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Story of Two Flags

A Story of Two Flags

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These flags, carried by the Second New Hampshire Continental Regiment, are the only known surviving stand, or set, of national and regimental flags from the Revolutionary War, but that is not the only remarkable thing about them. In fact they remained hidden for over a century and a half and crossed the Atlantic twice before they returned home to the Granite State.

The flags were sewn by Fanny Johonnot Williams, a milliner, and painted by decorative painter Daniel Rea Jr. in Boston in 1777. The blue regimental flag’s central design showcases the 2nd NH’s iconic motto, “the glory not the prey.” The buff flag was a national flag and bears an emblem of 13 interlocking rings, based on a design by Benjamin Franklin that was widely used in the early years of the war.

The flags were taken by the British Army as American forces retreated to Fort Anne, New York, in July 1777. The British commander brought them back to his home in England as a souvenir and they remained there in the possession of his descendants, nearly forgotten, until a researcher located and identified them in 1907. New Hampshire Governor Robert P. Bass solicited funds from the public to purchase the flags from their British owner, George Rogers, but the fundraising machinery moved too slowly and Rogers grew restless and started looking elsewhere for buyers. Finally, in 1912, New Hampshire native and philanthropist Edward Tuck, fearing that the flags would slip away and stay in private hands, purchased them for £200 and had them shipped home. The state of New Hampshire hoped that Tuck would allow the flags to be displayed at the State House, but instead he gave them to the New Hampshire Historical Society, believing the Society would be the better caretaker.

The flags have recently been conserved thanks to the generosity of the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia and the Society of the Cincinnati. They are currently on loan to the MAR as part of Banners of Liberty: An Exhibition of Original Revolutionary War Flags, which will run from April 19 to August 10, 2025.

John And Molly Stark

John And Molly Stark

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John and Molly Stark are New Hampshire’s most influential couple who served their country during the American Revolution. General John Stark (1728-1822) was New Hampshire’s Revolutionary War hero. Born in Londonderry, his family moved to Derryfield (now Manchester) when he was eight years old. As a young man, he served with ‘Roger’s Rangers’ during the French & Indian War.

At the outbreak of the American Revolution, Stark returned to military service for the Continental Army, and was appointed colonel of the 1st New Hampshire Regiment, which he led at the Battle of Bunker Hill. In 1776, Stark successfully commanded his men at the Battles of Trenton and Princeton.

In 1777, Stark feared a British threat coming from Canada and organized a militia force to defend New Hampshire and Vermont. After learning that British forces were approaching Bennington, Vermont for supplies, Stark mustered his men at Bennington. The battle began on August 13 and ended in an American victory. This victory was seen as a turning point in the war and as the precursor to the British defeat at Saratoga a few months later. Stark remained active throughout the rest of the Revolutionary War and resigned from duty on November 3rd, 1783 after the war officially ended. He died in 1822 at the age of 94 as the last surviving Revolutionary War general. General Stark fully embodied the words, “Live free or die; death is not the worst of evils.” The “Hero of Bennington” not only lived by these words, he wrote them 136 years before it became New Hampshire’s official state motto.

Elizabeth “Molly” (Page) Stark (1737-1814), although best known as the wife of John Stark, was a remarkable woman in her own right. Around 1752 the Page family relocated from Haverhill, Massachusetts to land owned by the Stark family in Dunbarton, NH. No stranger to firearms, Elizabeth reportedly brought down a bear shortly after the family moved to their new home. During their marriage, John Stark was frequently away at war, leaving Molly to raise their 11 living children, teaching them all to read and write, and run the family farm.

After the Revolutionary War began and John headed to Massachusetts, Molly frequently delivered clothes and food by horseback. Some reports say she was present at the Battle of Bunker Hill, helping to reload muskets. Molly served as a nurse and doctor to Hessian soldiers captured by her husband’s troops during a smallpox epidemic in August 1777. The sick men were sent to the Stark’s New Hampshire home, which served as a hospital. Molly Stark was the subject of a famous rallying cry uttered by her husband as a way to rally the troops at the Battle of Bennington on August 16, 1777: “There are the redcoats and they are ours, or this night Molly Stark sleeps a widow!”

Molly died in 1814 at the age of 77. John and Molly Stark are buried in the family plot at Stark Park on River Road in Manchester.

Volunteers Make a Difference on New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail

Castle in the Clouds Volunteers. Photo by Colleen Crowley

Volunteering is a fun and enriching experience on the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, which features nearly two dozen member institutions across the Granite State.

“It’s wonderful to welcome people as a greeter at the Folsom Tavern,” said Dawn Jelley, who volunteers at the American Independence Museum (AIM). “I’ve been volunteering for the past six years, and I love it.”

Home to 3,000 historic artifacts, including an original copy of the Dunlap Broadside (Declaration of Independence), AIM develops programs, events, and exhibits that engage people of all ages in the ongoing struggle for freedom and self-governance. “Without volunteers, AIM cannot engage anyone with this mission,” said Dr. Robert Levey, Interim Executive Director at AIM. “Volunteers like Dawn are invaluable.”

To learn more about the volunteer opportunities at AIM, visit independencemuseum.org or email volunteer@independencemuseum.org.

At Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough, Paula said she enjoys the human connection she experiences as a volunteer. “I know that I will meet at least one guest who makes me smile each day,” she said. “I encourage all who have the time and interest to volunteer at Castle in the Clouds.”

A 6,300-acre property built in 1913-1914, Castle in the Clouds welcomes visitors from across the world. To learn more about the volunteer opportunities at Castle in the Clouds, visit castleintheclouds.org or email volunteers@castleintheclouds.org.

According to Jeff Barraclough, Executive Director of the Millyard Museum in Manchester, volunteers are the “unsung heroes” of their operation. “We operate on tight margins, so the in-kind contributions by volunteers in the form of time and energy are priceless,” he said.

Operated by the Manchester Historic Association, the Millyard Museum features rotating exhibitions and the Discovery Gallery, which is a multi-purpose space used for school groups, family programs, lectures, temporary exhibits, and other activities. To learn more about the volunteer opportunities at the Millyard Museum, visit manchesterhistoric.org or email history@manchesterhistoric.org.

For Barraclough, however, the main takeaway is the impact volunteers have on the visitor experience across The Trail. “Volunteers make a huge difference in our respective abilities to educate and inspire people of all ages,” he said. “We are so grateful for volunteers.”

For Jelley, though, her personal takeaway is the fun she experiences as a volunteer, especially at AIM’s Folsom Tavern (1775). “It is wonderful to welcome people back to 1775 and to visit the tavern like they would have back when it opened its doors,” she said.

New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail Serves as Gateway to New Hampshire

For Jeff Barraclough, president of the New Hampshire Heritage Museum Trail, attracting out-of-state visitors is a big focus for member institutions. “Collectively, we welcome more than 200,000 visitors to museums on The Trail each year, more than half of whom are from out of state,” he explained. “Attracting tourists is a big part of our focus, because we recognize its impact on not just us, but nearby businesses.”

Formed in 2014 to share resources and better promote their programs, exhibits, and events, The Trail features more than 20 museums on the Seacoast and in Merrimack Valley and Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Aside from preserving the history and heritage of New Hampshire, individual museums on The Trail are “remarkably diverse” from one another.

“Some museums cater more to families, while others may be more suitable for adult visitors,” said Barraclough, who is also executive director of the Millyard Museum, located in Manchester. “All of us, however, work very intentionally to create high-quality programming and experiences that we believe enhance people’s overall quality of life.”

Emma Stratton, longtime executive director of the American Independence Museum (AIM) in Exeter, agreed with Barraclough and said the hope is that the 2022 season will see a return of visitation to pre-pandemic levels. “We are preparing for on-site visitation much like we did before the pandemic, while also continuing to develop online digital events and exhibits that can be accessed by anyone anywhere,” she said.

Founded in 1991, AIM preserves the Ladd-Gilman House (c. 1721) and Folsom Tavern (c. 1775). “When you tour our property, you will learn about the incredible history of these structures, the families that have lived in them, and the important role each has played in New Hampshire history,” added Stratton.

Regarding The Millyard, Barraclough said their permanent exhibit, Woven in Time: 11,000 Years at Amoskeag Falls, is a main area of interest for visitors. “The exhibit tells the story of Manchester and the people who have lived and worked here,” he said. “This story starts with the native peoples who fished at Amoskeag Falls 11,000 years ago and takes people through Manchester’s early farming and logging roots and into the beginnings of industry.”

Regarding her expectations for the 2022 season for AIM and all member institutions, Stratton said, “Welcome back.”

Member institutions on The Trail are located in Canterbury, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Laconia, Manchester, Moultonborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Tamworth, and Wolfeboro.

NH Heritage Museum Trail’s Millyard Museum hosts Millyard Walking Tour With John Clayton

On Saturday, November 7, the Millyard Museum in Manchester will host Millyard Walking Tour with John Clayton, which will take participants through the Amoskeag Millyard. “The Amoskeag Millyard is a mile of brick mill buildings that housed the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, a behemoth of American industry from 1831-1936,” explained John Clayton, executive director of Millyard Museum and Manchester Historic Association. 

The tour will provide unique insight into Manchester itself.  “To understand Manchester, you need to understand the history of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company,” he said. “For more than a century, Amoskeag was the largest textile operation in the world and shaped life in Manchester. Despite the passage of time, it still touches us in ways that people are amazed to discover.” 

Preregistration is required for the 90-minute tours (10 a.m. or 1 p.m.), which will be limited to 30 guests (masks required) due to COVID-19. Tickets are $10 for MHA members and $15 for the general public. To learn more, or purchase tickets, visit manchesterhistoric.org.

The Millyard Museum is one of more than 15 members of the NH Heritage Museum Trail, which was formed in 2014 as a way to share resources and better promote their respective collections, programs and events. Member institutions are located in Canterbury, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Laconia, Manchester, Moultonborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Tamworth and Wolfeboro.