[EmailPoster]

1st Flag by Mary Pickersgill or Betsy Ross?

Originally Posted by forever7

Hello,

I have a concern for both, my
nation and my children. I'm sick and tired of finding out that after 12
years in school, and another 20 years of living, that virtually
everything I learned in school is bullshit. For instance, Mary
Pickersgill is the first,original and only mother of the first American
flag. Betsy Ross did nothing. All she did was have a shameless
promoter nephew that decided he wanted his aunt, Betsy Ross, to go down
in history. What makes me the sickest is that we buy into this because
the story sounds good and has lymricall appeal. My children's education
and self awareness should not be based on lies. I also think that. for
the most part, the truth is much better, and more American than any of
the wonderful creations of literature and history. Not to mention that
the actual person that made the effort, and did the work, get's none of
the credit. In the end, I guess I can only teach my children one thing
that will always ring true, there are two kinds of people in this world.
Those that deserve the credit, and those that actually get it.

It's sad, I know, but there is one thing you, and those like you
that make these sites with the intention of educating can do, speak the
truth and report that truth to the world. Thank you for your time. I
meant no disrespect. I only wish that my children weren't forced to
learn lies as the foundation of their American heritage.

[Willocat]

Mary Pickersgill was a flagmaker during the 1812 war. And the giant 30X42 flag she constructed with help from her daughter, two neices and African American slaves flew proudly over Fort McHenry during of the Battle of Baltimore in 1814. A captive Francis Scott Key, while watching the battle from an enemy ship, saw the flag waving in the wind and it inspired him to pen the The Star-Spangled Banner. This flag currently resides in the Smithosian.

While scholars still debate what Betsy Ross's actual role was in the making of the first flag, if she indeed had one, seeing as the first flag resolution was passed in congress on June 14, 1777 {"Resolved. That the flag of the united states be 13 stripes alternate red and white, that the Union be 13 stars white in a blue field representing a new constellation"}, I would highly doubt Mary Pickersgill sewed the flag.

History does give her credit where it is due: she constructed the 30X42 flag by hand that flew over the Battle of Baltimore. When Francis Scott Key awoke the morning after the battle and saw that flag still waving proudly, those famous words were penned and that poem eventually became America's national anthem. For that, and that alone, Mary Pickersgill will go down in history.

[david murray]

While some view the story of Betsy Ross as nothing more than an embellished, feel-good legend, there are some solid facts that tend to support her claim that she did indeed sew the first American Flag.
Betsy was running an upholstery shop in Philadelphia in the spring of 1776. At this time, the Continental Congress was in session. It seems clear that Betsy knew George Washington, then head of the Continental Army. Her pew at Christ Church in Philadelphiawas right next to George and Martha Washington. and, according to her daughter, Betsy had done embroidery work for the General. According to Betsy and her family, a secret committe from the Continental Congress including General Washington and George Ross, the uncle of Betsy's late husband, paid her a visit and asked her to sew the first American Flag. The story seems quite reasonable and has the ring of truth considering her talents, and her relationship with both men. Washington's role seems clear: He was fighting the British in the Revolutionary War but still flying Britain's "Union Jack." Obviously he needed a new flag which would represent the 13 colonies and their fight for freedom.

[njpride]

The designer of the first official flag was New Jersey Congressman and Declaration of Independence signer Francis Hopkinson . The Hopkinson flag first flew over continental troops at the Middlebrook encampment in Bound Brook ,New Jersey in June of 1777 after it was adopted by Congress in that same month and year . The Betsy Ross story is a fable like Valley Forge . We all learned Valley Forge was the worst winter of the war but in fact it was the winter of 1779-80 . the army was at Jockey Hollow near Morristown N.J.This winter was after Valley Forge and it was the worst winter in nearly 100 years . Jockey Hollow became Americas first national historical park in 1933 , almost 40 years before Valley Forge became one .

[Desiree]

I have a silk flag with 39 stars. I would like to know when it was done. I know that is not a oficial flag, but I would like to have more information about.

[Katherine]

I have been following the original design controversy with some interest. Just a side note to throw in. Several years ago, while visiting my friend in Northampton, England, we toured the family home of George Washington. I do not know if Washington, himself , had ever been there, though I believe his older brothers had been in England. What I saw displayed on many of the windows was the family crest or shield. The lower half displayed vertical red and white stripes, while the upper half had a dark blue background and was covered in stars. A perfect example of the United States flag. I have never heard anyone comment that the flag bears so much resemblance to Washington's family crest. Any input?

[american_flag_uk]

i can answer your question about that 39 star flag. you keep that thing safe ok!! im on the lookout for one of those lol - can i ask what the star pattern is on your flag?? if u can take a picture of it and show it to me id like that too!

im 1877 there were 38 stars on the flag after the admission of colorado.
in 1889 the flag makers knew there would be a new state added so they set to work making 39 star flags- thinking that north dakota and south dakota would be admitted as one state. and of course in 1890, there were 3 more states added after the dakotas being montana washington and idaho, taking the number of stars to 43.