Fort Ashby in Mineral County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Women at the Fort
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, February 7, 2023
1. Women at the Fort Marker
The Virginia Regiment typically authorized the presence of three women per fort to cook and wash laundry for the garrison. There are no records of who these women were or what happened to them after their service, but they must have been hearty souls. They gave important support to the defense of the frontier.
The only compensation they received for endless hard labor was a share of food rations "on condition of their behaving well and washing for the men."
Jane Ashby
Captain Ashby's wife Jane also lived at the fort, but as an officer's wife she would have been spared cooking and washing chores. Mrs. Ashby apparently used her free time to meddle in the affairs of the garrison, so much so that her behavior drew the ire of Colonel Washington, who wrote a scathing letter to Capt. Ashby:
There are continual complaints to me of the misbehaviour of your Wife; who I am told sows sedition among the men and is chief of every mutiny. If she is not immediately sent from the camp, or I hear any more complaints of such irregular Behaviour upon my arrival there; I shall take care to drive her out myself and suspend
this page online
-G. Washington, 12/28/1755
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Women.
Location. 39° 30.329′ N, 78° 45.926′ W. Marker is in Fort Ashby, West Virginia, in Mineral County. It is on Silver Maple Street. Located on the grounds of the Fort Ashby Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 237 Dans Run Road, Fort Ashby WV 26719, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Eastern Panhandle. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Step Back in Time (here, next to this marker); Welcome to Ashby's Fort (a few steps from this marker); The Work Continues (a few steps from this marker); Old Fort (a few steps from
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, February 7, 2023
2. Women at the Fort Marker
Also see . . . Friends of Ashby's Fort. (Submitted on February 8, 2023, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 8, 2023, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 180 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 8, 2023, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
