What about Families?

Wives and children often went along with the men who were fighting. This is because they were safer with the militia units than if left alone in their farms or settlements. This meant that camp and fort life often included families. Wives and children were expected to help prepare meals, keep clothing and equipment clean and in good repair, and to help gather firewood and hunt for food.

For these frontier families, the work day began at dawn. Children were expected to help with chores, gathering firewood, caring for cows and other animals, and helping clean prepare meals. Away from the fort, children would also be expected to help with farm chores. Depending on the season, families often worked on the farm until dark.