It is even doubtful if the Massachusetts Quaker poet realized how famous he was going to make the venerable Barbara, and himself, when he penned his immortal poem. But there are few persons of the present generation who know anything about the personal side of Barbara Frietchie.
This patriot was born in Lancaster County, Pa., December 3, 1766, when George Washington was a young man of thirty-four. She was the third daughter of John Niclaus Hauer and Catherine Zeiler Hauer, who were both born in Germany. In 1753 they emigrated to America.
When Barbara was two years old her parents moved to Frederick, Md., then a long distance away. The trip was made in old-fashioned ox carts.
This noted woman was born during patriotic times. The hated Stamp Act had just been repealed. In fact, Frederick County, in 1765, was the first to officially protest against it.
It is said of Barbara that she met many of the patriots of that day, and when she was twenty-five years old she had the pleasure of conversing with George Washington.
This event occurred one afternoon in 1791 at Kimball’s Tavern, now the City Hall of Frederick.
A number of ladies were participating in a quilting bee, when a messenger leaped from his horse in front of the hotel and announced that President Washington would soon arrive and intended to pass the night at the tavern.
This unusual news broke up the party, and the ladies turned in to assist in preparing for the reception to the great Washington.
The tavern did not possess a suitable coffee urn, and Barbara Hauer hurried to her home and returned with her choice Liverpool coffee pot, a precious heirloom in the family.
Barbara was the one who was specially assigned to look after the personal comfort of the President, and her pretty face, pleasant manners and vivacious spirit greatly pleased the first President of the United States.