Travel in Time with Dan: Fictional Interview with General John Stark, “Live Free or Die” (1728–1822)
Dan: Hello everyone! Today, I’m in Manchester, New Hampshire, at the house where General John Stark grew up. This is the man who gave New Hampshire its famous motto. Two hundred years ago, this was the only house here, surrounded by 800 acres of farmland. Welcome, General Stark.
General John Stark: Thank you, Dan. It’s good to be remembered. This land has changed considerably, but the spirit of independence—that remains constant.
Dan: Let’s start with a remarkable story from your youth. You were captured by a Native American tribe and made to run the gauntlet, but you did something unexpected.
General John Stark: Indeed. I was out hunting with my brother when we were captured. They prepared the gauntlet for me—two lines of warriors ready to strike as I ran between them. But I wasn’t about to be anyone’s victim. I went straight at the first man, grabbed his club, and used it on him. Shocked them all.
Dan: And the chief adopted you into the tribe.
General John Stark: He did. He said I fought like a true warrior and deserved to be one of them. That experience taught me something vital: respect is earned through courage and action, not submission. They could have killed me, but they admired bravery more than compliance.
Dan: That experience served you later in the French and Indian War.
General John Stark: Yes. I fought for the English, but I learned invaluable lessons from my adopted tribe. I learned their tactics—guerrilla warfare, hit-and-run strategies, how to use terrain and surprise. I was part of Rogers’ Rangers, became an excellent marksman. But when they wanted me to fight against my adopted tribe, I refused and left. Some things are more important than orders.
Dan: Those skills proved crucial during the Revolution. You fought at Bunker Hill, Trenton, Princeton, and were the hero of Bennington.
General John Stark: Bennington was indeed significant. That victory, connected to Saratoga, convinced the French we could actually win this war. Their support changed everything. But I was fortunate to serve in many critical battles. At Trenton, General Washington trusted me to lead his flank—passed over more senior generals to give me that responsibility. That trust meant everything.
Dan: Washington clearly respected your competence and bravery.
General John Stark: Competence and bravery—those are the foundations of leadership, Dan. You must be exceptionally good at what you do, and you must have the courage to act when action is required. Without competence, bravery is reckless. Without bravery, competence is wasted. Together, they inspire others to follow you.
Dan: Your men clearly loved you. In 1809, they held a reunion for the Bennington veterans.
General John Stark: They did, and I regret I couldn’t attend. I was an old man by then. So I sent them a letter, a toast for them to read together. I wanted them to remember why we fought, what we stood for.
Dan: That letter contained the words that became New Hampshire’s motto.
General John Stark: Yes. I wrote that we should live free or die, for death is not the worst of all evils. It’s a simple truth, Dan. Would you rather live on your knees under tyranny or stand as a free man? The choice seemed obvious to me. Some things are worth dying for, and freedom is chief among them.
Dan: Those words have endured for over two centuries.
General John Stark: Because they capture something fundamental about the human spirit. People understand instinctively that a life without freedom, without dignity, without the ability to determine your own path—that’s not truly living. We fought not just for independence from Britain, but for the principle that free people should govern themselves.
Dan: You lived to be 93, the longest-living Revolutionary general.
General John Stark: I was fortunate. I saw this nation take its first steps, watched it grow stronger. I saw the principles we fought for take root. That’s a rare privilege—to fight for something and then witness it flourish.
Dan: New Hampshire honored you with a Bennington monument similar to Washington’s, though yours is brownish, fitting the New Hampshire landscape.
General John Stark: A monument is gratifying, but the real honor is when people remember what you stood for, not just that you existed. The monument may crumble someday, but if the spirit of living free endures, then my legacy is secure.
Dan: What leadership lessons would you share with people today?
General John Stark: First, be exceptionally competent at what you do. Second, have the courage to act decisively, even when facing overwhelming odds. Third, inspire loyalty through respect and shared purpose—my men followed me because they knew I valued their lives and our cause equally. Fourth, never compromise on fundamental principles. When I refused to fight my adopted tribe, some called it insubordination. I called it integrity. Finally, remember that true freedom requires constant vigilance and occasional sacrifice.
Dan: Powerful words, General. Any final thoughts?
General John Stark: Live with purpose, Dan. Stand for something worth defending. And remember: if you’re not willing to fight for your freedom, you’ll eventually lose it. That’s as true today as it was in 1776.
Dan: Thank you so much, General Stark. Your legacy of courage and freedom continues to inspire.
General John Stark: May you always choose to live free, Dan. That choice defines us all.
