Women of the Camp

"Women of the Camp" working outside a hut

NPS

Women and Children with the Army

Woman and children were part of the diverse population of the Continental Army. In most cases these women were wives of the soldiers who followed their husbands, often because they had nowhere else to go. These women were required to support the army by doing what at that time was considered “woman’s work.” The women did laundry, cooked meals and acted as nurses. For this service the women did receive rations. Washington did not like having what were called “camp followers” with his army. He said they slowed the army’s march and they consumed a portion of army’s limited food supplies. But at the same time, he knew that if he banned the women from camp, many soldiers would desert.

Officers attempted to control the number of women in camp and rations issued to them as seen in this order from Hazen’s Regiment from January 2, 1780 – “No provisions is to be issued to any Woman or Women whatever but such as may be ordered by the commanding officer of the regiment nor is any Woman whatever to be admitted or harboured in camp except by leave obtained from the commanding officer of the regiment for which the commanding officers of the companies will be responsible.”

On March 19, 1780 General Hand wrote to Joseph Reed, the President of Pennsylvania, about limiting the numbers camp followers and sending the excess back to Pennsylvania,
“…you point out, the evil consequences of generally Indulging Soldiers Wifes in drawing Rations. Your reasoning appears to me very just, and as I am convinced that the State, which has in many other instances, prov’d its generosity to the Soldiery, only mean in the present Case to correct Abuses, and not to withhold from deserving objects that degree of support which their necessities oblige them to solicit and which in many Instances the Services of their sons, Husbands, or Fathers, give them a kind of title to demand from the Public. I beg leave to hint to the Honorable Council a mode of relieving real objects, which appears to me the least exceptionable of any Viz. that on the presumption of their being useful in Cooking, Washing & Mending, Attending the Sick, &c., a number of Women of good Character proportioned to that of the Men in each Company be allowed to draw Rations in each Regt. that Commanding Officers of Regiments & Compys be answerable that no Woman who is not willing and able to work for the benefit of the Company she belongs to on reasonable terms, shall be suffered to draw Rations with the Regiment and that the number so drawing does not exceed their several proportions.That all others who expect or are in want of Public support, retire from the Army, to the Townships where they formerly resided, by the Shortest Route and be allowed to draw a certain No. of Rations on their Journey, that on their Arrival there, they shall apply to the Magistrates, or Overseers of the Poor of the district, who shall be empowered and required to give each such assistance as they find absolutely necessary for their support having reference to the Character of Individuals before, and during their Connection with the Army.Some such Mode as the above would in a grate Measure prevent Abuses, relieve the real wants of the Deserving, and quiet the Soldiers Breast, Objects worthy the attentions of the Honorable Council, and which will I trust excuse the trouble I give your Excellency.”

The records of the Presbyterian Church in Morristown list a total of 27 marriages and 3 baptisms related to the Continental Army. Five marriages occurred in 1777. Three in 1778. There were 13 marriages during the period of the 1779-1780 encampment. One took place in December. There were two weddings in January, two in March, one in April and seven in May. The increase in the spring was probably due to the improved weather allowing an easier trip into Morristown. But it was also probably to get the marriage done before the army left the encampment. We know these marriages are related to the army because the word “soldier” or “from camp” or “camp folks” appear after their names. In most cases the units the soldier belonged to is not listed. But during the 1779-80 encampment two marriages were for soldiers in the 10^th Pennsylvania Regiment and one for the 7^th Maryland Regiment.

There were also babies born in the camp. The wives of Generals Greene and Knox both gave birth during the 1779-1780 encampment. Nathaniel Ray Greene was born on January 31, 1780. While Henry Jackson Knox was born on May 24, 1780. We also know of three births among the common women of camp because they brought their children to the Presbyterian Church in Morristown to be baptized. On May 15, 1780 the Sarah, the child of William Garr, “a soldier” and his wife was baptized. The child was born on January 27, 1780. If you work backwards 9 months from the date of birth, Sarah was probably conceived during the previous encampment in the spring.

During the next encampment, on December 21, 1780 there were two recorded baptisms of people from the army. Most likely they were part of the Pennsylvania Line since they were the only troops camped in the area at that time. Ann, the child of Corporal John Smith and his wife, had been born eleven months earlier on January 12, 1780. Anne was probably conceived in the spring during the previous winter encampment at Middlebrook. She was born in Jockey Hollow during the 1779-1780 encampment but her parents waited almost a year to get her baptized. Edward, the son of Edward Blake, “soldier” and his wife, was born on October 29, 1780. Going nine months backwards, Edward was probably conceived in Jockey Hollow the previous winter. Admittedly, this is a very small sample, but the encampment baby boom makes sense. They army was in one place for an extended period of time providing more opportunities for sexual liaisons.