The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-06-05
CAPT. MOLLY VS.. CAPT. MOLLY.
There Seem to Have Been Tive or Her, and
One Lived Near west Point.

One Lived Near West Point.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: l am
willing to admit that there may be some ground
for the surmise of MIR. Edward s. Ellis, that
there were two Molly Pitchers, the first the
true one, the second a camp follower, perhaps.
who sought to, and did in a measure. divide the
fame that properly attached to the real person.
In my contention as 70 the burial place of
Molly Pitcher, I seek to deal with such facts re-
gNrding that historic parsonage as have come
under my observation and that support my
theory. leaving the inference to be derived from
the same entirely to the reader.
A woman by the name Of Molly Pitcher. widow
Of an artilleryman who served az such with the
American Army during tho Revolution. and
finally lost his life at the battle Of Monmouth,
lived for many years at a little hamlet then
known as Swimtown, died there, and was buried
In the private cemetery OF David Faurot, a sur
geon Of repute, who himself had served In tho
Revolutionary army. Swimtown in process of
time became ButtOrmilk Falls. and is now
known as Highland Falls.
The local fame of this female rested upon two
incidents Of like character. both relating to the
war, and in turn referring to her having taken
charge Of n gun while a fight was in progress.
The frat action in which she was believed to
have participated was that generally known az
the battle at Forts Clinton and Montgomery.
The other was the affair at Monmouth. Her
story of the introduction to Washington by Gen.
Greene the day after the last named battle and
the receipt Of a commission as Sergeant from
the hands Of the Commander In Chief himself
was not doubted. as In later years by the recon.
mendRtion Of Washington her name was placed
upon the list Of half-pay offioeTe to remain for
lie. Just here 10 the proper place to observe
mature years living in the vicinity OF the two
forts to which reference has been made. as also
but I've mil0n remOyed from the fOFfiA IN ffopa
during the revolutionary period. was enrolled
IN !! tho ranks Of : hSme guard. then known az
to a call for the defence Of the forts. fought gal.
iantly., and such of their, number as returned
ualiy distinguished herself.
very aged al but {! snsire!y reliabiiS SeSse Sf living fnFi IN
TIE Vicinity Of Highland Falls who had known
fM an.Tal p'FFs From tSe iipS Of T tsS.e present psrsons # I ba aSs
repeatedly heard the story of the life Of Sergeant
M .oni: IA SIC. sG3r 70 81 or more more e, Of equally reliable
sonel knowledge Of this famous person, and
dents relative TO her pecuiiarities. witty say
inge; and odd attire.
not able to state, but since the commandant of
that post was directed by q special order to
come for her t is probable that 4 vas inms-
she boarded here and there in swimtown until
~ ipNSt onO oSSNiIio u hTu WIN u
Mrs, Swim. who then lived near by, two miles
south Of the town last named. whose house stood
Alfred Peill.' ESQ. Wills living viii MIS-. swim m
she seems TO have received. in addition to her
pension, pore or less aid from the Commii:s9ry
Fleming, who had been a Captain of artillery
aaqET ig The war, Gen; B9Synton states IN his
plies directly from the then Secretary OF War,
bur he gives no authority for his statement.
and a motherly care is somewhat in evidence
from the following excerpts from his letters TO
Gen. Knox, which are still in existence. The
4 17ss: one Is dated West Point 9TH of October
SIR: I have sent another account of Mrs. Swim for
Der. snl have removed her to another place. as I
thought she was not so well treated as she might DO,
WEST PorSr. July 8, 1872.
tenance Of CAPT aoI'y in favor Of Y T.nS me1n.
. As Molly IL such a disaRrF abs object to take
care OF. I promised to pay them every quarter, " "
SIN, I am Informed by the woman that takes care
Ia1ip1 pF SSs'' i. sss ori SsS t Il In %eq foG Of / fS Snsii be If el KSr
WEST POINT. June lie, 1887.
should he mad for Cap, n !ly are done. I should he
want OF them. . =
Col. ;Iames Duncan Of tho regular army. after
ward lnspsctorGenernl md . noted mar, every
there during tho earlier portion OF his life, lie
lated to tho person upon whose farm Molly
foundt a nnal resting place. and had frequent
GR1 Reo%ioaasy Of 70 t fb%is'' Mom STsFEE npS sr1on o wh 2s eH1
Pitcher. also every seeming, fact that passed
ff ime ot n GiSn "DtimeIv h Seot 81 t h ist tlps e. E. 1 A. the the
gagged in pertectingp plans for tho erection OF an
imposing monument over her remains,
q whom have written Vas not ths real MoiiS
AS. CLARK.