Forgotten Revolutionaries: Camp Followers Discovery Cart

Bowl and Spoon
Camp followers sold fresh produce to hungry soldiers whose military rations often only included dried and salted foods.

Tin Kettle
Soldiers often paid camp followers to do their laundry. People didn’t bathe very often, but they kept their clothing clean. Women washed shirts and other garments using soap and water heated in a tin kettle like this one.

Wool Blanket
Camp followers endured the same conditions as soldiers. They marched long distances – often with children in tow – and slept outdoors.

Clothes
Women on campaign still wore women’s clothing, including garments like these shoes, petticoat, stays, and bonnet. These garments were durable but often still fashionable.

Whirligig
Adults were not alone as they followed the armies. Some children went with their parents on campaign. They did chores, helped around camp, and played with toys like this whirligig. You can make your own using these instructions!

Basket
Camp followers had to carry their belongings on their backs, just like soldiers. One witness described Hessian camp followers as “having a bushel basket on their back, by which they were bent double, the contents seemed to be Pots & kettles, various sorts of Furniture, children peeping thro the gridirons & other utensils.”