His Majesty's 4th "King's Own" Regiment of Foot
Light Infantry Company
Civilians and Followers
The Women of the 4th Kings Own
We have a mention of two women of the 4th thanks to records of a trail of Thomas Bell a Marine in Boston in 1775. Their names are Mary Andrews and Mary Grant. What little we know of these brave women is that they were called upon to testify on Thomas who sold them stolen shirts.
Researching women’s roles specific to follow the army is very daunting. What we can do is piece together a small glimpse of their lives by compiling extracts from Orderly Books, inventories and the few illustrations of camps during this time period.
The Numbers
A typical regiment of 350-400 men would have about 60-80 women and similar numbers of children following the army. This number varies on the size of the regiment and the purpose of the regiment (what they did.) Numbers can be found compiled in Don Hagist “The Women of the British Army in America” published online.
The Life
When a regiment went on campaign, orders were given regulating the number of women who could accompany it. We know based on orders that many women and children stayed in garrison in towns or cities and only few were permitted to follow the men out on campaign.
In garrison men were often excused from their mess and permitted to co-habit with their wives. This means sleep, eat and live with their family.
On campaign there are instances where women were included in the tentage but we also find orders clearly stating no women are ever to be allowed to lay in men’s tents. So cohabiting on campaign depends on who, what and where. Men were kept in messes of their own and women and children messed together sometimes with sutlers.
Women and children were kept with the valuables (baggage) when in march. This was to keep everyone in order, also keep women from plundering which was an issue that the British Army had with their followers. Although many feel these plundering reports were very much exaggerated.
Mary Colethrate's details of a woman's life on the march:
“… she had rode all day on the Baggage Waggon and had just then got off to Light her Pipe, which she was smoking at the Door, when Major Antill went in, that she never was in the house and what she had in her Apron was her husband's Biscuit, which she shewed to the Woman of the house, and who acknowledged before the Officer of the Artillery Guard that it did not belong to her & that she had not been in the House.”
In battle women were often kept with the baggage (valuables) away from the front lines. However, there are many instances of dangers women and children encountered. Such dangers documented were a fire which killed the children and wives, entering the field to give the men waters and a skirmish listing a wife killed.
Work
“The principal method by which they can hope to guard against so great an evil, is to fix a standing order, for no Non-commission-officer, Drummer, or private man to marry without the consent of the Officer commanding the Company he belongs to, which he should not grant on any account, until he has first had a strict enquiry made into the morals of the Woman, for whom the Soldier proposes, and whether she is sufficiently known to be industrious, and able to earn her bread: if these circumstances appear favourable, it will be right to give him leave, as honest, laborious Women are rather useful in a Company.” - A System for the Complete Interior Management and Oeconomy of a Battalion of Infantry", by Captain Bennett Cuthbertson
Sutlers (SUTLER, in war, one who follows the army, and furnishes provisions for the troops. They pitch their tents, or build their huts, in the rear of each regiment, and about head quarters.) We know most women sold liquors, candles, cheese, cooked for other sutlers, fresh vegetables and goods.
Nursing was the highest form of employment as a follower. Not only did you get paid more but you also received a full ration of food oppose to a half ration. You were expected to be of good character and sober.* You were expected to keep the wards clean, feed the sick, deliver medicines as instructed by the surgeon.
*Simes, The Regulator, op. cit., p. 80 (section titled, "Of the Surgeon, and his Duties".)
Laundress was the most common position to hold when following the army. Cleanliness was highly sought in camps and in garrison because sick soldiers are no use to anyone. Laundress received wood and soap rations, half ration of food and additional pay.
Other forms of work but less documented are seamstress, hay making and making of hand turf (fuel.)
The Attire
Overall Attire for a follower was a Shift (slip), Stay (corset), Stockings, Garters, Pockets, 2 petticoats, Upper Gown (Full Gown or Bedgown), Apron, Neckerchief, Cap and Shoes. Additional items like a bonnet/straw hat, chip hat or cloak may also have been worn.
In some instances, you will find women removing their upper garment to perform work with just their shift, stays, petticoats and neckerchiefs. Stays were not worn during a state of undress or sometimes not worn under a bedgown (which is an unstructured/not tightly fitted upper garment) when heavy manual labor is performed.
Hair was confined with the bulk of it on the front of the head under a cap.