The sun., 1879-06-22
THE FIRST FLAG or THE UNION
The Interesting Relies that are shown by
Interesting old Lady of Trenton.


1t is more than fifty years since the atten-
tion OF Trcntonians was first attracted by
bustlinR little lady who had just moved into that
town. Sarah Smith Stafford at the age Of ~ is
full OF the ardor Of revolutionary days Sho
was born in Allentown, n j.. but Trenton has
been her residence for half century. In con-
versation she is tho most arablo Of ladies'. tho
only difficulty being to follow the thread OF tho
narrative as her glib tongue runs over whole
volumes Of unwritten history. She first attract
ed attention in Washington by the persstency
with which she urged IA claim OF hers pending
before Congress- Although she met with many
rebuffs. nothing could suppress her. Con-
gress." said She will grow tired OF listening
before / become tired OF speaknR." So 1t hap
poned for at length Congress allowed her claim
OF $4,000 for pay said TO be due her father.
Lieut. stafford who served In tho Bon Homme
Richard. aud the little woman rejoiced.
Miss Staford's rooms are full of relics OF tho
Rey9lutien and earlier days; There is sword
10y Ephraim Bacon at the bHtte OF Bunker Hill;
an Indian hatchet. revolutionary canteens. can
worn ut the battle OF Lexington. a hnlt-gallon
measure owned by Miles Standish. and n scarf
and piece OF the court dress worn before the
King in England by his wife Mrs. Rose Stand
ish John Bnrry's letter OF recommendation TO
James Bayard Stafford. and manuscript which
contains the trial and court. martial OF Gen.
Arnold. nt Morristown, April. 1850. Tor embez;
element" There Is also n boarding sword used
10y John Paul Jones In the memorable engage
ment between the Sernpis and the Bon Homme
Richard. and nm English "musqut" captured
from the British frigate Scraps Sept %. l779
But the most precious treasure among Miss
Stafford relics Is the flag which led John Paul
Jones to bis most brilliant Victories. IL was in
rescuing these same Stars and Stripes from the
enemy's grasp that Lieut. Stafford won glory for
himself and laid the foundation for his daugh-
ter's claim. At present the nng Is eight feet
seven inches in length and six feet i've Inches
in width the edges, however, give evidence ot
having been conslderably diminished uy renc
| hunters. whom Miss Stafford chnractcri2es IA
more patriotic than honest" There are mir
teen stripes seven OF red and six OF white Upon
the white stripes in large letters. Is this inscrlp-
! tion: Flag OF the Bon HOmmc Richard and AL
! lance FrgAtes." The stars are white on blue
| field: they number only twelve. disposed In iour
before the adoption OF the national flag Ivy
| Congress. some ladies' in Philadelphia en-
| ployed their leisure hours in making nag.
| which they presented to the Board Of Marine.
| Although there were At this time hlrteen Sttes
| In the Union one Of them had not yet sub
| scrihed TO the articles Of confederation. and as
| AN odd star would destroy the regularity OF the
field the good ladies' of the Quaker CITY nserted
| only twelve stars in the nag which they made
| The Board OF Marine presented the nag 20 John
| Paul Jones who took It with him 70 the Ranger.
| II was aiterward transferred to tho frigate Al
! lance and continued to wave over the alternate
! fortunes OF our country ul ltsi. In that year
Board OF Marine resolved 10 present the hlstor C
| hag 70 Lieut.. James Bayard stafford. in ac-
! acknowledgements his meritOrtou- services dur-
| ing the war. The identity OF the mug. over which
there was some question, has been completely
settled. as well by the testimony OF those who
fought under il rs by the report submitted 10
| the House OF Representatives In April 1850. by
| the Committee on Revolutionary Claims.