Silhouette of John Stark, from A Life of General John Stark by Howard P. Moore, Internet Archive.
New Hampshire residents traditionally celebrate John Stark day on April 25th each year. This celebratory date is set by New Hampshire Revised Statutes 4:13-l – General John Stark Day, that designates the fourth Monday in April as such.
“And the governor …. shall urge cities and towns throughout the state to observe this day in commemoration of General Stark’s gallant and illustrious service to New Hampshire and his country.” Memorial and commemorative events are held in Manchester (at Stark Park), Dunbarton, Derry, New Boston and Goffstown, New Hampshire. Other events may be held in the Bennington Vermont area. You need to check local newspapers in these places for details.
I have written many blog stories about General John Stark, and recently one about his wife Elizabeth “Molly” (Page) Stark. I was honored to be asked to write a story about John Stark for New Hampshire magazine. I feel a connection to him. My 4th great-grandfather, Ezra Abbott (1756-1837) of Concord New Hampshire was with Stark in the famed battle of Bennington on Aug. 17, 1777 and used to relate many anecdotes of the battle. Like John Stark, Ezra had 11 children, though he also had THREE wives, not one like John’s Molly.
In my research I have discovered some interesting sketches and likenesses of John Stark. The most recent painted portrait I think probably looks the least like him. That idealized painting looks too much like a cross between George Washington and Napoleon. And so with little fanfare, I present some of these portraits to you, along with a link to a story about the history of some of the John Stark portraits. You can best make up your own mind on which looks the most like General John Stark.
—Former Stories about John and Molly (Page) Stark—
– Manchester New Hampshire’s Statue of John Stark [2006]
– New Hampshire Inspired: Yankee Doodle [2006]
– John Stark Day 2007
– New Hampshire Celebration: John Stark Day [2014] [includes ‘Live Free or Die’ letter]
– Happy General John (aka Molly Stark’s Husband’s) Day: April 27, 2015
– Franconia New Hampshire’s Indian Head Profile [2016]
– New Hampshire Tidbits: Live Free or Die on New Hampshire License Plates [2016]
– Godmother of New Hampshire’s War for Independence: Elizabeth “Molly (Page) Stark (1737-1814) [March 2017]
– Genealogy: Some Descendants of the Stark Family of New Hampshire
–LIKENESSES OF JOHN STARK OF DERRYFIELD (MANCHESTER) NH–
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- Silhouette of John Stark. The Life of John Stark of New Hampshire, by Howard Parker Moore, 1949. Internet Archive. https://archive.org/stream/lifeofgeneraljoh00moor#page/456/mode/2up/
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- John Stark, from Memoir and official correspondence of Gen. John Stark, with notices of several others…” by Caleb Stark, published 1860 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc2.ark:/13960/fk55d8ns55;view=1up;seq=10;size=75
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- “Stark” The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library Digital Collections. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47da-3057-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
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- Closeup of former likeness of John Stark. Undated.
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- The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. “Maj. Gen. John Stark.” The New York Public Library Digital Collections. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47da-f46e-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
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- Daguerrotype of a “painting” by A. Ritchie, circa 1831. Courtesy of John McNeil Stark Esq. Concord NH as found in book, “A life of General John Stark of New Hampshire.” https://archive.org/stream/lifeofgeneraljoh00moor#page/n523/mode/2up
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- John Stark from 1856 History of Manchester by C E Potter
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- 1870 engraved portrait of John Stark (one of probably several published); owned by Janice W. Brown.
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- Sketch of Stark at Bennington from October 1902 Granite State Monthly
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- The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. “Gen. Stark at Bennington.” The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1777 – 1890. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47da-21f2-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
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- Close up of General Stark at Bennington
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- Art and Picture Collection, The New York Public Library. “Presidents & generals.” The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1854. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e0-f2e3-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
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- John Stark Likeness on cover of Anderson booklet
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- Presidents and Generals closeup
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- Art and Picture Collection, The New York Public Library. “Gen. Warren ; Gen. Stark ; Gen. Putnam ; Gen. Heath ; Gen. Ward.” The New York Public Library Digital Collections. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e0-f4cc-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
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- “Gen. Stark.” The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection.The New York Public Library Digital Collections. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/c0cf23fd-1a98-fa46-e040-e00a18065ef0
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- Gen. John Stark, by Samuel F.B. Morse, 1816, Courtesy of Macbeth Galleries, New York. From book: Life of General John Stark of New Hampshire by Howard Parker Moore, 1949. https://archive.org/details/lifeofgeneraljoh00moor
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- A sketch of General John Stark aged 82 created during his lifetime by teenager and amateur artist Mary Crowninshield of Salem MA.
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- Major General John Stark (looking too much like George Washington) from A Life of General John Stark by Howard P. Moore
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- Photograph of William Stark, great-grandson of Gen. John Stark. He was a lawyer and poet.
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- Statue of John Stark in Stark Park, Manchester NH, before repairs to replace his sword. Taken by Janice W. Brown
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- Statue of Major Gen. John Stark, Concord, N.H]. Detroit Publishing Co., Publisher. Concord New Hampshire. Photograph 1900-1910. Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/item/det1994016042/PP/
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- 1789 John Stark signature
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- Jim Bean decanter with likeness of John Stark. 1980s.
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- John Stark bobblehead from NH Historical Society. https://www.nhhistory.org/Store/Fun-Games/Bobbleheads/John-Stark-Bobblehead-(1)
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- Likeness of Elizabeth “Molly” Stark, attributed to Henry Benbridge. Original from book, “A Life of General John Stark of New Hampshire,” by Caleb Stark; colorized by J. W. Brown
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- Elizabeth (Page) Stark signature
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- Site of John Stark’s Birth in Londonderry NH (now part of Derry) from October 1902 Granite State Monthly
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- Stark House Manchester NH, built by John’s father Archibald Stark.
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- Old Stark mansion in Manchester NH from October 1902 The Granite Monthly (this building was destroyed by fire)
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- A “Stark Vodka” bottle, the alcoholic beverage reported made from 100% New Hampshire apples. Photograph by Heather Wilkinson Rojo and used here with her permission. General John Stark Vodka distilled by Flag Hill. https://www.caskers.com/stark/
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- John Stark statue with plaque (to follow) that stands outside the City Hall Annex building on Market Street in Manchester NH. Photograph taken by Heather Wilkinson Rojo and used here with her permission.
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- Plaque on General John Stark statue, Market Street, City Hall Annex. Photograph taken by Heather Wilkinson Rojo, and used here with her permission.
***ADDITIONAL READING***
New Hampshire Magazine (April 2017) — John Stark: A Hero for His Time and Ours
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I have a portrait of John Stark that is not included in your fine article. It is signed “D. Tenney, 1898, After S.F.B. Morse.” I purchased it at an auction in Amherst, MA circa 1982, not knowing who the stately gentlemen was. A few years later, I saw a painting just like mine hanging in the Map Room of the White House. I wrote to the WH, asking who the gentleman was, and I was told it was John Stark My painting is currently in Fredericksburg, VA and is registered with the Smithsonian museum.
Actually, the signature on my painting includes a “U. D.” In red paint, then the signer switched to black paint, “D. Tenney.”
Kenneth, how very interesting! Is there a photograph of the portrait, or is it online in the Smithsonian’s collection?
I don’t see a way to include a photo in my reply. The Smithsonian has a photo, but I don’t know how to search their file of items not in their collection. My painting looks very much like the Morse original, but Stark’s neck and collar look about an inch shorter…probably more anatomically correct.
We can communicate via Facebook. I’m the only Ken Samonds…and there are probably 1000 Janice Brown, so you can easily find me…and we can communicate via Messenger.
Ken, I just sent you an offer of friendship on FaceBook.