In times of economic stress, the numbers of perpetually celibate and
widows who would not remarry rose, and the women involved clearly had to fend
for themselves in increasingly difficult circumstances. The traditional sectors of
female work—domestic service, textile industry, and service trades—were poorly
remunerated and women had to find some means of cutting costs by clustering
together, living with relatives, or seeking work which provided accommodation.
The various means of survival are explored together with suggestions for poten
tial source material for examining further the daily lot of women alone. In addi
tion, the particular contribution of single women, in terms of service and philan
thropic effort, is pursued.
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