Posted 13 years ago
filmnet
(476 items)
This flag was donated to our towns Historical Society by my wife's grandmother in 1960. She got it from her aunt who lived here from 1849- 1917. She was from the family, that had soldier's men from 1777 to 1873. She was married to a soldier who was killed after the Civil war 1873. Her new husband from guy 1874 was in the Civil war also. But her Grandfather was in the war of 1812 he started the army then in Salem Ma, Col Perley Putnam and alive till 1864, he was loved in town, even to 1864. He left a lot to his sons kids. I have told this here before. Now the flag has the name Putnam on this huge flag, I went into there building and shot this yesterday, They did not know about this name on this flag. I told them it may have come from Col Perley Putnam before he died given to her who lived here .My question is this flag is 12 ft by 25 ft and was made to be outside on a pole as who can see, where would this be? The flag looks like the stars were sewn on by hands for sure, and these is room for more as you see, it looks like a sewing machining made the rest. So maybe this had less then 42 when it was made. And in Boston at the State House they might have used this big flag, too big for towns maybe? In 1862 when soldiers went to the Civil War we have the newpaper's from that day the town of Salem had a huge day sending them to the war, they marched thought the town and the last guy to talk to them was Col Putnam. Beautiful writing , he remembers starting the Army in 1812 his father was a farmer who fought in Lexington 1777 and his Uncle he was named for died that day, and now you all all going the war again!!!! He died the next year They all loved him, I wonder if this flag was given to him that day ? and he left it to his Grandchildren, he loved the girls of his son's who died in France 1849 with 5 kids?
Beautiful flag with an awesome story. An item like this means so much more when it has a personal history like this with it. Thanks for sharing !
No, it is sewn, You can see the wall behind the flag. Maybe it was made to be inside, I was told there was a paper with this about this flag giving to them 1961. They are looking for this now.
Your flag is an odd size. When I was serving in the 7th Army Honor Guard, one of our assignments was to raise and lower the garrison flag. We had three sizes of flags to chose from. there was the 4' x 6' storm flag, 6' x 10' garrison flag or the 12' x 18' holiday flag. To fly a 12' x 18' flag we were using a 70' flag pole. To properly lower and fold the holiday flag the Army required six honor guard personnel. Your flag looks to be a wall hanger
Possibly in a GAR hall, but the name on the side says PUTNAM perfect printing also of this name it looks like name was not written, maybe a stencil? too perfect.The women who lived here was in charge of a relief corp,which help veterans after the civil war. And this city had a GAR hall till 1900. Her name was Rebbecca Augusta Putnam Cook Pickett. She was the granddaughter of famous Colonel Perley Putnam , possibly it was his, he left a lot to the grandchildren of his son, who died young with 5 children 1849 . The colonel lived till 1864. My wife's family had a civil war uniform, a drum from the war, confederate money all were sold in 1970s. This flag was given to Beverly History in 1961 with a card about where it came from.They are still looking for this card.