Estrogen's Impact During The Revolution

Women during the Revolutionary War assumed roles associated with the upkeep of the homefront. They did things necessary to replace their male counterparts as they were absent and somewhere fighting for the desired freedoms of America's inhabitants. These women performed jobs that tested their physical limitations and defied all conventions as well.

Many women became widows during wartime or practically abandoned for long periods of time. They would petition the government for relief and some sort of aid to overcome the hardships. This petitioning came at the hands of women not having sufficient funds to provide for their families. They couldn't get by on the half-pay promised to them and their families especially when many of their husbands were low ranking military personnel. A private's family's pension was little or nothing.

In states like Virginia provisions were allotted to the women and children of the soldiers. The allowance to those who were poor was primarily one barrel of corn and 50 pounds of pork annually. Donated to these women were also supplies such as wood, supplementation from church congregations, individuals, and society. Whether they agreed with or not, it was natural that many women accept relief.

At home a woman's workshop was generally the barn and the garden. As the textile mills became further industrialized so was the need for women workers. What made the work suitable for women is the experience with textiles as it meshed their overall efficiency with sewing and clothing repair done in the confines of the home with a factory setting. Women were employed to operate the spinning jenny, a new invention of the period.

Women took over responsibilities and managed tanning yards. They became jailors. Women assisted in making munitions and raising foodstuff as well. They developed a great pride in being a "farmeress" as well. Many of the ladies even sought out work with the Continental Army as they kept the men looking presentable by mending shirts as an act of patriotism. When times got hard women mobilized. They formed diminutive infantries and ceased goods that were scarce. They raided general stores and held store owners at gunpoint for provisions. These were things like sugar, tea, spices, and other European goods. Many women, however, disagreed with such barbarism and disdain.

Many women actually followed their husbands to war. They served as cooks, seamstresses, did the soldiers laundry, and were nurses. In many areas women were also forced to quarter troops. Indubitably, women were still not viewed as equals and struggled for political identity, yet they stood steadfast by their husbands and country. The roles they assumed were unheralded.