EMPLOYMENT IN THE 1850s

Employment in America in the 1850's not only consisted of men and women, but children as well. Employment consisted of anything from hard manual labor to a bank clerk. Factory work was also common and did not discriminate against gender or age. Children were perfect for factory work because they were tiny and were able to crawl in and out of tight places. All employment ads below are courtesy of Harper's Weekly and are authentic.

MEN:

"50,000 ACTIVE YOUNG MEN ARE WANTED IN EVERY SATE IN THE UNION. NO LOTTERY SELECTION OR BANK AGENCY, BUT A GOOD AND... B.FERN PHILADELPHIA, PA. (1858)

PEDDLERS WANTED. $950 A YEAR CAN BE MADE BY PEDDLERS, BOOK AGENTS, YOUNG MEN, AND OTHERS, WHOSE... (1858)

WOMEN:

TEACHERS WANTED,1859.

A WORK-ROOM IN DOUGLAS & SHERWOODS SKIRT MANUFACTORY, 1859.

CHILDREN:

BUTCHER BOY, 1859.

CHILD DISHING WATER, 1857.

ALBERT BOBBETT, DESIGNER AND ENGRAVER...
HAS A VACANCY FOR A RESPECTABLE YOUTH,
BETWEEN 15 AND 16 YEARS OF AGE, 1858.

THE SORROW OF A COUNTRY APPRENTICE IN NEW YORK, 1858.