Raymond militia presentation caps off Flag Day Weekend activities

By Ed Pierce

From the day that Joseph Dingley first arrived in Raymondtown in 1770, what is now the Town of Raymond established a lasting association with colonial militia, and a new presentation will focus on “The Colonial Militia” at the Raymond Casco Historical Museum.

A recently discovered flag used by militia members from
Raymond will be unveiled during a free presentation
about 'Colonial Militia' at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 15
at the Raymond Casco Historical Museum in Casco.
SUBMITTED PHOTO    

Both Dingley and his son Samuel volunteered for military service at the start of the Revolutionary War in the company of men from Raymond and Windham and returned to the fast-growing Raymondtown as Captains, a title that Joseph retained for the rest of his life, even though he later held the rank of Colonel in the militia.

Beginning with Flag Day Weekend, Saturday June 13 and Sunday 14, a free family event at the museum, 1 Shadow Lane in Casco, will offer flag crafts for all ages along with informational brochures about the U.S. flag. It’s all part of celebrating America’s 250th birthday, says Sue Pride of the Raymond Casco Historical Society.

“At 6:30 p.m. on Monday evening June 15, local historian Mike Davis who always entertains and informs his audiences, will present a noteworthy talk at the museum about the colonial militia, just in time for the 250 America Celebration,” Pride said.

In connection with the presentation, the historical society will unveil a recently discovered flag attributed to the Raymond militia which they could have displayed on their Muster Days.

Pride said that the flag was found in the Lewis Gay Homestead that was on Quaker Ridge Road in Casco. She said that Gay was a Revolutionary War patriot who was listed among the first 30 settlers to receive recorded deeds in 1794 from Salem, Massachusetts proprietors in what was Raymond and now Casco. That property is now part of the Rolfe Hill Forest managed by the Loon Echo Land Trust.

The militia flag was contained in an antique wooden document box by descendants of Willis H. Rolfe and Minnie Hayden-Gay Rolfe.

According to Pride, the flag was most likely used after the Revolutionary War and up to the Civil War after which time local militias were disbanded.

“After its discovery, it was taken to the Maine Historical Society where an outside evaluation indicated that it was hand-sewn on linen of the early 1800 period and then was gifted to the Raymond Casco Historical Society to be hung in the Raymond Casco Historical Museum.,” she said.

Raymond’s militia rosters varied in numbers up and down with the town’s population, from 50 to 75 after the Revolutionary War to about 175 during the Civil War.

There is no charge to attend the presentation by Davis, which starts at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 15 at the Raymond Casco Historical Museum in Casco. Following the presentation, refreshments will be served.

To learn more about the Raymond Casco Historical Society, visit www.raymondcascohistoricalsociety.org. <