Born: Unknown (1700s), United Kingdom (assumed)
Died: Unknown (1800s)
Country most active: United Kingdom
Also known as: NA
The following is excerpted from “Female Warriors: Memorials of Female Valour and Heroism, from the Mythological Ages to the Present Era,” by Ellen C. Clayton (Mrs. Needham), published in 1879 and shared online by Project Gutenberg.
During the Irish Rebellion of ’98, women very often risked their lives both on the battle-field and in the defence of houses. Amongst the latter was Susan Frost, a Suffolk woman, nurse to General Sir Charles James Napier. During the temporary absence of the Napier family in England, this woman remained at Celbridge House, in Ireland, with a few of the younger children. The “Defenders” having ascertained that this mansion contained a great number of arms, surrounded it one night. The only persons in the house, besides Susan and the children, were a few maids and Lauchlin Moore, an old serving-man. The rebels, who numbered several hundreds, anticipated an easy capture; but the house was strongly built, and, besides, was defended by Susan Frost, of whose obstinate courage they were as yet ignorant. Collecting all the children together in one room, she stationed herself with a brace of pistols outside the door. The “Defenders” called on the little garrison to surrender; but Lauchlin Moore, acting under the orders of Susan, shouted out defiant refusals. Every time he passed a window, volleys of shot whizzed around his head.
When the assailants began to batter the door with a beam of wood, Moore’s courage failed him, and he wished to give up the arms. But Susan invariably answered “No! No! Never! Never!” At last the arrival of some men-servants, from a neighbouring mansion, put the rebels to flight.