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New Netherland, New York Genealogy
Obsolete Occupations of the Netherlands
© Cor Snabel
Bleacher (bleeker)
The materials used to weave cloth always had a variable grey
to yellow color and to give it the desired shining white
surface, people developed a special washing process and
needed the help of sunlight. Bleaching fields were found
everywhere and even in the 20th century people occasionally
used their grassland to bleach their laundry. Due to the
combination of the soft water from the dunes, the filtered
sunlight and the sea wind the most important professional
bleaching fields were found along the coastline of Holland
and especially around the city of Haarlem. This made Haarlem
to an important textile center; even English merchants
bought linen, which was produced and bleached near Haarlem,
sold it in England or exported it to their colonies. Thread
was imported from Silesia, twined in Haarlem, used to weave
cloth in Brabant and transported back to Haarlem to be
bleached. When the textile industry of Haarlem declined in
about 1650, the bleaching industry around the city survived
and even flourished like never before.
For the bleaching process the bleachers not only needed the
soft water, but also starch, bluing, soap, buttermilk and
whey. This mixture was dumped in the ditches and polluted
the water around Haarlem in such a way, that the bleachers
soon had a conflict with the brewers, who needed the water
as clean as possible. After the special washing process, the
cloth was spread out on the fenced bleaching fields, guarded
by special trained dogs, which were on a leash during the
day, but patrolled the fields at night. After bleaching the
cloth was ironed, folded and packed up. It’s obvious this
was a flourishing business, but it was typical seasonal
work, it only lasted from March to September.
If you want to see a picture of the bleacher go to:
http://www.geneaknowhow.net/in/beroepen/luyken/bleker.html
>Choose from the following ancient occupations
Baker |
Beachcomber |
Beguine |
Candlemaker |
Dumpman |
Executioner |
Fanmaker |
Fireman |
Gravedigger |
Innkeeper |
Laundrywoman |
Nightwatch |
Peddlar |
Porter |
Seat Caretaker |
Ship Shanghai |
Soapmaker |
Streetpaver |
Tolltaker |
Pharmacist
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