Definition of "majoress"

Suppose a Coloneless, or a Majoress, or a Captainess received orders to lead her men up to a dangerous post, under a heavy fire, how would she do it?

1852 October 10, “The British Lion”, “Woman’s Rights’ Women.—Liberty, Equality, Maternity.”, in The Era, volume XV, number 733, page 8

Imagine my feelings when I found that it was composed of the nicest young ladies, in such very becoming uniforms, with a stout old drum-majoress.

1853, “The Ladies of the Creation; or, How I Was Cured of Being a Strong-Minded Woman”, in Punch, volume XXIV, London: […] the Office

But instead, the soldiery will fatten and grow sleek and strong and Commissary Sergeantess Morgan will be promoted and become a Lieutenantess, and then a Captainess, and afterwards a Majoress, and from that to Coloneless, and who knows but some time when she inspects the camp the voice of the sentry at post No. 1 will be heard calling as she approaches: “The Generaless of the Colorado Militia! Turn out the guard!”

1897 April 20, The Chicago Daily Tribune, volume LVI, number 110, page 6

If the governor of Kentucky is now making colonels by the wholesale, he is doing it “for a reason.” It is a mere unfortunate incident, for him, that he can not make colonelesses and majoresses. The grip of the appointive power on the women is even stronger than on the men.

1932 March 4, “Kentucky Colonels; And Others”, in The Fresno Morning Republican, volume LXXXI, number 64, Fresno, Calif., page 4

SERGEANT-MAJORESS? A British army male sergeant major, who hopes to start the new year as a woman, has been confined to barracks pending an investigation into his revelations to the news media.

1998 August 7, Fred Loader, The Sault Star, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., page A3

No one else can define these points for a young man, not his Major – present or not present – or his Majoress, not his friends nor his job nor his education or lack thereof.

2008, Minor Meadows, One Civic Nation, page 62

God be praiſed! my worthy lady majoreſs! my dear, fortune major!

1799, “The Major’s Courtship and Declaration”, in The Universal Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure, volume CIV, London: […] W. Bent, page 259

Landlords Arthur and Angie Cascoe and clown Alic Gostonski steady the ribbon for Major and Majoress John and Shirley to officially open the event

1994 August 24, Reading Evening Post, page 15

other guests include: MISS WINSFORD 1997, WINSFORD TOWN MAJOR & MAJORESS

1997 October 29, The Chronicle, page 12

Special guests for the evening will be Deputy Major and Majoress, Mr and Mrs Tom Dawn.

1997 November 13, “Come along to Songs of Praise”, in Burton Mail, number 31,174, page 44