Mary Ludwig Hays (October 13, 1754 – January 22, 1832) was a woman who fought in the American War of Independence at the Battle of Monmouth.

She was one of a group of women, led by Martha Washington, who would wash clothes and blankets, and care for sick and dying soldiers.

[4][unreliable source] In early 1778, the Continental Army trained under Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben.

Also, artillerymen needed a supply of water to soak the sponge used to clean sparks and gunpowder out of the barrel after each shot.

While in the act of reaching a cartridge and having one of her feet as far before the other as she could step, a cannon shot from the enemy passed directly between her legs without doing any other damage than carrying away all the lower part of her petticoat.

She earned her living as a general servant for hire, cleaning and painting houses, washing windows and caring for children and sick people.

"Sergeant Molly," as she was known, was often seen in the streets of Carlisle wearing a striped skirt, wool stockings, and a ruffled cap.

Biographical information about Mary Hays has been gathered by historians,[11] including her cultural heritage, given name, probable year of birth, marriages, progeny, and census and tax records, providing a reasonably reliable account of her life.

Historian Emily Teipe notes that the deeds in the story of Molly Pitcher are generally attributed to Mary Ludwig Hays.

[12] However, she has also pointed out 'The historical record presents other candidates too numerous to mention' and contends that 'the name Molly Pitcher is a collective generic term', serving as a common label for the 'hundreds, perhaps thousands, of women (who) served not only as ammunition wives, manning and firing the guns, but also in the army and colonial militia'.

[12] Mary Ludwig Hays is commemorated, and named as Molly Pitcher, on the Monmouth Battle Monument in Freehold, New Jersey, and on her grave in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

A rest stop or "service area" on the New Jersey Turnpike, in the town of Cranbury, NJ is named for Molly Pitcher.

A mural depicting Mary in battle was painted in the Freehold post office as a WPA project.