Laurence M. Hauptman, Professor Emeritus of History at the State University of New York published a work for NMAI Magazine entitled They Also Served: American Indian Women in the War of 1812. In the article, Mr. Hauptman provides a great deal of evidence regarding the enlistment of Six Nations women in American military service.

He located information in New York State Archives showing at least 5 Native women received military pensions for officially serving as “cooks”: Polly Cooper, Susan Jacob, Dinah John, Julia John and Dolly Schenandoah.

  These women enlisted in regiments of Indian volunteers and served honorably. Though officially labeled as “cooks” in pension records, many served in combat alongside their husbands as a matter of necessity.

        Records indicate these women sought compensation for expenses related to their military service. Dinah John persisted for more than 20 years until she was able to secure an $8 per  month pension from the New York State Legislature in 1878 for her military service. 

The image included here is representative rather than individually specific, as there are no paintings or photographs of these women during their time of service.