yelling at me cause I didn’t make my bed. I ate breakfast and went strait to work at Hamilton Mills in the upper weave room in mill C. I make about $12.00 a month. I try to work as hard as I can but the ventilation in the mill is very poor and there is a big hole in the wall and there is water coming out and landing on my wool and making it very heavy.

Today I worked with no lunch break or time to talk with Judith or Else. I do not know if they know how sick I feel. I wish I could live in a real home so I can get well. Until tomorrow

Who am I?

Barilla Taylor, Mill girl

Abigail Elston, citizen

John Amery Lowell, Mill owner