I have a title!

Photo courtesy of the Pennsylvania State Archives

You may recall I've been volunteering with the Pennsylvania State Archives since May and this summer had the opportunity to learn how to dry clean (meaning using a dry method rather than a liquid method), deacidify, and encapsulate 1865 Civil War Muster Out Rolls. It was a highlight of my summer. 

A couple months ago the archives received a grant to finish preparing the Civil War Muster Out Rolls by sending them to the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts in Philadelphia.  With that, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I luckily was asked to assist the process.  Due to my experience this summer, I was asked to help get the last few documents in-house cleaned for the mender and to spend time each week deacidifying and encapsulating the documents returned from Philly. 

I am thrilled and today signed the paperwork to be paid.  :-)  And I now I have an official title - Conservationist Assistant.  My very first title in my new field!  I'm very excited!  I start Tuesday.

Molly Pitcher

Do you remember Molly Pitcher?  Molly is the courageous Revolutionary War wife who, when her husband is injured in battle takes up his place at the cannon at the Battle of Monmouth.  She had joined her husband at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777-1778 as he trained as an artillery man under Baron von Steuben. While the men trained, the woman supported them by cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry.  During their training, Molly would often bring water to the cry of Molly! Pitcher!

During the Battle of Monmouth in June 1778, the day was a hot one.  It is said the temperatures reached over 100 degrees.  Imagine being outside on a 100 degree day wearing wool next to a smoking cannon.  Some stories claim Molly's husband was killed in battle, but records indicate he survived.  As her husband was taken off the field, she took his place at the cannon and stayed there until night fall when the battle fell silent.

When I was in school, I remember hearing this story and finding it really cool.  I mean, come on!  We all know that women rarely did anything noteworthy (rolls eyes) and this was the first time I remember reading and learning about a woman doing something remarkable.  Then, we were told it was probably not true.  That it was a story, but there was no documentation to confirm it.

Well ladies and gentlemen, I know it's been proven.  I know that Molly Pitcher (or Mary Ludwig/Mary Hayes/Mary McCauley/Mary McKolly) really did exist.  She grew up in New Jersey, but moved to Carlisle, PA when she was about 15 years old.  She met her husband William Hayes after moving to PA and she followed him to General Washington's camp at Valley Forge during the Revolutionary War.  And for her service during the Revolutionary War, she received a pension of $40 dollars, of which she would receive two yearly installments of $20.00 each.  How do I know this?  Because today, at the Pennsylvania State Archives, I held the pension Act that granted her that pension.  It was amazing to be holding a document that old and a document that proves Molly Pitcher truly existed.

And I'm a few days early, but next Thursday is Molly's birthday.  She would be 267 years old.  Happy Birthday Molly!

What did you do at work today?  ;-)