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It was not until June 14, 1777, that the Second Continental having played a role due to the fact that in 1780, Hopkinson sought
Congress took the time to pass a resolution which stated “the flag of the payment from the Board of Admiralty for his design of the “flag of the
United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white” and that “the union United States of America.” However, his petition for payment was
be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.” denied because “he was not the only one consulted” on the design.

The Betsy Ross Legend The Flag On Display
Did Betsy Ross design and make It is hard to imagine that the flag was not on display
the first U.S. Flag? Well, believe it in every building, in every home, on wooden poles
or not, the jury is still out on this across the country following the Revolutionary War.
question. The legend and very The sense of pride or the “cult” of the Flag did not
pretty story that is told says Ross truly come to a head until the Civil War broke
created the first flag in 1776 after a out in 1861. At that time, the Union held the flag as
visit with George Washington. its own, creating a “rally ‘round the flag” effect as its
Sources of this information remain call to arms.
scarce, although Ross’ grandson On the
William Canby did a presentation Confederate
to the Historical Society of side came a
Pennsylvania in 1870 stating his host of designs
grandmother did truly make the Noted as one of the most unusual flags that Bonsell for a variety of
first flag. Americana have ever handled, this thirteen-star Betsy Ross flags flown for
According to Canby, Ross was flag with twenty-five stripes, rather than the standard thir- different divi-
visited in late May or early June teen. Such a large number stripes is extraordinarily sions of the
1776 by Washington, financier of rare—a trait seen in perhaps 1 in 1000 antique flags. Confederate
the war Robert Morris, with Though the exact meaning is impossible to know for sure, armed services.
Colonel George Ross, a relative and one can reasonably speculate that this flag may have From Stars and Stars and Bars Flag: Sargent Nicholas D
been used to commemorate the centennial of the
Brown, Company G, 12th Wisconsin
signer of the Declaration of twenty-fifth state admitted to the Union, Arkansas, Bars (with 7, 9, Infantry, captured this Confederate flag at
Independence. During the visit, a in 1936. Selling for $4,750 11, and 13-star Columbia, South Carolina.
sketch of the flag was given to Ross versions) to the
showing red and white stripes but first Confed-
the canton had thirteen six-pointed stars strewn about the space. She erate Navy Jack, the Bonnie Blue Flag, the Biderman Flag, along with
made a few design suggestions, including placing the stars in a circle dozens of others. The “Old Dixie Flag” or the commonly called
and making them five-pointed instead of six, and the first of over 12 “Confederate Flag” is really a design used by several southern states that
iterations created over time came into focus. On June 14, 1777, the flag was popular with several different infantries, but the variety of flags
known today as the “Betsy Ross” was officially adopted by Congress as feature almost 100 different designs on one flag website.
the national flag.
Despite the lack of official documentation to support this The Flag in Every Form
story of the first flag, the Beyond the flying of the flag
legend as put forth by around the world, its depiction in
Canby was published in fine and folk art, on clothing and
Harper’s New Monthly on just about any surface you can
magazine in 1873 and was imagine continues to inspire
quickly assimilated into school artists, designers, makers of
curriculums across the country. souvenirs and fine glass over these
Backing up the general idea in this story past 244 years of being a country.
is the fact that Ross did make flags. A receipt The most notable genre of flag Patriotism is one of the prevailing
for 14 pounds being paid to Ross on May 29, depiction is its use in Folk Art. tramp art themes, as seen in this
1777 states she did make “ships colours” for the While flags made during the American flag wall decoration.
Pennsylvania State Navy. start of the Country are far and photo: Museum of International Folk Art
History.org also shares that Francis few between, they are still being created today in modern fabrics like
Hopkinson, a New Jersey delegate to the Sunbrella to help prevent fading and triple-sewn-edged nylon to help
Continental Congress and signer of the prevent ripping. Do not expect any flag to last forever in the outdoors
Declaration of Independence, is also cited as as the elements can be brutal. On average a flag, if flown outside, would
need to be replaced at least once per year.
As for those elderly flags, treat them with great care. It is best to pre-
serve them in appropriate frames or in acid-free boxes with acid-free
wrapping. Do not hang them in the light, but keep them in the shade
with minimal exposure to light. And, as always, visit great museums like
the Revolutionary War Museum in Philadelphia and the Smithsonian
Museums in Washington D.C. to see examples of the real thing in good
to great condition.
And beware of the many fakes. Tea staining is indeed “a thing” but
if you know your fabrics, dyes, paints, and ovens (some artificial flags
(above) 21 stars made for the 1864 campaign of have been baked!), you have a better chance of buying one that is at
Abraham Lincoln & Andrew Johnson: A south- least vintage.
ern-exclusionary star count, the only known
example in this style Offit Collection of Antique
American Flags Feature Photo: Alfred Jacob Miller’s
The Bombardment of Ft. McHenry. This
(left) Gilt and Painted Molded Copper Goddess of event is said to have served as the inspira-
Liberty with Flag Weathervane, Possibly by tion for The Star-Spangled Banner
J.L. Mott Ironworks, New York, circa 1880s, by Francis Scott Key
old for $125,000 in 2017 at Sotheby’s photo: Maryland Historical Society

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