The 29 Star Flag .    1847-1848
 Today is July 5, 1847 and yesterday we raised the new 29 star flag for the first time over the Town of Franklin. Let's see. We have a row of eight stars on the top, eight on the bottom, and rows of six and seven in the middle. Does that add up to 29?  The 29th star is for the great State of Iowa which entered the Union on December 28, 1846. My guess is that next year we'll get another new flag.
   

 and in the State of Maine         or in Franklin    

 

In the United States and the world:

• James Polk is STILL president.
• The United States captures Mexico City and wins the Mexican War .  The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo gives the U. S. Texas, California, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. Note: Many of these names were on the sterns of our battleships attacked at Pearl Harbor 93 years later. 
• Europe is in turmoil with revolutions and revolts in Paris, Austria, Germany, Hungary and Italy. Lots of thrones change occupants. 
• The first settlers arrive in New Zealand.
•  "Communist Manifesto" is issued by Marx and Engels.
• Spiritualism is becoming popular in the U. S.
• and in California ........thar's GOLD! in them thar hills.
  

In the State of Maine:

• John Winchester Dana is Governor.

 In the Town of Franklin:

• Selectmen were:
• Joseph Scammon, Nathan A. Swan, and George W. Springer (1847-1848)
• Joseph Scammon, Nathan A. Swan, and George W. Springer (1848-1849)
•  This is one of the gold coins in use in 1847:  click on coin for larger picture

NOTE: As you can see, we're a little light on Franklin History. We expect to flesh this out as time goes by. You input and contributions would be appreciated. Contact Us.