Mary Ann had commented: >I feel so bad she worked so hard, got her pay, then her [sewing] machine broke! What surprised me was the fact that in 1860 sewing machines had actually been invented by then and were available to the ordinary woman. (Note: I haven't checked out the subject yet on Google!) But the more I read about what Phoebe was sewing up and mending makes it rather clear to me that she worked in a hospital or what might have been called the Poor House at the time and it was her job to keep the linens in good order. Not a very creative task considering her sewing abilities back home. But what a hard worker she was. Dear Phoebe. vee