Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-06-28
The First Flag Of the Union.
THE INTERESTING RELICS THAT ARE SNOWY nv

u
THE INTERESTING RELICS THAT ARE SHOWN nv
AN INTERESTING OLD LADY OF TRENTON.
II is now more than nifty years since the At
tentton OF Trentenians was first attracted by
that town. Sarah Smith STAFFORD, at the age of
q, Is full OF the ardor OF revolutionary DAYS.
She was born In Allentown, N. j., but Trenton
conversation she Is the most affable of ladies'
the only difficulty being to follow the thread OF
the narrative, as her glib tongue runs over
Whole volumes OF unwritten history. She first
attracted attention In washington by the per-
s;stency with which she urged claim OF hers
pending before Congress. Although she met
with many rebufIs, nothing could suppress her.
listening before 1 become tired OF speaking
so II happened; for at length Congress allowed
heI claim OF $500 for pay said to be due her
Homme Richard, and the little woman rejoiced.
Miss Stanord's rooms are full OF relics OF the
revolution ana earlier days. There is a sword
by Ephraim Bacon at the battle OF Bunker HlIt
an Indian Ratchet, revolutionary canteens can
non balls from the battle OF Trenton, stfrruns
measure owned by Miles Standish, and Sc rf
and piece OF the court dress worn before he
king IN England by his wife, Mrs Rose Sta d
James Bayard stafford, and manuscript VIII Oh
contains the trial and court martial OF Cen.
Arnold. at Monfstown, April, 1880, for emhez-
by John Paul Jones In the memorable enpsce e.
ment between the Scraps and the Bon Hon me-
Richard, and an English "musQuit," captm ed
from the British frigate scraps, september Is,
But the most precious treasure among Miss
Stanords relics Is the nag which led John Paul
Jones to his most brilliant victories II Was in
reScuing these same Stars and Stripes from the
ehemys grasp that Lieut.. Stafford won glory
for himself and laid the foundation for his
feet seven inches In length and six feet live
inches In width: the edges, however give evf-
0ence OF having been considerably diminished
oy relic hunter, whom Miss stafford charac.
terizes as ''more patriotic than honest" There
are thirteen stripes, seven OF red and six OF
white. Upon the white stripes, In large letters,
Is this Inscription: "Flag or the Bon Hommie
Richard and Alliance Fngates." The stars are
white on blue field; they number only twelve,
disposed In four parallel rows.
Before the adoption OF the national flag by
Congress- some ladies In Philadelphia employed
their leisure hours in making flag, which they
presented TO the board OF marine. Although
there were at this time thirteen states In the
union, one OF them had not yet subscribed TO
would destroy the regularity OF the field, the
good ladies OF the Quaker City inserted only
twelve stars In the flag which they made The
board OF marine presented the flag TO John Paul
Jones, who took IL with him to the Ranger. It
was afterward transferred TO the frigate Al
liaance, and continued TO wave over the alter
nate fortunes OF our country till 11s4. In that
year the Alliance was sold TO Robert Morris, and
the board OF marine resolved TO present the
historic flag TO Lieut., Jas: Bayard Stafford, in
during the war. The identity OF the flag, over
which there was some question, has been COM
pletely settled, as well by the testimony of
those who fought under 1t as by the report sub.
April, 1860, by the committee on revolutionary
claims.