First Flag of New Hampshire

The fresh scent of cut grass wafted past her nose. The leaves on the oak tree were still green, but Alyssa knew it wouldn’t last. Early September in New England was still warm, not as warm as August, but the weather was mild and pleasant, only hinting of the chill to come at night fall. Autumn was her favorite time of year. She just hoped she wouldn’t be too busy with schoolwork to let it pass her by.

Alyssa walked onto her high school campus and headed toward the Practical Arts Building where she had her American Studies class. That class was going to be a handful. It was for students who fell in the “honor student” curriculum, geared for those who were going onto college after high school. Alyssa took the steps, two at time, and breezed inside. The only way she was getting to college was to get a scholarship. This was the year to do it. No more late nights with her friends, Steffie and Idgy. If she had to spend extra hours after work or on the weekend, she would.

“Scholarship, here I come…” Alyssa whispered to herself, just before she went into the old style, wooden classroom. Then she stopped dead in her tracks.

The room was filled with jocks, preps, and richies. She surveyed the room, trying to pick out the one seat that would make her invisible. The bell rang, surprising her, and she took the nearest seat she could find, next to the history teacher’s desk. American Studies was a two period class and two teachers taught it. Mr. Lipton was the history teacher, and Mrs. Houston was the English teacher.

“Hello, Everyone, welcome to American Studies,” said Mr. Lipton, standing up. “It’s going to be a demanding year.”

The class groaned. It was set up in a horseshoe so everyone could look at each other. The classroom itself was old, with creaky floorboards and three big bay windows overlooking Central High School’s courtyard. A statue of President Lincoln sitting in a chair rested between the building she was in and the Classical Building.

Mr. Lipton had everyone introduce themselves. Alyssa keep her bio brief.

“Hi, I’m Alyssa Rydell, I’m seventeen, I work part time for the phone company, and I run long distance on the girl’s track team.”

The intros went on for a good twenty minutes before Mr. Lipton spoke again.

“For your history project, I’m going to have you pair up,” Mr. Lipton pointed to Alyssa’s side of the room. “This side will pick their partners and the partners will pick a mystery from American history which you’ll try to solve. Your work will be detailed in a journal you’ll both keep and turned in at the end of the semester for your grade.”

Alyssa’s heart sank. She didn’t know a soul in class. Mr. Lipton thrust a small basket in her face and she drew out a piece of paper.

“Miguel De Soto.”

“Ah, that’s me.”

Alyssa looked across the room. Miguel was tall, with dark bangs that seemed to casually flop just past his eyebrows. The pensive look in his eyes told her he was just as nervous as she was. What did he say about himself?

“I’m Miguel De Soto. It’s my first year here. My dad was transferred from Miami, Florida…”

Mrs. Houston walked up to Bill and put a small basket in front of him. “Pick, Miguel.”

Miguel nervously reached inside and took out a piece of paper.

“The first flag of New Hampshire.”

Mr. Lipton smiled. “That’s a very challenging project.”

Miguel looked at Alyssa with little lost boy eyes. Alyssa shrugged her shoulders. Mr. Lipton noticed their confusion and continued.

“History tells us John Wentworth, lieutenant governor of New Hampshire, commissioned the first flag in 1717. The first flag of New Hampshire only has the clipper ship on it. The wreath of laurel leaves and nine stars were added once New Hampshire became a state. The flag has only flown four times in the state’s history. What you’ve got to figure out is when was it flown, and why. Bonus points for where the flag is now.”

“We have to solve this mystery by Thanksgiving?” Miguel asked.

“That’s the end of the semester,” Mr. Lipton confirmed.

Miguel looked at Alyssa with a hapless grin. He hoped he could bring something to the project, but he didn’t know a thing about New Hampshire history. Alyssa’s smile betrayed her trepidation. This was definitely going to be a challenge.

***

Alyssa waited for Miguel to walk out of the classroom and fell in step next to him. She was taller than the average girl, 5’9”, but Miguel seemed to tower over her.

“Hi, Alyssa. Nice to meet you,” he said pleasantly. “Some project, huh?”

“Yeah. Where do you think we should start?”

“I was going to ask you. I can tell you all about Florida and Cuba, but I don’t know anything about New Hampshire history.”

“You’re from Cuba?”

“No, my granddad was,” said Miguel, looking down at her with a smile. “My Dad works for a marketing firm. He just transferred up to Boston and bought a house here in Manchester.”

“Ah…I see. Well, let’s go to the computer room and see what’s online. This period is my free time.”

“Mine too.”

They left the Practical Arts building and walked over to the most recent building that was constructed, the James Building.

“So…this place is different. It’s not as hot here.”

“Wait until the leaves start to change. They turn all different colors. It’s nice. My parents take us up to the White Mountains just so we can see the foliage.”

Miguel wrinkled his dark brow. “That doesn’t sound like too much fun.”

Alyssa turned on him and gave him a tart smile. “Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, Miguel.”

He chuckled. “I’ve got a car. Want to show me the foliage?”

Alyssa’s eyes narrowed. “Not particularly. I want to solve this mystery and that’s all.”

Miguel sighed. Alyssa was all schoolwork. And maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing. He was hoping for a scholarship too.

They entered the library and found a free computer. Alyssa did a google search on their assignment, but to her surprise, she only found one link. It was a web page belonging to the New Hampshire historical society.

“In March 1945, right before V-E day was declared in Europe, the first flag of New Hampshire was found stored away in an old cabinet in the archives. The commander of the naval station ordered it to be flown next to the U.S. Flag. The next day a fleet of German U-Boats surrendered in Portsmouth. Visit the Portsmouth Naval Station museum for more information.”

Next to the small article was a picture of the flag. Mr. Lipton was right. It consisted of just a clipper ship on a blue background. Underneath it was written “Royal Colony of New Hampshire.”

Alyssa turned to Miguel. “Are you free this weekend, Mr. Hot Rod?”

“Maybe…”

“I want an “A” on this project, so we have a date in Portsmouth.”

“You want me to drive you to Portsmouth?” Miguel gasped. He had a 1989 Toyota Corolla that was a bit junky looking.

Alyssa grinned. “You bet. Hopefully we’ll get some clues about when the flag was flown before then.”

Miguel ran a hand through his hair. “You have a date, Alyssa.”

“Call me Aly.”

They shared a knowing smile.

***

That Saturday, they took state route 101 towards the seacoast and Portsmouth. Rural New Hampshire was very different from urban Miami. Life seemed casual here, slower. The people were laid back and more relaxed. Alyssa was very focused on her schoolwork, but Miguel didn’t mind. He liked to working on this project with her.

As they drove along the countryside, Alyssa pointed out several pumpkin patches and he counted five scarecrows proudly displayed alongside the road.

They stopped at the next patch and Alyssa bought several pumpkins, explaining to him how her mother loved to put pumpkins around the front lawn of their house. Not only did she buy several pumpkins, but she got several decorative gourds as well. The scent of fresh hay being cut tickled Miguel’s nose.

“So, how long is your mother going to leave the pumpkins out?” asked Miguel, helping Alyssa carry her goods.

“Until Halloween. Then mom makes her famous pumpkin pies.”

“What makes them famous?” he asked.

Alyssa winked at him. “She puts a nip of rum in them. Then she brings them back here to this patch and sells them at the farmer’s market.”

Miguel made sure the pumpkins were stuffed neatly in the backseat and they drove off. “I can’t wait to try a piece. I never had pumpkin pie before.”

“Get out!” Alyssa teased.

Miguel smiled and drove off. Soon they arrived at the front gate of the naval station in Portsmouth. The Marine MP at the gate signed them in and gave them directions to the naval museum. Miguel was amazed at how clean the base was. The grass was neatly cut. The barracks were lined up in orderly little rows and the view of the Atlantic Ocean was breathtaking. As soon as they got out of the car, Miguel was stung by the sea salt breeze.

Students were free, and Alyssa made a beeline for the World War II display in the heart of the museum. She studied the old photographs, surprised by the story they told. Several German U-boats were lined up just off the shore, surrounded by US warships. Miguel hovered closely over her shoulder.

“Can I help you?”

Alyssa whizzed around and discovered the curator. She was an older woman with gray hair and sharp eyes.

“We’re doing some research on the first flag of New Hampshire.”

“I’m Mrs. Whittle. I see you found the pictures when it was last flown.” She pointed to an old gray photograph. The flag casually fluttered in front of the naval headquarters building.

“Is it still here?” Miguel asked. He was impressed. Everything came alive with an excitement he couldn’t define – the ocean, the season, and the history.

“It was sent back to the state capital in Concord after the war,” explained Mrs. Whittle.

“Do you know if the flag was flown before then?” asked Alyssa.

“Not since the American Revolution. I’ll show you, Dear,” Mrs. Whittle gestured for them to follow.

The curator opened a display case and withdrew an old, dusty, brown leather journal. After turning a few yellow aged pages, Mrs. Whittle handed the book to Alyssa.

“October 30th, 1789. The city is honored to have President George Washington visit. The Honorable Mayor, John Langdon, gave him a tour of the naval facilities and ordered me to fly the first flag of New Hampshire in his honor. It flew proudly for the president to see in the courtyard and he saluted it before he left. – Jeffery Social, USN, Captain, Adjutant.”

“Alyssa, that makes twice the flag has flown!” exclaimed Miguel.

Alyssa dug into her pink backpack for her journal, explaining to Mrs. Whittle about the mystery they had to solve.

Mrs. Whittle smiled. “There’s a display of historical flags in the state capital.”

“That’s Concord,” said Miguel.

Alyssa was impressed by how fast Miguel seemed to process information. He bought several postcards for them to paste into their journal. As Alyssa copied the journal entry, Miguel realized something.

“Hey, Alyssa, it seems to me this flag has flown on very important occasions.”

“I think you’re on to something, Miguel,” she said.
Miguel flashed her a sweet, awkward smile.

Alyssa had to admit her partner was very nice.

***

Unfortunately, the weeks passed faster than Alyssa was expecting. It was now mid-October and this was their first chance they had to team up again.
Miguel drove his old, but dependable Toyota up Interstate 93 to Concord, riveted to the scenic view. Oaks and maples lined the highway. Their leaves were dressed up in colors of gold, rust, purple, and orange. They clung to life on fragile stems, threatening to fall onto the highway at any moment. He’d never seen trees as vibrant as this.

Soon they were in Concord. The state house was small, but stood out with its golden roof. As soon as they entered, they found themselves in a grand rotunda, its ceiling painted with angels and cherubs, resting on white billowy clouds. A directory told them the flag gallery and state archives were on the second floor. Alyssa went to the archives and Miguel went to the flag gallery. Sadly, he couldn’t find the flag he was looking for.

Alyssa took one look at the filing cabinets and bookshelves in the archive and her heart sank. She’d be here all night.

“Hey, Aly, the flag isn’t here. They have a spot for it, but it’s missing,” said Miguel, walking up to her.

She frowned and pointed toward her daunting task. “Where do we start?”

“Well, what important event during the Revoluntary War would they fly the flag in New Hampshire?” Miguel asked.

“Most of the major battles were fought in Massachusetts and states further down the Atlantic coast.”

“No major war battles?” Miguel asked, crossing his arms.

“No.”

“Well, come on! New Hampshire is one of the original thirteen states, isn’t it?”

“Yeah…?”

“So when did it enter the war? They had to fly it then, right?”

A bright grin grew on Alyssa’s face. She flew down the aisles, her fingers dusting the spines of brown and black leather books until she found what she was looking for.

Miguel watched with baited breath. Alyssa pulled out a book, flipped pages, and smiled.

“I stood in the town square and listened proudly as New Hampshire declared its independence from England. It is a little scary, but Massachusetts will follow. We are the first colony to be so bold, but the first flag flies high in the sky today with the governor’s approval. – Adam Bradford, Merchant, 1774.”

“You found it!”

“With your help, Miguel.”

“What now? How are we going to find the flag itself?” He helped her slide the pink backpack off her shoulders so she could pull out their journal.

“I have a hunch. Are you ready for another trip?”

“You name it.”

“Exeter, New Hampshire.”

***