General John Stark
N 43° 00.851 W 071° 28.248
19T E 298651 N 4765352
The final resting place of General John Stark, New Hampshire's greatest patriot.
Waymark Code: WMA7V
Location: New Hampshire, United States
Date Posted: 04/10/2006
Views: 55
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"Live free or die, death is not the worst of evils."
General John Stark, in an 1809 letter to his former comrades on the occasion of a reunion celebrating their victory at the Battle of Bennington.
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John Stark (August 28, 1728 - May 8, 1822) was born in (present day) Derry,
New Hampshire (visit Waymark). He moved to
(present day) Manchester when he was 8, and remained a resident of Manchester for the remainder of his life.
Stark's early military experience came during the French and Indian War, where he served as a member of Roger's Rangers
under Major Robert Rogers. He retired as a captain, but returned to military service in April of 1775 at the start of
American Revolutionary War. He led the New Hampshire minutemen in a brave and successful defensive stand in the Battle of
Bunker Hill, and later served under General George Washington in the battles of Princeton and Trenton.
Stark's most famous military victory came in the Battle of Bennington in 1777, where he and his troops, supported by
the Vermont militia, routed the British forces. Stark's action contributed directly to the surrender of British General John
Burgoyne's northern army at the Battle of Saratoga (a battle which is considered to be a turning point in the Revolutionary
War.
General Stark died in Manchester in 1822 at the age of 94. His legacy lives on in New Hampshire - his famous expression "Live free or die" became
the New Hampshire state motto in 1945, and can be found on signs, buildings, plaques, and on New Hampshire license plates.
The Stark Family burial plot is located in John Stark State Park, on River Road in Manchester, New Hampshire.
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Description: Military leader and patriot, General Stark served bravely during the French and Indian wars and the American Revolutionary War.
Date of birth: 08/28/1728
Date of death: 05/08/1822
Area of notoriety: Military
Marker Type: Headstone
Setting: Outdoor
Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Park closes at 9:00 pm
Fee required?: No
Web site: [Web Link]
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