Come See the Forster Flag

To the Editor,

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War, a replica of the Forster Flag is flying on the Manchester Town Hall flagpole for Independence Day week (July 1 to July 6). The Forster Flag is the oldest known American flag, with 13 stripes for the 13 colonies, and is linked to the Manchester militia in 1775.
The flag traces back to the ownership of Samuel Forster, Manchester merchant and minuteman. On April 19, 1775, Forster and other men from Manchester marched toward Lexington to engage the British. They only made it as far as Medford when told of the British retreat but, according to lore, carried this flag showing six white stripes on one side and seven on the other. While its carrying is not documented, the flag is nevertheless likely the oldest of its kind symbolizing the 13 united colonies that founded the United States.
The original flag is well-preserved and is now on display at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. It is a symbol of American independence, and we honor the bravery of Revolutionary Manchester through this historic flag.
Yours sincerely,
Matthew Swindell
MBTS Museum