Taunton Flag Morale Patch: Liberty and Union Since 1774
Before the Stars and Stripes, before the Gadsden Flag, there was the Taunton Flag — one of the earliest American liberty flags ever flown, raised by colonists in Massachusetts two years before the Declaration of Independence. Here's the story behind this underappreciated piece of American history.
What Is the Taunton Flag?
On October 21, 1774, the citizens of Taunton, Massachusetts raised a flag on the town's liberty pole in defiance of British rule. The flag featured a red field with the British Union Jack in the upper left corner — a common design element of the era — and the words "LIBERTY AND UNION" in white letters across the red field.
The raising of the Taunton Flag was a direct act of political defiance. At the time, the colonies were still technically under British rule, but tensions were at a breaking point. The Taunton colonists were making a clear statement: they wanted liberty, and they wanted union among the colonies to achieve it.
Why It Matters
The Taunton Flag predates the Declaration of Independence by nearly two years and the official American flag by three years. It represents the earliest stirrings of American independence — the moment when ordinary citizens decided that enough was enough and made their stand publicly, at great personal risk.
"Liberty and Union" would later become the motto of Daniel Webster and the rallying cry of the Union during the Civil War. But it started here, in a small Massachusetts town, on a cold October day in 1774.
The Taunton Flag in the Tactical and Patriot Community
For those who study American history and carry that history on their kit, the Taunton Flag patch is a statement of deep patriotism — one that goes beyond the familiar symbols to honor the founding generation's courage before the Revolution was even officially underway. It's a patch for history buffs, constitutional conservatives, and anyone who believes that liberty is worth fighting for.
Shop the Taunton Flag Morale Patch
Hook-and-loop backed and ready for your plate carrier, range bag, or hat. Liberty and Union — now and forever.