I represent Catherine Battison, a resident of Pensacola during the British colonial period. In a 1772 estimate of expenses associated with the large “Indian congress” held in West Florida appears the item: “To Catherine Battison for mending sundry visiting Indians Guns,” and “to Catherine Battison for Armourers done for the Creek Indians at cong. Pensacola.” I also received payment for providing iron work on the jail at Pensacola in spring of 1773. I may have been the widow of Walter Battison, who is listed in the burial records as having died of “nervous fever” on September 29, 1770. This might explain the unusual situation of a woman being paid directly, especially for services like this. While it is fun to imagine a female armorer, chances are the work was done by enslaved people or employees – which makes me a colonial businesswoman.
Sources: 17, 85