Flying the American Flag in Hickling on July 20th 2017.
On the 20th July 2017 a flag-raising ceremony was held at the Village Hall to celebrate the 152nd anniversary of the birth of Fred Maltby Warner. Over several years a close relationship has built between Farmington, Michigan where Fred Maltby Warner (Governor of Michigan) lived and the village where he was born – Hickling.
In 2017, the Warner Mansion Museum sent the village of Hickling an extraordinary gift; an American 46 star flag which had been flown during Fred Maltby Warner’s time as Governor – it is over 100 years old. The United States was changing rapidly at this time and the 46-star flag was used when Oklahoma joined the Union and was only in use for a very short time; between 1908 and 1912.
The flag ceremony was organised by Mrs Carol Beadle (whose friendship with the Warner Mansion has built the link between our two communities) and Mrs Dorothy Chahal and it was supported by the Hickling WI. Mr Vic and Mrs Vera Haynes prepared the flag. Mr Peter Greenwood (Hickling Parish Council) spoke on behalf of the village and Mrs Carol Beadle spoke on behalf of Farmington and explained the history of Fred Maltby Warner and the flag. The flag was raised by Mrs Elizabeth Tomlin who was born in America and now lives in Hickling. Also pictured are members of the Woolley family (who are related to the Maltby family and still live in Hickling) and Councillors Tina Combellack and Neil Clarke.
The 46 Star Flag: On July 4,1908, the U.S. flag grew to 46 stars with the addition to the Union of Oklahoma (November 16, 1907). Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909) and William H. Taft (1909-1913) served as President under the 46 star flag. This was the official flag for 4 years.
The Fred Maltby Warner 46 star flag.
In 1865 a couple with 4 young children left Hickling Village to seek
better prospects in America.
Things did not quite work out as planned. Within a few weeks of arriving in
America, the mother died. Leaving father, a widower, with 4 children, the
youngest 4 months old, and thousands of miles away from family and friends. The
three youngest children were put up for adoption and the eldest child about
7yrs old stayed with his father, only to die a few months later.
The youngest child, FRED MALTBY was adopted by the WARNER family. This child
was blessed with caring adoptive parents, a good education and an inborn
determination to do well. He became the first foreign born Governor of Michigan
serving 3 consecutive terms of office.
He lived in a large mansion in the township of Farmington, Michigan. This
Mansion is now a museum dedicated to the life and achievements of FRED MALTBY
WARNER.
The people of Farmington are very interested in the small Nottinghamshire
Village of Hickling where Fred’s roots were. Many distantly related members of
Fred’s family still live in the village.
Farmington Museum Volunteers keep in touch with the Hickling History Group who
send them regular packages of items for display in the Farmington museum. The
museum has a room displaying the many Items Hickling villagers have sent
them, including the story of Stilton Cheese and the Melton Mowbray pork pie.
On 20th July it is Fred’s birthday and so Hickling can commemorate this event
with Farmington, they have kindly sent the villagers of Hickling a gift. This
gift is an American 46 star flag. It was flown in Farmington when Fred was
Governor of Michigan and so is over 100yrs old.
(text: Mrs D Chahal, July 2017)
