Just in time for Women’s History Month, Monmouth County Historical Association will present as part of its Historically Speaking lecture series, “Molly Pitcher and the Women of the Army,” a lecture by Dr. David Martin on Wednesday, March 25th, at the Monmouth Battlefield State Park, 16 Business Route 33, Manalapan, at 7:00pm. The Monmouth Battlefield State Park was the location of one of the largest battles of the Revolutionary War. The fields and forests of this park are restored and the Visitor Center will be hosting the event.
The lecture will look at the story of Molly Pitcher in the broader context of the contributions made by women in the Revolution: as warriors and spies, but more so as a vital part of armies in the field. He will summarize current research on “women of the army,” drawing particularly from the 1996 book, Belonging to the Army, by Holly Mayer, and from recent research by historian John Rees. He will then look at the story of Molly Pitcher (of Monmouth battlefield fame), specifically its historical background and subsequent growth into legend.
Dr. David Martin is the author of more than 25 books on the American Civil War and American revolution. He has also written numerous magazine articles and has designed several war games on these topics. He is the past president of the New Jersey Department, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, and is the current President of the Friends of Monmouth Battlefield, where he gives frequent lectures and tours. His 2003 book on Molly Pitcher, A Molly Pitcher Sourcebook, is one of the few full length scholarly studies of the subject. He is editor of Longstreet House Publishers and is a teacher and administrator at the Peddie School in Highstown.
The event is free and refreshments will be served.
For more information on the Monmouth County Historical Society and the Molly Pitcher event, click here.
From: H-Net