Some kids joined marines on their journeys and carried gun powder for them
Being a kid in the past was pretty tough, to say the least. It seems like back in the day, people were not as considerate or respectful of children as they are today. For example, it was not until 1959 that the Declaration On The Rights Of The Child was signed by most countries.
During the Age of Sail, people of all ages, from young adults to even children, were hired on warships to stuff gunpowder in cannons. They were called “powder monkeys.” It is believed that the “monkey” part of the name stemmed from the expression “monkeying around,” but this theory has yet to be proven.