The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1865-07-12
Origin of the Stars and Stripes.


From an exchange, published before
the war, We clip tho following article.
It possesses much historical interest, and
will doubtless have, to most Of our read
ers, the attraction Of novelty: -,
"Speculations have often been in
dulged in about the origin-that is from
whence came tho idea of the stars and
stripes composing our national flag
Whoever has an opportunity of examin-
ing the illustrious pedigree Of the Wash
ington family, will be struck with tho
idea in a moment that the coat of arms
of Washington furnished the flag Of the
country which his generalship made in.
dependent Of the lug of St. George, and
entitled to wear one Of her own. The
pedigree of General Washington, traced
and illuminated by Mr.. Gwit Maplcson,
carries back his descent to William dc
Hethurn, Lord of the Manor Of Wash
ingtop, in the county Of Durham, Eng.
land. From him descended John
Washington Of White6eld, 10 the time
of Richard III, and ninth in descent
from the said John, was George, the first
President Of the United States. The
mother of John Washington, who emf.
grated to Virginia in 1857, and who was
great. grandmother to the General, was
Eleanor Hastings, grand daughte to
Francis, second Earl Huntingdon. She
was the descendant, through Lady Hun.
tinsdon, of George, Duke Of Clarence;
brother of King Edward ", and King
Richard Ill, by Isabel Ncvil, daughter
and heiress Of Richard, Earl Of War.
wick, the Kingmaker. Washington,
therefore, as we'll as the descendants Of
that marriage, are entitled to quarter the
arms Of Hastiugs-Polc, Earl Of Sails
bury, Plantagnnet, Scotland, Mortimer,
Earl of March, Ncvil, Moutagu, Beau.
champ, Dcvcraux. The pedigree which
is full and accurate in regard to dates,
gives as it were, an cpitomc Of tho his
tory Of the family. 1t issurroundcd by
border, ornamentcd by the shields Of
arms, implanted by different ancestors
in right Of their wives, as we'll as some
oc the quartcriugs borne by their de-
scendants. The coat Of arms Of the first
John Washington was composed Of three
stars and three stripes, which form part
of all hcraldric bearings Of the family
ever since. George Washington was en-
titled to use his ensign upon flag ln
the army which he commanded; and in
all probability the first one ever made
| in America was composed Of three stars
and three stripes, which those who were
rcrsed in heraldry would at once recog-
nizc as the proper colors Of the Com
ma n dcr.in Chief Of the Revolutionary
army-the flag Of Washington. In time
ten other stars were added, and the flag
of Washington became the flag Of thir-
teen United Colonies. While indiVidu.
ais still live who might have seen the
6rst Washington standard unfurlcd, or
who helped to swell the shout that went
up to Heaven when the thirteen stars
were 6rst spread to the breeze over the
thirteen United States-behold the ig.
urcs arc transposcd-thirteen has chang.
cd to thirty-two-a en.fold multiplicity
from the origin Of the flag; and few are
aware, as they uncover the head to honor
the name Of Washington, and send up
shout after shout as the stars snd stripes
arc uururlcd to the breeze, that the flag
they adore is the flag Of the name they
would honor-thc stars and stripes of
the arms and standard Of Washington.
"Our flag is (stilD there" and the name
of its founder is still here, 10 our hearts
in the hearts Of all the people Of the
United States, over whom, until the name
is forgotten, may no other flag ever wave,
than the stars aud stripes Of Washing
ton.