Many of the African American women residents of James City, Craven County, North Carolina earned their living as washerwomen.

In the early 1900s they walked across the old bridge and picked up dirty clothing from residents in New Bern.

They returned home to wash, dry, and fold the clothing, and then again endure the long walk back to New Bern to deliver the clean clothes and receive a small amount of money for the service rendered.

Working as a washerwoman was grueling, day in and day out. Many elderly citizens of James City still remember what it was like working their fingers to the bone at this difficult task.

Without the convenience of a washing machine or dryer, washerwoman cleaned everything by hand power on a scrub board.

Most of the clothing was boiled in a 50-pound lard can. The only means of drying laundry was by hanging it outdoors on a clothesline and sometimes over a nearby bush.

Note: we found out that the top photo was turned into a postcard:
Titled - Pastoral Visit
New Bern, North Carolina
Post Card
(The Albertype Co. Brooklyn NY)

Photographs Courtesy James City Historical Society