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Irish Famine 1847-04-30 - The Factory Girls - Heaven Bless Them
 
 
The Factory Girls - Heaven Bless Them! 
"The Voice of Industry," Lowell, MA 
April 30, 1847 
 
The following brief communication 
will show how cordially and effectively the 
factory girls of Lowell have responded to the 
appeals made to their feelings of sympathy 
and benevolence, by the distresses of the suf- 
foring poor in a foreign land. We wish that 
we were at liberty to make public the names 
of those who have been the chief instruments 
in this labor of love, but true charity seeks 
not the applause of the world, and the injunc- 
tion of silence is put upon our lips. 

Merrimack Corporation, Lowell April, 14. 

A few evenings since we 
received a call from two blessed 'sisters of 
charity,' who were responding in the appeal 
of the Christian Citizen, by visiting every 
Factory boarding-house in Lowell, and pre- 
senting the claims of the suffering Irish. The 
enclosed list proves that their efforts were not 
in vain, though the result would have been 
far more surprising and delightful, had the 
response been as fervent as the appeal 
through the lips of these most excellent fe- 
males. One small boarding-house, upon this 
corporation, was the focus and fountain of 
all the interest; and when I went in to add 
my mite of labor to theirs, and saw the five 
large boxes so nicely packed, I was astonished 
to see how much a few weak hands could ac- 
complish. 

Lowell "Mill Girls" sent a total of 1,032 
Dresses, Shawls, Cloaks, other clothes, 
and Quilts.
   
   
 
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