Molly Pitcher
“Molly Pitcher” - Mary Ludwig Hays
Molly Pitcher: Icon of Courage
Mary Ludwig Hays was a true war hero. She valiantly strove beyond her traditional role of cleaning the soldiers’ campsite and carrying pitchers of cold water to cool both men and canon during the Battle of Monmouth. When she witnessed her husband wounded too severely to fulfill his post at a cannon, Mary took his place, standing with the artillerymen throughout the rest of the fight. George Washington personally commended Mary for her competence and valor, awarding her an honorary rank of Sergeant.
circa October 13, 1754 - January 22, 1832
“While in the act of reaching for a cartridge, a cannon shot from the enemy passed directly between her legs without doing any other damage than carrying away the lower part of her petticoat. Looking at it with apparent unconcern, she observed that it was lucky it did not pass a little higher, for in that case it might have carried away something else.” - Joseph Plumb Martin, eyewitness to Molly Pitcher’s heroism at the Battle of Monmouth.
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rememberingtheladies.com
Others developed upon request
The story of Mary Ludwig Hays appeals to me because of the bravery and fortitude she showed on the battlefield and in her life.
Molly Pitcher Program Categories:
Meet & Greets, Chautauqua*
Photo by Karla Korn
Costume by Kim Hanley
A note on the “Chautauqua” style of presentation
This format is essential to any responsible presentation of Mary Hays for an adult audience, because so little is actually known about “Molly Pitcher”. Chautauqua style presentations add a third element to the standard in-character monologue & Q&A format. After the in-character presentation, Kim speaks directly to the audience, as the scholar behind the interpretation. Kim is able to keep the character presentation somewhat brief, and therefore within the bounds of what the records can support. Then she reveals to the audience some of the processes involved in her research and preparation. Kim then takes questions from the audience regarding her reading, thought, and approach. This format is available as an option for all of “The Ladies”. In the case of the Molly Pitcher programming for adults, it is an established part of the format. The audience-participation and curriculum-based elements of the Molly Pitcher student programming enable an in-character presentation to work within the historical facts. Therefore Kim does not require the Chautauqua technique for schools.
