03/21/2026
March is , a perfect time to honor women who shaped our nation’s story, specifically one of New Jersey’s most legendary figures, Mary Hays, better known by Molly Pitcher.
In 1777, Mary and her husband, William Hays, joined Captain Francis Proctor’s Artillery Company with the Continental Army. In June 1778, Mary traveled with the army from Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, to New Jersey, where she helped the troops in a variety of ways during the campaign that led to the Battle of Monmouth on June 28. As a “woman of the army,” when she wasn’t helping her husband and his gun crew during a battle, she also played an important role in supporting the army by carrying out essential camp duties like laundry, cooking and nursing.
During the Battle of Monmouth in 1778, present-day Monmouth County, New Jersey, Mary carried water that helped thirsty soldiers and to cool the cannons in the intense summer heat.
Mary’s bravery and strength became a symbol of courage and resilience during the American Revolution. Today, Monmouth Battlefield State Park preserves the ground where this crucial battle took place, helping visitors connect with the powerful legacy of women who contributed to the fight for independence.
