16 Facts About Margaret Corbin

Margaret Cochran Corbin was a woman who fought in the American Revolutionary War.

Margaret Corbin was too nervous to let her husband go into battle alone, so she decided she wanted to go with him.

John Corbin was on the crew of one of two cannons the defenders deployed; when he fell in action, Margaret Corbin took his place and continued to work the cannon until she too was seriously wounded.

Margaret Corbin later became the first woman in US history to receive a pension from Congress for military service when she could no longer work due to injury, and was enlisted into the Corps of Invalids.

Margaret Corbin's parents were Robert Cochran, an Irish immigrant and his wife, Sarah.

In 1756, when Margaret Corbin was five years old, her parents were attacked by Native Americans.

Margaret Corbin lived with her uncle for the rest of her childhood.

In 1772, at the age of 21, Margaret married a Virginia farmer named John Corbin.

Margaret Corbin joined many other wives in cooking, washing, and caring for the wounded soldiers.

Margaret Corbin acquired the nickname "Molly Pitcher" by bringing water during fighting, both for thirsty soldiers and to cool overheated cannons.

John Margaret Corbin was in charge of firing a small cannon at the top of a ridge, today known as Bennett Park.

Margaret Corbin had been with her husband on the battlefield the entire time, and, after witnessing his death, she immediately took his place at the cannon, continuing to fire until her arm, chest, and jaw were hit by enemy fire.

Margaret Corbin was enrolled in the Corps of Invalids, created by Congress for wounded soldiers.

Margaret Corbin was discharged from the Continental Army in 1783.

Margaret Corbin received financial support from the government after the war, the first woman to do so.

The Margaret Corbin Monument was erected by the DAR at the gravesite.