Benjamin Flagg, Jr.

---

Benjamin Flagg was born in Worcester, MA on March 10, 1746 to Benjamin and Abigail (Chadwick) Flagg.  Both the Flaggs and the Chadwicks (also spelled "Chaddick") were among the earliest families to settle in Worcester. Benjamin was the eldest of his parents' eleven children.

Both Benjamin's father Benjamin and his grandfather Benjamin lived in Worcester. Benjamin's uncle Asa Flagg also had a son named Benjamin. This man was born in Worcester (of course!) in 1751 but moved to neighboring Holden where he died in 1821.

Benjamin marched as a sergeant in his father’s Company from Worcester on the Lexington Alarm on April 19, 1775.  His brother Abel marched with them, while another brother, Phinehas, marched in Timothy Bigelow's company. Later Benjamin served as a Private in Captain William Gates’ Company in 1776 and was a Nine Month’s Man in the 6th Massachusetts Regiment in 1778 where he served along the Hudson River in New York. There is a description of him in the muster roll: about 6 feet tall with a light complexion.

He married Hannah Stearns, the daughter of Timothy and Bethiah (Adams) Stearns of Framingham, MA. I have not been able to find a marriage record for Benjamin and Hannah in either Framingham or Worcester, but they likely married around 1779. They had at least three children: daughters Mary and Hannah, and a son named Benjamin. In 1790 there were four people in the Flagg household; one white male over 16 years of age and three white females. Benjamin Flagg Sr.'s household included one white male under 16 years of age, so perhaps Benjamin was living with his grandfather.

In 1813 Benjamin joined the newly-formed Calvinist Church in Worcester. Either he, his father, or his cousin had joined the Second Parish under Rev. Aaron Bancroft shortly after its incorporation in 1785. The church lists only "Benjamin Flagg" with no other signifiers, so it's difficult to know who is who.

Benjamin died the day before his 73rd birthday on March 9, 1819 in Worcester, and was originally buried in the Mechanic Street Burial Ground.  He was moved to Hope Cemetery in 1878. His father had died only four months before aged 94. Hannah died in 1843 at age 97. Because of her husband's military service Hannah was able to collect a pension after his death.

---

From Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War Volume 5, pages 748 and 749:

Flagg, Benjamin, Jr. Sergeant, Capt. Benjamin Flagg's co. of Minute-men, which

marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775 ; service, 7 days.

Flagg, Benjamin (also given Jr.), Worcester. List of men mustered to serve in the

Continental Army for the term of 9 months; Capt. Whiting's co., Col. Denny's

regt.; mustered May 19 [1778]; also, descriptive list of men raised in Worcester

Co. to serve in the Continental Army for the term of 9 months from the time of

their arrival at Fishkill, as returned by Lieut. Nathaniel Harrington, dated May

19,1778; age, 32 yrs.; stature, about 6 ft. ; complexion, light; residence, Worces-

ter ; reported arrived at Fishkill July 23, 1778; also reported not mustered.