Born: Dec. 3, 1766 Died: Dec. 18, 1862 Biography: Barbara Fritchie was born Barbara Hauer on Dec. 3, 1766, in Lancaster, Pa. On May 6, 1806, she married John Casper Fritchie, a glove maker. Barbara was a friend of Francis Scott Key. When George Washington died, the two of them participated in a memorial service in Frederick, Md. Barbabra was a central figure in the history of Frederick. She lived in a house that was to become a stop on the town's walking tour. It is said that at 95 years old, Fritchie waved the Union flag out her window despite opposition from Stonewall Jackson's troops, who were passing through Frederick. John Greenleaf Whittier's poem of 1864, "Barbara Fritchie", was written about this event. "Shoot, if you must, this old gray head, but spare your country's flag" she said. A shade of sadness, a blush of shame, over the face of the leader came; The nobler nature within him stirred to life at that woman's deed and word; "who touches a hair of yon gray head dies like a dog! March on!" he said. The flag incident never took place that day, as Barbara was sick in bed. She told the housekeeper to hide the valuables in case there was looting, and to take the U.S. flag that was hanging outside. But for some reason it was never moved, and as a result it was shot up by the Confederate troops. The flag, a symbol of the need for myth in times of war, can be seen in the Barbara Fritchie home and museum. Barbara Fritchie died Dec. 18, 1862 in Frederick, Md. She was 96 years old. Her body is buried in the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Frederick City.