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Molly sprang to the cannon he had been serving, which cannon had been ordered to the rear, but before the gun could be withdrawn she had taken her husband's place and rendered such vallant service that General George Washington after the battle thanked her personally for her bravery and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.
Sarah Woods Parkinson.
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