WOMEN IN HISTORY - MOLLY PITCHER (MARY LUDWIG HAYS MCCAULEY)
Born Mary Ludwig, this revolutionary heroine followed the Continental Army for more than 3 years,
doing what was needed to free the colonies from the tyranny of England
doing what was needed to free the colonies from the tyranny of England
Source: Compton's Pictured Encyclopedia Vol 1, Compton (1928)
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DATE OF BIRTH
ca. 1754
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PLACE OF BIRTH
New Jersey
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DATE OF DEATH
January 22, 1832
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PLACE OF DEATH
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
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EARLY LIFE
Mary Ludwig Hays was born on October 13, 1754. Historians argue over where she was born, but she
was either born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or New Jersey. She grew up in a small, modest
household and her parents were German immigrants. It was unlikely that she would have learned to
read or write during this time. When she was in her early twenties, she married a barber named
William Hays. Hays decided to enlist in the 4th Pennsylvania Artillery and served in the Continental Army when the American Revolutionary War began.
was either born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or New Jersey. She grew up in a small, modest
household and her parents were German immigrants. It was unlikely that she would have learned to
read or write during this time. When she was in her early twenties, she married a barber named
William Hays. Hays decided to enlist in the 4th Pennsylvania Artillery and served in the Continental Army when the American Revolutionary War began.
ACHIEVEMENTS
During the Battle of Monmouth on June 28, 1778, Hays allegedly solidified her legacy as an American hero. Historians report that about fifty soldiers died of thirst and dehydration that day. This meant that as many men died from heat exhaustion as they did from gunfire. Hays went back and forth into the battle to bring water to thirsty soldiers from a nearby spring. She stayed on the battlefield bringing water and caring for wounded soldiers until her own husband got hurt.
When her husband was wounded during this battle, she made the decision to take his place at the cannon and began firing. After the battle, legend has it that George Washington asked about the courageous woman who was on the battlefield and promoted her to a non-commissioned officer. For this reason, Hays carried the nickname “Sergeant Molly.”
When her husband was wounded during this battle, she made the decision to take his place at the cannon and began firing. After the battle, legend has it that George Washington asked about the courageous woman who was on the battlefield and promoted her to a non-commissioned officer. For this reason, Hays carried the nickname “Sergeant Molly.”
QUOTE
“Well, that could have been worse.” (uttered when a cannonball ripped through her skirts on the battlefield) ~ Molly Pitcher
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Stevenson, Augusta. Molly Pitcher: Young Patriot, Alladin Press, 1986.
WEBSITES
- https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/molly-pitcher
- https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/mary-ludwig-hays
- https://ushistory.org/valleyforge/youasked/070.htm#google_vignette
- https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/molly-pitcher-most-famous-american-hero-who-never-existed-180977229/
- https://www.history.com/news/who-was-molly-pitcher