Bennington Flag

 

Vintage American Bennington Flag, ‘Spirit of 76’
Thirteen Star American flag commonly referred to as the Bennington Flag associated with the American Revolution Battle of Bennington from which it derives its title. The distinctive ‘76’ printed on the canton is emblematic of the year 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed.
Most pre-Constitutional flags are associated with urban legends and the Bennington Flag is no exception. Legend has it that Nathaniel Fillmore, Sr.- the grandfather of Millard Fillmore, the last of the Whigs, retrieved the flag from the field at the Battle of Bennington and entered the Fillmore family’s possessions; it was once owned by President Millard Fillmore himself and later passed down through the Fillmore family to Philetus P. Fillmore who is said to have flown the flag in 1877 to commemorate the Battle of Bennington; and finally the flag was donated to the Bennington Museum by Maude Fillmore Wilson. The actual date of construction and use of the Fillmore flag at the Battle of Bennington is widely debated. The 18th Century Green Mountain Boys flag is accepted by many as the regimental banner to have been at the event, however the Fillmore flag has become more associated with the Battle. Both flags- Green Mountain Boys flag and the Fillmore flag are held in a collection at the Bennington Museum.
Flag size:
7 ¾” x 12”

Frame size:
13 ½” x 16 ½”

Description/Condition
Flag is cotton; 13 stars with seven points printed in an arch over a large numerical ‘76’ and one star printed in the top left and right quadrants on an elongated blue canton; 13 red and white stripes symbolic of the 13 original colonies- beginning and ending with a white stripe. Very good condition; slight staining throughout mainly on the bottom left side, mid-bottom right side and #2 star left side; two ¼” vertical fabric separation top left and bottom left where the staff had been attached

Email: jtfrancis.com@gmail.com

Item: 58-777-303