Unveiling the Legends: The Colorful History of Unofficial American Flags

Think of the American flag, and you'll likely envision white stars on a blue field, juxtaposed with red and white stripes. However, beyond this iconic imagery lies a tapestry of lesser-known flags flown, either in part or in whole, to represent our nation. These flags feature symbols like rattlesnakes, pine trees, and even unconventional blue stripes. Join me as we unravel the tales behind these intriguing emblems of America's diverse history.

Betsy Ross Flag: Sewing the Seeds of Liberty

 Betsy Ross House, "Flag room", Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Public Domain Image

Our journey through time begins in 1776, a pivotal year in American history. Legend has it that three notable figures—George Washington, commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and later the first President of the United States; Robert Morris, a prominent financier of the Revolution and signatory of the Declaration of Independence; and George Ross, a delegate to the Continental Congress and uncle of Betsy Ross—approached the skilled seamstress Betsy Ross to create a flag for the fledgling nation. Betsy Ross, known for her expertise in upholstery and flag-making, crafted what many hail as the first American flag, though it never received official status. The Betsy Ross flag featured 13 stars meticulously arranged in a circle, symbolizing unity among the original colonies. According to popular lore, Betsy suggested using five-pointed stars instead of the more complex six-pointed variety, making them easier to cut—a design choice that endures in the stars of today's American flag.

You're correct in noting the chronological overlap between the Betsy Ross flag and the Revolutionary War era. To maintain clarity and continuity in your blog post, it would be more accurate to transition differently. Here's a revised version that aligns with the chronological flow while avoiding redundancy:

Gadsden Flag: Don't Tread on Me!

Gadsen Flag; Christopher Gadsden (1724–1805), Lexicon, Vikrum, Public domain image

Continuing our journey of discovery, we find a distinctive banner stirring attention. Named after Christopher Gadsden, a patriot and delegate from South Carolina to the Continental Congress, this flag features a coiled rattlesnake, poised and ready to strike, against a bold yellow field. Below the snake, the motto "Don't Tread on Me" boldly defies British oppression and warns off all who dare challenge the spirit of liberty.

The Gadsden Flag was primarily used by the Continental Marines and Navy during the American Revolution, symbolizing American naval and maritime strength. Persisting beyond its historical roots, the Gadsden Flag remains a potent symbol today. It is often employed to signify a commitment to individual liberties and resistance against government overreach.

Bennington Flag: Ringing in Independence!

Image of Bennington Flag Courtesy of Makaristos, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Continuing our exploration of American flags, we encounter another significant symbol from the Revolutionary War era. Named after the pivotal Battle of Bennington in 1777, this flag embodies the spirit of independence and resilience. The battle led to a decisive American victory, boosting morale, securing crucial supplies, and significantly advancing the momentum of the American Revolution. The Bennington Flag displays the year "76" in the canton, commemorating the Declaration of Independence. The exact symbolism of the stars on the Bennington flag is not definitively documented in historical sources, but they are thought to represent the original thirteen colonies that declared independence from Britain in 1776. The stars alongside "76" visually reinforce the theme of American independence and unity among the colonies during the Revolutionary War era. The positioning of two stars in the upper corners of the canton is unique among historical American flags. The Bennington Flag remains an enduring symbol of the early struggle for American independence and is celebrated for its historical significance and patriotic symbolism. Today, the Bennington Flag remains a powerful symbol of American heritage, reminding us of the enduring values that shaped our nation.

First Navy Jack: A Salute to Naval Valor

Image of First Navy Jack courtesy of Petty Officer 2nd Class Steven L. Shepard, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

As we delve further into American history, the young United States Navy proudly raised the First Navy Jack aboard its ships. This distinctive flag featured 13 horizontal red and white stripes to honor the original thirteen colonies and prominently displayed an uncoiled rattlesnake alongside the powerful slogan "Don't Tread on Me." The rattlesnake, a native American species known for its defensive nature and lethal strike, symbolized the resolve and readiness of the American Navy to defend its interests at sea.

While the Gadsden flag and the First Navy Jack both feature a rattlesnake and the motto "Don't Tread on Me," they have different designs and historical contexts. The Gadsden flag shows a coiled snake on a yellow background, while the First Navy Jack has red and white stripes like the national flag, with an uncoiled snake. These flags were used in different ways during early American history. The First Navy Jack was flown by the U.S. Navy in the early years of the Revolutionary War, showing defiance against British rule and a commitment to protecting American maritime interests. The Gadsden flag became a symbol of American independence and resistance, used widely by military units and civilians during the revolution.

The First Navy Jack not only represented naval strength but also stood for protecting American sovereignty at sea. Its legacy lives on in U.S. Navy traditions, reminding us of the courage of early American sailors who fought for freedom.

Serapis Flag: Victorious Valor at Sea

A painting, currently at the Chicago History Museum, depicting a sketch of the flag flown from prize HMS Serapis as Capt. John Paul Jones sailed into Texel, Holland following the Battle of Flamborough Head in mid-Sept. 1779. The flag features 8-sided stars and blue stripes, similar to a design favored by Benjamin Franklin, a friend of Jones.: Courtesy of Erulabs, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Picture the scene: During the Revolutionary War, John Paul Jones stands aboard the captured British ship HMS Serapis, proudly raising the Serapis Flag. With its design featuring 13 stars and stripes, this flag boldly declares American victory over British naval forces and symbolizes the triumph of American courage and tenacity in the face of formidable odds—a moment etched forever in the annals of American naval history.

Jones' raising of the Serapis Flag was a pivotal moment that symbolized more than just a military victory. It represented a significant turning point in the Revolutionary War, showcasing American resolve and ingenuity at sea. The capture of HMS Serapis and the hoisting of the Serapis Flag demonstrated the fledgling nation's capability to challenge and overcome powerful adversaries, bolstering morale and international recognition of America's determination for independence.

The Serapis Flag, a powerful symbol of American independence and victory, holds significance as a historical artifact commemorating the courage and resilience of early American sailors.

1776 Flags: United in Revolution

The Betsy Ross Flag is a famous example of a 1776 Flag.

During the American Revolutionary War era, the term "1776 flag" usually referred to flags featuring 13 stars and stripes. Since there wasn't a standard national flag yet, patriotic flags came in all sorts of designs. They were crafted by local communities, militias, and folks showing their support for the revolution against British rule. Some flags had stars in circles, rows, or other arrangements, with stripes of different patterns. Each design symbolized the unity and determination of the American colonies fighting for independence.

Appeal to Heaven Flag: Pine Tree of Freedom

1885 Illustration from an old High School textbook, titled "History of the US". Shows the "Appeal to Heaven" pine tree flag sometimes used by New England ships; public domain image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

During the American Revolution, a distinctive flag emerged with a white field adorned by a prominent pine tree and the bold inscription "An Appeal to Heaven." This flag became a poignant symbol of the colonists' fervent plea for divine intervention in their struggle for freedom and justice. The imagery of the pine tree, a towering symbol of endurance and resilience, reflected the colonists' belief in their righteous cause against British tyranny.

The phrase "An Appeal to Heaven" encapsulated their conviction that their fight for independence was not just a political endeavor but a moral imperative sanctioned by higher principles. By invoking heaven's support, the flag embodied the colonists' faith and determination in the face of adversity. Raised defiantly above the colonies, it served as a rallying symbol, inspiring patriots and uniting communities in their quest for liberty.

The flag's significance extended beyond its visual representation; it symbolized the spiritual and ideological foundation of the American Revolution. It reinforced the colonists' resolve to persevere against overwhelming odds, trusting in divine providence to guide them through the trials of war and towards a future of self-determination.

Final Thoughts from Janalyn Voigt

From the sewing rooms of Betsy Ross to the decks of a captured British ship, these unofficial American flags reflect the unyielding spirit of liberty that defines the American identity. They remind us that the journey to independence and unity is woven with countless threads of bravery and sacrifice.

Let us celebrate the diverse tapestry of American history and honor the men and women who have bravely stood for freedom throughout the ages. Their stories live on in these flags, fluttering proudly as symbols of our shared heritage and enduring commitment to freedom.

About Janalyn Voigt

Janalyn Voigt fell in love with literature at an early age when her father read chapters from classics as bedtime stories. When Janalyn grew older, she put herself to sleep with tales "written" in her head. Today Janalyn is a storyteller who writes in several genres. Romance, mystery, adventure, history, and whimsy appear in all her novels in proportions dictated by their genre.

Learn more about Janalyn Voigt and the books she writes.

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Sewing Together A Nation by Cindy Regnier

 

In our elementary school history lessons, we all heard the account of a patriot by the name of Betsy Ross making the first American flag in 1776. True story. Maybe. No one is entirely sure. Let’s explore it a bit.

No one outside her circle of family, friends and acquaintances ever heard the name of Elizabeth Griscom Ross during her lifetime. The story of her flag creation was first told to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania almost a century later in 1870 by William Canby, Betsy’s grandson

 Canby declared that his grandmother had frequently told him the story of receiving a visit from General George Washington in the spring of 1776.Washington’s purpose in calling on the widow of John Ross was to present her with a drawing of a flag with 13 red and white stripes and 13 six pointed stars, asking is she would be willing to craft a flag matching the design. After studying Washington’s sketch, Betsy recommended arranging the stars in a circle and reducing the points to five instead of 6 because the cloth could be folded and cut out with a single snip. (Charles Wilson Peale’s 1779 painting of George Washington following the 1777 Battle of Princeton features a flag with six-pointed stars.)  When Washington agreed, Ross consented to sew the banner. A year later in June of 1777, Congress officially adopted the design as the country’s emblem.

No official documentation has been discovered that confirms Betsy’s creation, however it is widely believed that her deceased husband’s uncle George Ross, a signer of The Declaration of Independence, recommended her to Washington for the task. Mrs. Ross was likely acquainted with Washington who is said to have attended the same church as Betsy’s family. Further, it is documented by receipts from the Pennsylvania Navy Board that Ross did make flags in ship colors. It may even be that Ross had a part in coming up with the name “United States of America,” though there is no evidence to support that claim. Ross’s daughter, niece and granddaughter all collaborated Canby’s story with signed affidavits published in Harper’s New Monthly Magazine in 1873. From there, the story’s journey to the American history books was quickly completed.

Betsy would have been quite young at the creation of the flag. Records show that she married in 1773 at the age of 21, eloping with John Ross, the son of an Episcopal rector. Her marriage resulted in her expulsion from the Quaker church. Undaunted, the Rosses started their own upholstery shop, and John joined the military. He died after only two years of marriage. In June 1777, Betsy married Joseph Ashburn, a sailor, and gave birth to two daughters. He died In 1782 in a British prison. A year later, Betsy married John Claypoole, a man she had known in Philadelphia’s Quaker community who had been imprisoned in England with Ashburn. They went on to have five daughters. Over the next decades, Betsy Claypoole and her daughters sewed upholstery and made flags, banners and standards for the new nation. She died in 1836, at age 84.

 So, what do you think? Is the evidence enough to establish that Betsy Ross did indeed make the first flag? Perhaps it doesn’t really matter if her story is legend or fact. American children still grow up learning about her contribution to American independence. On January 2, 1952, the Betsy Ross stamp was issued to celebrate the 200-year anniversary of her birth. It featured an image of Ross and the flag on her lap. Good enough for me. Way to sew, Betsy!

Scribbling in notebooks has been a habit of Cindy Regnier since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Born and raised in Kansas, she writes stories of historical Kansas, especially the Flint Hills area where she spent much of her childhood. Her experiences with the Flint Hills setting, her natural love for history, farming and animals, along with her interest in genealogical research give her the background and passion to write heart-fluttering historical romance.