Ellen Hooton
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Ellen Hooton was a ten-year-old girl from Wigan who gave testimony to the Central Board of His Majesty's Commissioners for inquiring into the Employment of Children in Factories, 1833.[1] She had been working for several years at a spinning frame, in a cotton mill along with other children. She worked from 5.30 am till 8 pm, six days a week and nine hours on a Saturday. She absconded at least 10 times and was punished by her overseers.
She is of interest because of the insight it gives into factory conditions, and the relationship with her mother. The ensuing Royal Commission, acted on her evidence and the Factory Acts were changed to regulate the use of children in factories.[2]