By the spring of 1778, Mary Hays had a second name — and soon the whole army would be shouting it. “Molly” was simply the everyday nickname for Mary in those days; the second half of her name came from what was always in her hands: a pitcher.

This lesson explains how a camp follower with a water pitcher became “Molly Pitcher” — carrying water to thirsty soldiers, and to the steaming cannons that needed cooling between shots. It is a short lesson with a big idea: sometimes a hero’s weapon is a pitcher of water.

Lesson 1F of the Molly Pitcher Life Story series from Capite Universe — history brought to life for kids ages 6–14, and for families and classrooms who love learning through story.