Molly Pitcher
Americas First Heroine
During the Revolutionary War, on June 28, 1778. A blistering hot day at the Battle of Monmouth. A woman who was with her husband, John Casper Hays, who served in the Pennsylvania Regiment carried water to the thirsty American soldiers who shouted “MOLLY, Molly Pitcher” when they needed water. Through heavy bombardment Molly carried the water to the parched soldiers during the artillery duel. Her husband was wounded and she immediately helped load and fire the cannon continuing the barrage against the British. Legend has it that General George Washington commended Molly Pitcher after the battle and commissioned her a sergeant on the battlefield. This seems to be substantiated by the fact that she was given an army pension and buried in her home town with full military honors in 1832. The home where she drew water is to your Northeast.
Robert N. Ferrell
Marker is on Freehold Englishtown Road (County Route 522), on the left when traveling east.
Courtesy hmdb.org
