Chimney sweeps: Small children, 6 to 8 years old, crawled up chimneys and loosened the soot with a broom. They often worked 12-hour days. Gillie boys: These boys helped fishermen. They baited hooks, pulled nets, and prepared food. Loblollies: These boys were surgeons’ assistants and worked on military ships. Office boys: Young boys worked in offices sharpening pencils, stuffing envelopes, sweeping floors, and running errands. Powder monkeys: These boys worked on warships and at forts, carrying gunpowder to the cannons during battle. Vendors: Children often sold things on city streets. There were newspaper boys, muffin boys, and hot corn girls. Waterboys: Farm and construction crews had waterboys, who brought water to them while they worked.
