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Landmark

Molly Pitcher Spring

Monmouth, NJFeatured Site

About This Place

Molly Pitcher Spring is a natural spring within Monmouth Battlefield State Park traditionally associated with the water source used by Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley — the historical Molly Pitcher — to carry water to soldiers and artillery crews during the battle. An interpretive marker identifies the site.

Revolutionary Significance

The spring is located near the area where American artillery was positioned during the engagement. According to tradition, Mary Hays carried water from this spring to the troops and cannon crews suffering in the extreme heat of June 28, 1778. While the specific identification of this spring as the one Molly Pitcher used cannot be definitively confirmed, natural springs in the battlefield area were certainly essential water sources during the battle, when heat exhaustion was a significant cause of casualties on both sides. The spring serves as a focal point for interpreting the role of women in the Continental Army and the Molly Pitcher legend. A monument near the spring commemorates the contributions of women during the battle.

Location

Within Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Manalapan, NJ 07726

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Events at This Location

  1. 1778

  2. 1778

    Valley Forge Training Tested at Monmouth

    Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton

  3. 1778

    British March from Philadelphia to New York

    Sir Henry Clinton, Charles Cornwallis

  4. 1778

  5. 1778

    Continental Army Departs Valley Forge

    Sir Henry Clinton, Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben

  6. 1778

    War Council at Hopewell

    George Washington, Charles Lee, Anthony Wayne

  7. 1778

    Lee Demands Advance Command

    Charles Lee, Marquis de Lafayette, George Washington

  8. 1778

  9. 1778

    Battle of Monmouth

    George Washington, Charles Lee, Sir Henry Clinton

  10. 1778

    Molly Pitcher at the Cannon

    Mary Ludwig Hays (Molly Pitcher)

  11. 1778

    Washington Confronts Lee on the Battlefield

    George Washington, Charles Lee, Marquis de Lafayette

  12. 1778

    Heat Casualties at Monmouth

    Mary Ludwig Hays (Molly Pitcher)

  13. 1778

    Lee's Retreat at Monmouth

    Marquis de Lafayette, Charles Lee, Anthony Wayne

  14. 1778

    Artillery Duel at Monmouth

    George Washington, Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben

  15. 1778

    British Grenadier Attacks Repulsed

    Charles Cornwallis, Anthony Wayne, Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben

  16. 1778

    Hamilton's Horse Shot at Monmouth

    Alexander Hamilton, George Washington

  17. 1778

    Washington Reforms the American Line

    George Washington, Anthony Wayne, Alexander Hamilton

  18. 1778

    British Night Withdrawal After Monmouth

    Sir Henry Clinton, Charles Cornwallis

  19. 1778

    Court-Martial of Charles Lee

    Charles Lee, George Washington, Anthony Wayne

  20. 1779

    Steuben's Blue Book Published

    Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben