- March 6, 1809, 217 years ago — Death of Thomas Heyward Jr..
- March 6, 1724, 302 years ago — Birth of Henry Laurens, President of the Continental Congress.
- March 7, 1707, 319 years ago — Birth of Stephen Hopkins, signer of the Declaration of Independence.
- March 7, 1699, 327 years ago — Birth of Susanna Boylston Adams, mother of John Adams.
Commonly Flown: April 1775 – 1776
Flag Description
The Bedford Flag is believed to be the oldest known flag used by American colonial forces. It features a crimson field with a disembodied arm holding a sword, emerging from a cloud, and the Latin motto Vince Aut Morire—“Conquer or Die.” Carried by Nathaniel Page’s cavalry troop from Bedford, Massachusetts, it was reportedly present at the Battle of Concord on April 19, 1775.
Editorial Commentary
The Bedford Flag is a relic of defiance—part heraldic emblem, part battlefield standard. Its origins predate the revolution, yet it found new life in the opening moments of armed resistance. When colonial militia confronted British regulars at Concord’s North Bridge, this flag may have been among the first to fly in open rebellion. Its imagery is stark and martial: a sword raised from the heavens, a divine sanction for resistance.
Unlike later flags that emphasized unity or ideology, the Bedford Flag is personal and local. It belonged to a town, a troop, a family. Its survival—preserved by the Page family for generations—adds to its mystique. It is not a national flag, but a witness to the nation’s birth.
In the context of Patriot Echoes, the Bedford Flag reminds us that the revolution began not with polished symbols, but with inherited banners repurposed for a new cause. It speaks to the improvisational nature of early resistance, when ordinary citizens brought whatever they had—tools, muskets, and flags—to the fight for liberty.
