The founding fathers we know and we even know
about the signers of the Declaration of Independence, but what about the women
in the Revolutionary War? For years I’ve stopped at the Molly Pitcher rest area
on the Jersey Turnpike and knew she was connected to the Revolutionary War, but
in what capacity?
Interestingly, the name “Molly Pitcher” was a
nickname given to women who carried water to men on the battlefield during the
War. However, in this case, Molly Pitcher is thought to be Mary Ludwig Hays
McCauley who fought in the Battle of Monmouth. Originally serving as a water
carrier, when her husband became injured, she took his place at the cannon.
Joseph Pump Martin’s memoirs include the following description, "A woman whose husband
belonged to the artillery and who was then attached to a piece in the
engagement, attended with her husband at the piece the whole time. While in the
act of reaching a cartridge and having one of her feet as far before the other
as she could step, a cannon shot from the enemy passed directly between her
legs without doing any other damage than carrying away all the lower part of
her petticoat. Looking at it with apparent unconcern, she observed that it was
lucky it did not pass a little higher, for in that case it might have carried
away something else, and continued her occupation."
George
Washington issued Mary Hays a “warrant” as a non commissioned officer for her
courage. She became known as “Sergeant Molly,” a nickname she used the rest of
her life.
The
first American female to receive a soldier’s lifetime pension after the war was
given to Margaret Corbin. She was severely wounded during the British assault
on Fort Washington in Nov. 1776 and left for dead alongside her husband, an
artillery man. Her injuries left her permanently disabled.
Interestingly,
the one woman everyone knows is Betsy Ross. As it turns out, this was a case of
a
Learn
about other women and even check your local cemeteries to see if any of the
women buried there have ties to the revolution.
Not interested in
today’s activities, try the Take a
Break Pinterest Board.
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