Flag

Object Name:

Flag

Creator:

Williams, Fanny (1753-1796) -- Milliner; Rea, Daniel Jr. (1743-1803) -- Artist

Date:

1777

Material:

Textile
Silk

Dimensions:

W-60 L-68 inches

Description:

Flag. One of two Revolutionary War flags of the 2nd N.H. Regiment Continental Army captured by the British at Fort Anne, New York July 8, 1777. (Ninth Regiment of Foot of Burgoyne's Army). Flag made from two widths of fine shantung-type silk, seam across middle, done by hand, natural buff or yellow color. "Union Jack" silk applique in upper right corner, consists of eight triangles, alternately red and pale blue, which form an upright and a diagonal cross. Sunburst with thirteen rays, "WE ARE ONE." painted in center. Thirteen entwined circles painted gold surround the sunburst. Each circle has the name of a colony painted in black. Flag is currently framed; mahogany frame with acrylic glazing. Flag is sewn to a cotton canvas backing mounted on a wooden stretcher.

Provenance:

Two 2nd New Hampshire Regiment flags were captured by the 9th Regiment of Foot, British Army commanded by Lt. Col. John Hill (1727-1796) at Fort Anne, New York on July 8, 1777. Hill took the flags back to his home at Helston, Cornwall, England. The flags were located in England and identified by Gherardi Davis (1858-1941) in 1907 while conducting research for his book, Regimental Colors in the War of the Revolution. Davis contacted the New Hampshire Historical Society about their history and potential purchase. New Hampshire Governor Robert P. Bass (1873-1960) mounted an unsuccessful subscription campaign for their purchase. In 1912 Edward Tuck (1842-1938) purchased the flags from Col. George W. N. Rogers (1847-1921), the grandson of Pearce Rogers (1771-1825) whose first wife Jane Hill (1785-1805), was the daughter and heir of Col. John Hill. Tuck presented the flags to the NHHS in 1913.

As documented by a voucher submitted to the New Hampshire Committee of Safety in 1777, the flags were sewn by Fanny Johonnot Williams (1753-1796), a Boston milliner, and painted by Daniel Rea Jr. (1743-1803), a decorative painter in Boston.

People:

Hill, John (1727-1796), Rogers, George W. N. (1847-1921), Davis, Gherardi (1858-1941), Bass, Robert P. (1873-1960), Tuck, Edward (1842-1938)

Place of Origin:

Boston, MA

Collection Name:

Inventory

Item Number:

1913.002.01

Accession Number:

1913.002

Type of Material:

Objects

Copyright Statement:

For information regarding copyright, permissions, and reproductions contact the New Hampshire Historical Society

Credit Line:

Gift of Edward Tuck

Participating Organization:

New Hampshire Historical Society