A History of American Flags,
The Old Trunk Keeps Giving,
An Old Chest and It's Treasures, Part 3
A History of American Flags, The Old Trunk Keeps Giving, An Old Chest and it's Treasures, Part 3
One more time I must refer to the old trunk from the root cellar at the old Orcutt Homestead. It seems I keep going back to it. I have a few more clues for you regarding the age of the trunk. I held out several items from the trunk so they could be cleaned. I am still amazed at how many things were stored in this old stage coach style trunk.
It just keeps giving. So, the last item is a collection of United States Flags. Small flags that were used for ceremony or parades. Do you remember the little flags adults and children alike would wave during a parade or holiday? Those. Except, they are not official flags of the U.S. Although the right number of stars appeared on the flag, they were not placed in the official order. Perhaps the manufacturers didn’t know the correct configuration and I’m sure it was very confusing at times. But remember, in the 19th century, new states were being added often, and so new flags would be made for celebrations.
There were five flags altogether. Sizes ranging from 5 x 8 inches to 12 x 22 inches. I hand washed each one allowing them to air dry, ironed and starched them. Placed them on poster board and covered them with a thin film of plastic for display. Eventually they will be stored in acid free tissue paper and archival boxes.
The first of five was called The Star Spangled Banner: The 15-star, 15-stripe flag was created by the Flag Act of May 1,1795, adding 2 stripes and 2 stars. This flag was the only U.S. Flag to have more than 13 stripes. It was immortalized by Francis Scott Key during the bombardment of Fort McHenry, Sept 13, 1814.[1] January 13, 1794, President George Washington signed the law adding two stars and two stripes to the U.S. flag. Two stars were added for the admission of Vermont (the 14th State on March 4th, 1791) and Kentucky (the 15th State on June 1st, 1792, and was to last for 23 years. The five Presidents who served under this flag were; George Washington (1789-1797), John Adams (1797-1801), Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809), James Madison (1809-1817), and James Monroe (1817-1825).[2]
Next are two flags with 36 stars each. This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1865. A star was added for the admission of Nevada (October 31st, 1864) and was to last for only 2 years. The only President to serve under this flag was Andrew Johnson (1865-1869).[3]
Then we have a 38 star flag. This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1877. A star was added for the admission of Colorado (August 1st 1876) and was to last for 13 years. The five Presidents to serve under this flag were; Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881), James A. Garfield (1881), Chester A. Arthur (1881-1885), Grover Cleveland (1885-1889), and Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893).[4]
The last flag has 45 stars. This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1896. A star was added for the admission of Utah on January 4th, 1896, and was to last for 12 years. The Presidents to serve under this flag were Grover Cleveland (1893-1897), William McKinley (1897-1901), and Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909).[5]
I was surprised to learn while researching the flags that the United States has actually had 27 flag variations as the county grew to the 50 states we have today. I think it is very interesting to find these small flags packed among personal belongings. They must have meant a good deal to the owners to be kept, and in quite good condition. This old trunk proved to be a time capsule of an era gone by. I believe the 15 star flag would have been a novelty rather than a new flag to celebrate in their lifetime, unless it was handed down from a relative. We will never know to which family member the flags belonged. What a time period it was to have states entering the union from the wild, wild, west. An exciting time, indeed!
Mary Ellen Kunst, Historian, Town of Chemung
May 23, 2020
[1] http//Mildred Fillmore’s Bathtub, https://timpanogos.blog/2008/01/13/15-stars-15-
[2] https://www.chamberofcommerce.org/usflag/the.15.star.flag.html
[3] https://www.chamberofcommerce.org/usflag/history/the36starflag.html
[4] https://www.chamberofcommerce.org/usflag/the.38.star.flag.html
[5] https://www.chamberofcommerce.org/usflag/the.45.star.flag.html
Links to the previous stories of the old trunk: