Living through War

When the women of Upper Canada experienced looting and burning during the war, they responded with determination to ensure the survival of themselves, their families, and their communities. Women with farms took over the labor of men in addition to their own substantial workload, managed the activities around the farm, and continued to provide for their families. When the threat of looting or violence was high, they merged households and shared responsibilities with other women were who similarly affected by the absence of male relatives and threat of looting. Women also requested aid from anyone who seemed able to help them preserve their homes and possessions. In some cases, they even cooperated with the enemy if it meant that their children would not starve. In other events, women helped the British military through direct intervention in conflict or by providing information that saved lives. Throughout the war, women balanced survival against loyalty, shaping the narrative of their activities to highlight their courage and obscure actions that might be turned against them. When opportunities arose to seek aid from charitable organizations like the Loyal and Patriotic Society, women suffering from loss of income, looting, and burning appealed for any support that would help them survive. Aware of their position in the social hierarchy, they emphasized their dire need and demonstrated their worthiness for aid, taking whatever advantage they could from the narrative in which the poor suffering woman seeks alms from a benevolent committee of generous men.