Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Molly Pitcher

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, March 16, 2015

1. Molly Pitcher Marker

Inscription.

Molly Pitcher. . Mary McKolly McCauley ========== Mary Hays nee Mary Ludwig, Born October 13, 1744 Died January 22, 1832, ( Left Marker : ) Mary Ludwig (“Molly Pitcher”) Daughter of John Ludwig Born October 13, 1744 – Died January 22, 1832. Married John Hays 1769 – John Hays enlisted December 1, 1775 in Proctor’s First Pennsylvania Artillery – Re-enlisted January 1, 1777. Sergeant John Hays was wounded at the Battle of Monmouth June 28, 1778. Mary Ludwig Hays (“Molly Pitcher”) returned to Carlisle, Pa. with her wounded husband and after his death she married Sergeant George McKolly (or McCauley.) She died January 22, 1832, and was buried with military honors. The Pennsylvania Assembly 1821-1822 granted a pension to Molly McKolly (or McCauley) for services rendered. This monument is erected by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania June 28, 1916. Commissioners: Roy L. Schuyler – Chairman Herman A. Miller – Vice Chairman William S. Wacker – Treasurer William A. Rupp – Secretary. ( Right Marker : ) Mary Ludwig Hays (“Molly Pitcher”) accompanied her husband during his service in the Continental Army and rendered valuable service in the capacity of an army nurse and by reason of her many acts of kindness became known throughout the army, from the oft-repeated expression “Here comes Molly and her pitcher,” as “Molly Pitcher.” At the Battle of Monmouth, June 28, 1778, Sergeant John Hays was severely wounded and as he fell to the ground Molly sprang to the cannon he had been serving, which cannon had been ordered to the rear, but before the gun could be withdrawn she had taken her husband’s place and rendered such vallant service that General George Washington after the battle thanked her personally for her bravery and heroic action., “Molly Pitcher” (Mary Hays) O’er Monmouth’s field of carnage drear with cooling drinks and words of cheer, a woman passed who knew no fear, the wife of Hays, the gunner. With ramrod from her husband’s hand, beside his gun she took her stand and helped to wrest our well-loved land from England’s tyrant king. From the ranks this woman came, by the cannon won her fame; ’Tis true she could not write her name but Freedom’s hand hath carved it. Shall we then criticize her ways? Nay, rather give her well-earned praise, then doff our caps and voices raise in cheers for Molly Pircher..

Mary McKolly
McCauley
==========
Mary Hays
nee
Mary Ludwig

Born October 13, 1744
Died January 22, 1832

( Left Marker : )
Mary Ludwig (“Molly Pitcher”)
Daughter of John Ludwig
Born October 13, 1744 – Died January 22, 1832
Married John Hays 1769 – John Hays enlisted December 1, 1775 in Proctor’s First Pennsylvania Artillery – Re-enlisted January 1, 1777.
Sergeant John Hays was wounded at the Battle of Monmouth June 28, 1778.
Mary Ludwig Hays (“Molly Pitcher”) returned to Carlisle, Pa. with her wounded husband and after his death she married Sergeant George McKolly (or McCauley.)
She died January 22, 1832, and was buried with military honors.
The Pennsylvania Assembly 1821-1822 granted a pension to Molly McKolly (or McCauley) for services rendered.
This monument is erected by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania June 28, 1916.
Commissioners:
Roy L. Schuyler – Chairman Herman A. Miller – Vice Chairman
William S. Wacker – Treasurer William A. Rupp – Secretary
( Right Marker : )
Mary Ludwig Hays (“Molly Pitcher”) accompanied her husband during his service

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in the Continental Army and rendered valuable service in the capacity of an army nurse and by reason of her many acts of kindness became known throughout the army, from the oft-repeated expression “Here comes Molly and her pitcher,” as “Molly Pitcher.”
At the Battle of Monmouth, June 28, 1778, Sergeant John Hays was severely wounded and as he fell to the ground Molly sprang to the cannon he had been serving, which cannon had been ordered to the rear, but before the gun could be withdrawn she had taken her husband’s place and rendered such vallant service that General George Washington after the battle thanked her personally for her bravery and heroic action.

“Molly Pitcher” (Mary Hays)
O’er Monmouth’s field of carnage drear
with cooling drinks and words of cheer,
a woman passed who knew no fear,
the wife of Hays, the gunner.
With ramrod from her husband’s hand,
beside his gun she took her stand
and helped to wrest our well-loved land
from England’s tyrant king.
From the ranks this woman came,
by the cannon won her fame;
’Tis true she could not write her name
but Freedom’s hand hath carved it.
Shall we then criticize her ways?
Nay, rather give her well-earned praise,
then doff our caps and voices raise
in cheers for Molly Pircher.

Erected

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, March 16, 2015

2. Left Marker

1916 by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1833.

Location. 40° 11.851′ N, 77° 11.296′ W. Marker is in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. Marker can be reached from E South Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located in the Old Graveyard in Carlisle. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Carlisle PA 17013, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Brigadier General William Thompson (a few steps from this marker); Carlisle Old Graveyard Revolutionary War Soldiers (a few steps from this marker); Major General John Armstrong (1717-1795) (within shouting distance of this marker); Thompson's Rifle Battalion (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Graveyard (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Molly Pitcher (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Major André (about 700 feet away); Andre & Despard House (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carlisle.

Right Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, March 16, 2015

3. Right Marker

Molly Pitcher image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, March 16, 2015

4. Molly Pitcher

Molly Pitcher Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, March 16, 2015

5. Molly Pitcher Monument

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, March 16, 2015

6. Left Marker

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, March 16, 2015

7. Right Marker

Closeup of Molly Pitcher Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, March 16, 2015

8. Closeup of Molly Pitcher Statue

Molly at the Cannon image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, March 16, 2015

9. Molly at the Cannon

This is one of two bas relief plaques on the front of the monument.

Molly Tends to the Wounded image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, March 16, 2015

10. Molly Tends to the Wounded

This is another bas relief plaque on the front of the monument.

Penn Seal on rear of Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, March 16, 2015

11. Penn Seal on rear of Monument

Rear of the Molly Pitcher Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, March 16, 2015

12. Rear of the Molly Pitcher Monument

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 939 times since then and 150 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. submitted on March 16, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.