Flag
- Object Name:
- Flag
- Object ID:
- 1913.002.02
- Creator:
- Williams, Fanny (1753-1796) -- Milliner; Rea, Daniel Jr. (1743-1803) -- Artist
- Place of Origin:
- Boston, MA
- Date:
- 1777
- 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. Flag made from two widths of fine shantung-type blue silk, seam across middle, done by hand, gold fringe. Silk applique Union Jack in upper right corner, consists of and upright cross of red bordered with gold and a diagonal cross of gold bordered with red. Painted central cartouche, red shield with gold scrolls on either side and over it. "N. H. / 2D / REG" in gold in center of cartouche. "THE GLORY NOT THE PREY." inside scroll. Flag is currently framed; mahogany frame with acrylic glazing. Flag is sewn to a cotton canvas backing mounted on a wooden stretcher.
- Material:
- Textile
Silk - Dimensions:
- W-60 L-65.5 inches
- 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. - Credit Line:
- Gift of Edward Tuck
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