MOLLY, Captain, born about
1756; died near West Point, New York, about 1789. She was the wife of a
cannonier, and was at ]Port Clinton when it was captured by the British in
October, 1777. As the enemy sealed the parapet, her husband dropped his
port-fire and fled, but Molly caught it up and discharged the last gun fired by
the Americans on that occasion. She was also conspicuous at the battle of
Monmouth, 28 June, 1778, where she carried water from a neighboring spring to
her husband while he was serving a gun. A shot killed him at his post, and Molly
seized the rammer and filled his place at the gun. After the battle, covered
with dirt and blood, she was presented by General Nathanael Greene to
Washington, who commended her bravery and made her a sergeant. On his
recommendation, her name was placed upon the list of half-pay officers for life.
She continued with the army, and after the war resided at Buttermilk Falls, New
York Mrs. Alexander Hamilton describes her as "a stout,
red-haired,
freckle-faced young Irish woman, with a handsome, piercing eye." She
was a favorite with the army, and generally wore an artilleryman's coat over her
dress, and a cocked hat. She has been erroneously called Molly Pitcher.
Student Paper
Molly Pitcher (1754-1832) was born near Philadelphia
and later moved to Carlisle Pennsylvania. Later on she married William Hays, who
was a young barber. William Hays was also a Gunner in the first Pennsylvania
Artillery in 1775.
In 1822 the Pennsylvania legislature passed on an act
"for the relief of Molly McKolly, for her services during the Revolutionary
War. "She was awarded $40 annually for the rest of her life. But she died
in Carlisle Pennsylvania on January 22, 1832.
Her husband William Hays Fought in the battle of
Monmouth in the Revolutionary War. During the battle her husband fell from heat
stroke, she took his place and helped his crew fire the cannon. After his death
in 1789 she later married George McCauley.
By Anyia S. - Gotha
Middle School, Windermere, Florida.
Sources:
Encyclopedia Americana
World Book Encyclopedia
The New Book of Knowledge
New Standard Encyclopedia
