As we all know, especially lately, the longer a war of any size goes on, the more of a burden it puts on those who stay at home. When the American Revolution began, the first soldiers to fight were primarily New England militiamen (every able-bodied male between 16 and 60 was required to be part of a town’s militia). The local militias responded or mustered to alarms that often required a three-day commitment. They also responded to expeditions that could last from two weeks to a couple of months. Even longer stays created by the siege of Boston occasionally allowed for short trips back home.
However, once the Continental Army came into being, the times of enlistment grew much longer, and the distance from home increased. As time passed, the General Court asked Rochester (and other towns) to raise a “cota” of soldiers to fill the ranks of the depleted army. In 1780, Rochester’s “cota” was for 32 soldiers. The town often struggled to honor these requests, but in 1780 was able to come up with the 32 men. Some were paid by the town to be three-month men and others to be six-month men. In 1781, the General Court called for 25 men to serve “for three years or during the war.” The bounty voted by town meeting was 100 hard dollars paid each year in January. Muster cards show men signing up for these longer enlistments.
Back to those at home. Money had been scarce prior to 1776, but it became worse once war was declared. To make matters worse, there was no dependable national currency. Women who were left trying to feed their families had to rely on the barter system.
That was not their only concern. With the absence of older boys and men, women’s work (already burdensome) increased as they took on tasks previously done by those gone to war. Farming still had to be carried out as well as caring for livestock and managing building repairs.
As part of our current exhibit (some of which is shown in the picture), “Rochester and the Revolution,” there is a section devoted to items that a woman would use to accomplish her chores. It includes, in part, a grain sifter, sewing materials, a rug beater and a variety of utensils. There are also heavy pots and a toaster that would be placed in the fireplace. Also included are items like a scythe and shingle axe that might well have been used in new duties.
Adding to all of this, the long lists of those killed and wounded continued to grow. Some of the wounded made it home but could only hobble about their farms or businesses and as one writer said, “The women took on more duties.” Another concern was the rising inflation. Everything cost more, from shoes to the increased price of “rum wine.” The town raised taxes to cover the cost of the “requisition on the town for beef for the army.”
Though peace finally came in 1783, it didn’t unburden the townspeople and there was much “confusion and dissatisfaction” in the community. Soldiers’ families suffered the most, with many having to wait years for payments and pensions.
By Connie Eshbach
