Margaret Corbin

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Margaret Corbin (November 12, 1751 – January 16, 1800) was a woman who fought in the American Revolutionary War. On November 16, 1776 she and her husband, John Corbin, both from Philadelphia, along with some 600 American soldiers, were defending Fort Washington in northern Manhattan from 4,000 attacking Hessian troops under British command. John and Margaret crewed one of two cannons the defenders possessed. After her husband was killed, Margaret took over and was badly wounded herself.

A tablet commemorating her heroism was erected in 1909 in Fort Tryon Park, near the scene of the battle, and the entrance to the park is named Margaret Corbin Circle in her honor. A large art-deco mural depicting the battle scene decorates the lobby of nearby 720 Fort Washington Avenue. She lies buried in West Point Cemetery.

Her actions in the battle probably contributed to the "Molly Pitcher" legend.