Manalapan Township in Monmouth County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Molly Pitcher

Americas First Heroine

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, December 13, 2008

1. Molly Pitcher Marker

Inscription. During the Revolutionary War, on June 28, 1778. A blistering hot day at the Battle of Monmouth. A woman who was with her husband, John Casper Hays, who served in the Pennsylvania Regiment carried water to the thirsty American soldiers who shouted “MOLLY, Molly Pitcher” when they needed water. Through heavy bombardment Molly carried the water to the parched soldiers during the artillery duel. Her husband was wounded and she immediately helped load and fire the cannon continuing the barrage against the British. Legend has it that General George Washington commended Molly Pitcher after the battle and commissioned her a sergeant on the battlefield. This seems to be substantiated by the fact that she was given an army pension and buried in her home town with full military honors in 1832. The home where she drew water is to your Northeast.

Robert N. Ferrell

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1820.

Location. 40° 16.38′ N, 74° 18.875′ W. Marker is in Manalapan Township, New Jersey, in Monmouth County. Marker is on Freehold Englishtown Road (County Route 522), on the left when traveling east. Marker is located on the Monmouth Battlefield. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Englishtown NJ 07726, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hold the Hedgerow! (approx. 0.3 miles away); The British Grenadiers (approx. 0.3 miles away); The British Rush the Hedgerow (approx. 0.3 miles away); Battle at the Parsonage (approx. half a mile away); Highlanders Decline Combat (approx. half a mile away); Perrine Hill Front Line (approx. half a mile away); The Great Cannonade (approx. half a mile away); An Inspiring Commander in Chief (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manalapan Township.

Regarding Molly Pitcher. Mary Ludwig Hays, Wife of William Hays, Gunner in Francis Proctor's 4th Artillery. It is important to note that on June 28, 1778, Molly's name was Mary Ludwig Hays.
As I am the only member of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR)with proven documentation that my great great great grandmother, Mary Ludwig Hays, never used the name McCauley until a decade after the Battle of Monmouth - Robert C. Goodyear

Also see . . .
1. Molly Pitcher: An American Heroine. (Submitted on December 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. The Battle of Monmouth. New Jersey during the Revolution. (Submitted on December 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Marker on Freehold Englishtown Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, December 13, 2008

2. Marker on Freehold Englishtown Road

Molly Pitcher's name was actually Mary Hays. She survived her husband, remarried and lived until 1832.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, December 13, 2008

3. Molly Pitcher Marker

Marker is on the Freehold Englishtown Road, which bisects the Monmouth Battlefield.

Molly Pitcher's Spring Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By R. C.

4. Molly Pitcher's Spring Marker

This stone marks a spot once considered a "possible" location where "Molly Pitcher" obtained water to quench the thirst of American cannoneers during the Battle of Monmouth. It is located near the intersection of Wemrock Road and Freehold-Englishtown Road (Coordinates: 40° 16.167′ N, 74° 18.267′ W).

Molly Pitcher Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 7, 2008

5. Molly Pitcher Plaque

The Battle of Monmouth Battle Monument in nearby Freehold, NJ contains a relief panel of Molly Pitcher assisting the cannon crew during the battle.

Molly Pitcher image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, June 29, 2013

6. Molly Pitcher

Molly Pitcher at the Monmouth Battlefield for the 235th anniversary of the battle.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, March 16, 2015

7. Molly Pitcher

This statue of Molly Pitcher is located at her grave in Carlisle, Pa.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,555 times since then and 82 times this year. Last updated on December 9, 2010, by Robert C. Goodyear of Warminster, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4. submitted on January 5, 2009, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. 5. submitted on December 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 6. submitted on June 29, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 7. submitted on March 16, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.