This
question from the ‘50s game show, “To Tell the Truth,” might
come to mind when John Fabiano, Executive Director of the Monmouth
County Historical Commission presents his research on the woman
known as the heroine of the Battle of Monmouth. Did she really throw
down her water pitcher and start loading the cannon when her husband
collapsed at his post? Was she nearly hit by a cannonball? Did
General George Washington make her a non-commissioned officer in the
army? What is her real name?
John
offers his take on these and other questions when he speaks to the
Township of Ocean Historical Museum audience, 7:15 p.m., Tues., Oct.
24, at the Ocean Township Board of Education Building at 163 Monmouth
Road, Oakhurst.
John
developed a keen interest in the truth behind the legend when, as a
member of the Allentown and Upper Freehold Historical Society, he
worked on a project to preserve open space in the area. As the budget
chief for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection with
a degree in Economics, John was well versed in issues related to land
use. But as he poured over local archives to develop a rationale for
the land preservation, he had a sense that his research was also
revealing a “who’s who” in local Revolutionary War history—and
fueling a growing personal fascination with the legend of Molly
Pitcher.
John’s
research helped the Historical Society preserve a greenbelt in
Allentown that is now known as Heritage Park. As an added perk, his
passion for history found him returning to college for a Masters
Degree in Public History. Molly Pitcher was his prime motivator.
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