Posted on 06/30/2020 7:41:50 AM PDT by Manly Warrior
Molly Pitcher-A woman of Courage and Faith.
In the Revolutionary War, there arises a story of a woman they called Molly Pitcher. She followed her artilleryman husband William Hayes into the battle of Monmouth. Men were dying of dehydration, so she got pitchers of water from a nearby spring to give to the men and to cool the guns. She walked thru gunfire, because her husband needed her. She kept this guiding force in her will: “March on, my soul be strong!” (Judges 5:21).
When her husband was wounded she went to him, tenderly laid him down and cared for his wounds. She could have had herself a “poor me” pity party, but her love of her God and country gave her the courage to get behind that big gun, taking her fallen husband's place. She started firing at the enemy. Upon seeing a woman manning a cannon, General Washington asked who that amazing woman was? Insisting of taking her disabled husbands place permanently, she was enlisted into the Continental Army for the duration of the war affectionately earning the title of “Sergeant Molly”.
Her husband later died of his wounds leaving her a large tract of land. She later remarried but her second husband took all of her inheritance leaving her destitute. This was another loss in her hopes and dreams but she had to get out of her soul any anger she felt. She gave her soul into the keeping of Jesus.
Alone, she realized that she had to take care of herself so she got a job as a domestic servant. Later, she became the first woman to receive a Revolutionary War pension of forty dollars a month authorized by direct act of congress.
Mary Ludwig-Hayes was a woman who let love and spiritual conviction be what motivated her to be one strong amazing woman! Her story inspires me and I recognize that the “Joy of the Lord is my strength” (Ne.8:10).
Mrs. Warrior
We spent our wedding night at the Molly Pitcher Inn in Red Bank.
The Molly Pitcher Inn is great!
Molly Pitcher earned her historical fame during the Battle of Monmouth, which took place in “Monmouth Courthouse” in New Jersey. It has been known as Freehold since the early 1800s, and the battlefield site is about 3 miles from where I grew up. For those who may visit, near the battlefield are several apple orchards with lots of local produce, great pies and the best apple cider donuts on the planet.
bttt
I remember reading her biography when I was in fifth grade. So interesting that I never forgot her.
For 20 years I was a member of Friends of Monmouth Battlefield and used to go to the re-enactments, which should have been last weekend (June 28) or the week before.
Actually the entire battle, really the largest of the war, included Freehold. It’s just that the only reserved part is just west of it, mostly where the rebel artillery was located. Gen. Lee started the attack at Freehold but retreated w/o telling not only Washington, but Gen. Morgan who suddenly found himself alone while beginning to get an advantage.
As for Molly Pitcher, it was apparently a common nickname applied to ladies who would help cool the guns.
Here’s an article you might be interested in
Thank you for posting that.
Her husband... died of his wounds leaving her a large tract of land. She... remarried but her second husband took all of her inheritance leaving her destitute... so she got a job as a domestic servant. [S]he became the first woman to receive a Revolutionary War pension of forty dollars a month authorized by direct act of [C]ongress.
Molly Pitcher is one of my favorite historical figures.
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