1778-
‘Elizabeth Clayton, near forty years of age, from an early propensity towards masculine employments, has continued to dress and work in the capacity of a ship-carpenter for many years. She drinks, swears, chews tobacco and keeps company only with the workmen. She is a strong and healthy person and will employ her tongue, or fist, as much to the danger of an opponent as the boldest man. She earns nine shillings per week, and, as yet has not been prevailed on to enter into the matrimonial state. The gentleman who gave this anecdote saw her on the 10 Dec., 1778’
A History and Antiquities of the County of Norfolk Vol. VI, 1781.
Norfolk Record Office 