Difference between revisions of "Molly Pitcher" - New World Encyclopedia

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[[Image:MollyPitcher.jpeg|thumb|250px|Molly Pitcher depicted in 1859 engraving]]
 
[[Image:MollyPitcher.jpeg|thumb|250px|Molly Pitcher depicted in 1859 engraving]]
 
"'''Molly Pitcher'''" was a nickname given to a woman who may have fought briefly in the  [[American Revolutionary War]]. Historians differ on who was the "real" Molly Pitcher, or even if she ever existed at all. Since the various Molly Pitcher tales grew in the telling, historians now often regard Molly Pitcher as [[folklore]] rather than history. However, "Molly Pitcher" may be a composite image inspired by the actions of a number of real women. The name itself may have originated as a nickname given to women who carried water to men on the battlefield during the war.  
 
"'''Molly Pitcher'''" was a nickname given to a woman who may have fought briefly in the  [[American Revolutionary War]]. Historians differ on who was the "real" Molly Pitcher, or even if she ever existed at all. Since the various Molly Pitcher tales grew in the telling, historians now often regard Molly Pitcher as [[folklore]] rather than history. However, "Molly Pitcher" may be a composite image inspired by the actions of a number of real women. The name itself may have originated as a nickname given to women who carried water to men on the battlefield during the war.  

Revision as of 20:23, 15 November 2006

Molly Pitcher depicted in 1859 engraving

"Molly Pitcher" was a nickname given to a woman who may have fought briefly in the American Revolutionary War. Historians differ on who was the "real" Molly Pitcher, or even if she ever existed at all. Since the various Molly Pitcher tales grew in the telling, historians now often regard Molly Pitcher as folklore rather than history. However, "Molly Pitcher" may be a composite image inspired by the actions of a number of real women. The name itself may have originated as a nickname given to women who carried water to men on the battlefield during the war.

Early Life

Molly’s (Mary Ludwig) father was named John George Ludwig. He was a dairy farmer. He had a farm near Trenton, New Jersey. Molly was born there on October 13, 1754. She lived with her parents and worked on the farm until she was fifteen years old.

At the age of fifteen molly's father found her a job. The job required her moving to Carlisle, Pennsylvania nearly one hundred miles away. Mary went to the home of Dr. William Irvine. She worked as a laundry woman, cook and caretaker to the doctor's children. She was able to send money home to family which made her as a feel proud and loyal daughter.

Mary met a man named John Hays. He was a barber in Carlisle. They were married in July 1769.

Molly had a desire to be near her husband while he was at battle. Molly made herself useful by cooking and washing for the soldiers. She also acted as a health aid. Molly's husband was shot. He died. Molly was astonished! They were already short on soldiers. Molly took over for her husband filling or loading the cannons for the remainder of the battle. Without her help, the men would be working double duty trying to fill the spot her husband left.


In 1928, "Molly Pitcher" was honored with an overprint reading "MOLLY / PITCHER" on a U.S. postage stamp. "Molly" was further honored in World War II with the naming of the Liberty ship SS Molly Pitcher, launched, and subsequently torpedoed, in 1943.

There is a hotel in Red Bank, New Jersey — not far from the site of the Battle of Monmouth — named after Molly Pitcher, called the Molly Pitcher Inn. There is also a rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike named for Molly Pitcher at Southbound Mile 71.7. The stretch of US Route 11 between Shippensburg, Pennsylvania and Chambersburg, Pennsylvania is known as the Molly Pitcher Highway.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Bohrer, Melissa Lukeman. Glory, Passion, and Principle: The Story of Eight Remarkable Women at the Core of the American Revolution. New York: Atria Books, 2003. ISBN 0-7434-5330-1.
  • Raphael, Ray. Founding Myths: Stories That Hide Our Patriotic Past. New York: New Press, 2004. ISBN 1-56584-921-3. Raphael regards "Molly Pitcher" as a myth which serves to obscure the actual (though less dramatic) contributions of women to the war effort.
  • Teipe, Emily J. Will the Real Molly Pitcher Please Stand Up?

External links

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