Margaret (Cochran) Corbin (1751 - abt. 1800)

Biography

This is absolutely a profile in the making.

Margaret "Molly" Cochran Corbin was an American heroine who was probably the first woman wounded in action while fighting as a soldier in the American Revolution. ^[1] She was born in what is now Franklin County, Pennsylvania in 1751 to Robert Cochran. ^[1] The Texas State DAR Captain Molly Corbin chapter states in her biography that Molly's father was named Robert. ^[2] Wikipedia states her mother was Sarah but this is not substantiated. ^[3]

Molly was said to have been orphaned when she was about 5 when her parents were taken during an Indian raid. Her father was killed during the raid and her mother was never seen nor heard from again. This left Molly and her brother John orphaned at a very young age. ^[1] Wikipedia states that she was raised by a maternal uncle after that. ^[1]

In 1772 Molly married John Corbin, a farmer who hailed from Virginia. ^[1] John enlisted with the First Artillery of Pennsylvania which was soon turned over to the Continental army. ^[1] Molly followed her husband and his unit as he fought during the Revolutionary War, performing such service as cooking, cleaning and tending to sick and injured soldiers. On 16 November 1776 her husband's unit was at Fort Washington in New York when British troops attacked. ^[1] Her husband, John Corbin, was manning the cannons along with another man. Both were killed during the battle. ^[1] Despite her grief, Molly insisted that she be allowed to fire her husband's gun, stating, "I know all about it, Jack has shown me." ^[1] She continued firing for several hours until she, herself was injured her in the shoulder, leaving her without the use of her left arm. ^[1] This injury proved to be a permanent disability. ^[1]

The battle of Fort Washington was lost to the British. However, Molly's great heroism earned her the tremendous honor of being the first woman in the American Revolutionary War to receive a pension for her heroic deeds and she had earned the respect of every man in her husband's unit. ^[1] She was also the first woman believed to have been injured while fighting in war. ^[1]

Due to Molly's injuries she was sent to the Invalid Regiment at West Point, New York. After the War ended the War Department engaged in a series of dialogues aimed at compensating Molly for her heroic actions. It was eventually decided by the Continental Congress "That Margaret Corbin, who was wounded and disabled in the attack on Fort Washington, whilst she heroically filled the post of her husband, who was killed by her side serving a piece of artillery, do receive, during her natural life, or the continuance of the said disability, the one-half of the monthly pay drawn by a soldier in the service of these states; and that she now receive out of the public stores, one complete suit of cloaths, or, the value thereof in money." ^[1] She stayed nearly two years with the invalid Regiment at West Point. ^[1] The government paid for her food and lodging from 1785 until her death in 1800. ^[1] There is a monument at Fort Tryon inscribed with the message:

Margaret Corbin - The first American woman to take a soldier's part in the War for Liberty.

Molly Cochran Corbin was a true heroine.

Burial: United States Military Academy Post Cemetery, West Point, Orange County, New York, USA. Plot: Section 11, Row A, Grave 01.^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15} The Great Women of the American Revolution, Washington, D C,: National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, 1975.
2. ↑ Captain Molly Corbin Chapter of the Texas DAR.
3. ↑ Wikipedia.
4. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/231/margaret-corbin : accessed 26 October 2021), memorial page for Margaret Cochran Corbin (12 Nov 1751–16 Jan 1800), Find A Grave: Memorial #231, citing United States Military Academy Post Cemetery, West Point, Orange County, New York, USA ; Maintained by Find a Grave.

   Plot: section11, row A, grave1.

   Has a photo posted 2011 by Janet Greentree. Inscription: in memory of, Margaret Corbin... (the rest is too hard to read)

   • Note: Originally buried in Highlands, re-interred here 1926 Apr 14.

• * De Pauw, Linda Grant, Four Traditions: Women of New York during the American Revolution, Published by the New York State American Revolution BiCentennial commission, 1974 (booklet), p. 19-21 https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED111732

• West Point Cemetery Brochure

• Sons of the American Revolution Patriot #P-138864

• Captain Molly Corbin Chapter of the Texas DAR.

• Who is Margaret Cochran Corbin?.

There are several transcripts regarding Molly Corbin and her care. They include but are not limited to the following:

Enclosed is an account of Mrs Elizabeth Simms for taking care of Capt Molly twelve weeks, as the Bearer will return you and forward the money by him - I am at a loss what to do with Capt Molly. She is first an offensive person that people are unwilling to take her in charge, this woman informs me that she cannot keep her longer than the first of March, and I cannot any that is willing to keep her for that money and find her every thing to eat and drink - if you should think proper to extend one or two rations to her and will be better than money and may induce some person to keep her. 31 Jany 1786 William Price to Henry Knox War Department Document; Letterbook No. 1, West Point 1784-1786.https://wardepartmentpapers.org/s/home/item/37682

The other fourteen pounds 8/ is for taking Care of Capt. Molly twenty four weeks-- Twelve of which was from October 26th, 1785 to January 18th 1786 Inclusive -- The Other twelve is from July 6 to September 27 1786 Inclusive as the Receipts will show -- all the above Receipts as duplicates -- 1787 William Price to Henry Knox War Department Document; Letterbook No. 2, West Point 1786-1790; Document 1787081340055

Also included is an account for the maintenance of Captain Molly for forty-eight weeks, to be presented by Mrs. Randal who is currently taking care of her. 1788 William Price to Henry Knox War Department Document; Letterbook No. 2, West Point 1786-1790; 1788060440055