Washington, Molly Pitcher help celebrate county's birth FREEHOLD - Monmouth County kicked off its 325th birthday celebration on March 13 with two very special guest appearances: Gen. George Washington and Molly Pitcher. The county's actual birthday was March 7, 1683, when an Act of the Provincial General Assembly divided the Province of East Jersey into four counties: Bergen, Essex,Middlesex andMonmouth. While this event happened long before the RevolutionaryWar,Washington andMolly Pitcher are regarded as two of the most prominent figures to have ever visited Monmouth County, according to a press release from the county. Washington led the fight against a caravan of some 10,000 British soldiers on June 28, 1778, in Monmouth County. The Battle of Monmouth served as a turning point in the war because it proved to the Americans that they could stand up to the British soldiers and prevail.Molly Pitcher, whose real name was Mary Hays McCauly, supplied soldiers with water from a nearby spring and is said to have taken her husband's place at a cannon when he was wounded in the battle. "Monmouth County has a rich and proud history, before, during and after the birth of this great nation," Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry said. "But the most thrilling time had to be during the Revolutionary War when so many skirmishes happened on our soil. Since then, Monmouth County's sons and daughters have continued the neverending fight to preserve freedom." To commemorate the county's 325th anniversary, a number of events have been planned throughout the year, including a historic driving tour of Monmouth County. During her performances, Molly Pitcher, played by Kim Hanley of the American Historical Theatre, Philadelphia, recounted that June 28, 1778, was a very hot day and she was bringing water from a well to the soldiers. On one of her return trips she saw that her husband lay wounded and was unable to man the cannon. "If you've seen a cannon loaded once, you've seen it loaded a hundred times, so rather than leave a hole in the line, I took my husband's spot at the cannon," she said. "And we not only held the line that day - we pushed the British right off the field." "Almost off the field, as it was getting dark, but we did win the day," added George Washington, played by John Lopes, also of the American Historical Theatre. Washington said he had sent Gen. Charles Lee ahead with 6,000 troops to attack the British as they made their way to New York. Soon after the battle was engaged, Lee had apparently ordered his men to retreat, a sight that surprised Washington when he arrived with reinforcements. Washington relieved Lee of his command and regrouped the Continental Army with the help of Brig. Gen. Anthony Wayne and Maj. Gen. Marquis de Lafayette. By the end of the day the Americans, having been trained the previous winter at Valley Forge by Prussian army officer Friedrich Wilhelm Steuben, pushed the British soldiers nearly off the field. Under the cover of darkness, the British fled from the field of battle, which was along present day Route 522 between Freehold Borough and Englishtown. "I was very unfamiliar with the terrain," Washington said. "Had it not been for the good people of Monmouth, things could have turned out very differently that day." The March 13 celebration took place during a scheduled workshop meeting of theMonmouth County Board of Freeholders. The meeting was called to order by James Gray, clerk to the board, who was dressed in Colonial garb. "TheBattle ofMonmouthwas fought just up the road," FreeholderWilliamC.Barham said. "I encourage everyone to make a point of visiting the site because it really takes your breath away to stand on ground where Americanmilitia fought and died so that we can live free from tyranny." "That is why historic preservation is so important," Freeholder Barbara J. McMorrow said. "Monmouth County not only has a rich history, it has a has a rich tradition of preserving that history - from Historic Walnford in Upper Freehold to the Covenhoven House right here onMain Street in Freehold. It is truly remarkable when you think of all the history Monmouth County has to offer."