McCauley, Mary Ludwig Hays (1754–1832)
McCauley, Mary Ludwig Hays (1754–1832)
American revolutionary. Name variations: Molly Pitcher; Mary Hays; McAuley, M'Kolly, or McKolly. Born Mary Ludwig, Oct 13, 1754, near Trenton, New Jersey; died in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Jan 22, 1832; dau. of John George Ludwig; illiterate, signed her name with an "X"; m. William Hays, probably on July 24, 1769 (died 1788); m. John McCauley, 1793 (died 1813); children (1st m.) John Ludwig Hays.
Worked as domestic servant for the family of Dr. William Irvine, Carlisle, Pennsylvania (1769–77); joined husband's military unit as "camp follower" (1778); learned how to load and fire from observing husband during gunnery drills; at battle of Monmouth, in the heat of the conflict, took over husband's place as cannoneer when he was disabled (June 28, 1778); awarded army pension for life from state of Pennsylvania (1822); worked at odd jobs and as a domestic in Carlisle until her death (1832); not to be confused with Margaret Cochran Corbin.
See also Samuel S. Smith, A Molly Pitcher Chronology (Philip Freneau Press, 1972); John B. Landis, A Short History of Molly Pitcher: The Heroine of the Battle of Monmouth (Cornman, 1905); and Women in World History.