Molly pitcher biography timeline examples

Summer 1999, Vol. 31, No. 2

By Emily J. Teipe

© 1999 by Emily J. Teipe

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A symbolic figure in the American Revolutionary War, the story of a fearless woman named “Molly Pitcher” has been told many times. This woman reportedly brought water to the troops at the Battle of Monmouth and worked the cannon after her husband was wounded. Historians say that “Molly Pitcher” is a fictional woman who represented the many women working on the battlefields. Yet, there is historical evidence that Mary Ludwig Hays was the real “Molly Pitcher.”

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.

It was very common for soldier’s wives to follow their husbands when they enlisted in the army. Mary Hays decided to join her husband at the Continental Army camp where she often washed clothes and cared for the sick. Historians note that this is where the nickname “Molly Pitcher” could have originat

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Molly Pitcher Facts

During the Revolutionary period, many women named Mary were often nicknamed Molly. Molly had an older brother named Johann Martin. Molly's parents were Maria Margaretha and John Georg Ludwig. Molly's father was a butcher. Because education was not considered to be important for women at the time, it is unlikely that she attended school. William Hays, Molly's first husband, was a local barber. They were married on July 24th, 1769 and then settled in Carlisle, Pennsylvania William Hays joined the Continental Army - Proctor's 4th Artillery in 1777. Molly joined him at the winter camp at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Molly Pitcher joined a group of women led by Martha Washington. The group were known as camp followers and provided several services. They washed blankets and clothes and cared for the sick and the dying. In 1778 William trained as an artilleryman and Molly and the other camp followers carried water to troops on the field. The water that Molly and the other women carried was used for drinking water by the soldiers and to cool down the cannon barrels. The water was also used to soak the ramrod sponge which was used to clean the barrel after each shot. When the soldiers required water they would sho