The Taunton Flag, also known as the Liberty and Union Flag, has a rich history dating back to the American Revolutionary period. It was first raised on October 21, 1774, in Taunton, Massachusetts, by the Sons of Liberty, on a 112-foot liberty pole outside the courthouse. This flag was a symbol of defiance against British rule and was one of the first flags to express dissension within the Thirteen Colonies.
The Sons of Liberty were a group of American colonist that formed in Boston in 1765 to oppose British policies and taxes. They spread across all the colonies and played a crucial role in uniting the Colonies against British rule.
The flag features a red field with the Union Jack in the top left corner and the words "Liberty and Union" sewn across the bottom. This design was proposed by Reverend Caleb Barnum (1737-1776) as a symbol of opposition to the Crown and support for American independence.
The flag gained popularity after being featured in the Boston Evening-Post, inspiring similar flags throughout the colonies. Today, it is flown in Taunton, Massachusetts, and celebrated annually during the Liberty and Union Festival every October.
=============================================================
Sources
Flag of Taunton, Massachusetts - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Taunton,_Massachusetts.
Before Old Glory, There Was the Taunton Flag. https://newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/before-old-glory-there-was-the-taunton-flag/.
Flag of Taunton, Massachusetts | Military Wiki | Fandom. https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Flag_of_Taunton,_Massachusetts.
Flag of Taunton, Massachusetts facts for kids - Kids encyclopedia. https://kids.kiddle.co/Flag_of_Taunton,_Massachusetts.
Flag of Taunton, Massachusetts - Wikiwand articles. https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Flag_of_Taunton,_Massachusetts.