National Republican., 1881-10-29
A PRECIOUS RELIC
AT THE YORKTOWN CELEBRATION
Tho Starry Flag OF the Old bon Bommc Richard
A Son Of "A Midshipman Who Fought with
John Paul Jones Participated
In the Ceremonies.

Mr.. Samuel Bayard Stafford, who lives
In Prince Georges County, Maryland,a a few miles
from Washington, returned to his homo to-day
from Yorktown where he went 10 participate in
the centennial ceremonies. This old gentleman,
who Is over seventy years of age, and remarkably,
well preserved Is the youngest and only suryiv-
ing child OF james Bayard Stafford, of New Jersey
who was a midshpman in the navy sloop-of-war
Alliance during the revolution, and was on duty
on the Bon Homme Richard at the time the gal
liant John Paul Jones fought and defeated the
British frigote serapis of the English coast. Mid
shipman Stafford distinguished himself during
the famous sea-fght, aud after the war, December
0, 1854,
THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
at Philadelphia adopted resolution to bestow
upon him " for your merltorous services through
the late war Paul Jones starry nag OF the Bon
Homme Richard, which was transferred to the
Alliance, boarding sword of such ship, and
musquct captured from the Scraps" The family
of Midshipman Stafford have religiously preserved
these historical relics of the Revolution since his
death In 1888 at Trenton at the age Of ninety-eght
and at the Yorktown ceremonies the surviving
son displayed these relics. on showing them to
the French guests of the Nation they evinced
very great interest," aud several Of them reverently
kissed the old flag. Congress designated this nag
as " the starry" flag of Paul Jones, to distinguish
II from the famous rattlesnake" flag, which bore
the legend "Don't tread OIL me-" Midshipman
Stafford was married after the Revolution to Abb.
gail Smith, of Natiok, Mass who was the daughter
and granddaughter Of revolutionary soldiers. her
father dying from wounds received at tho battle
of White Plains.
HER GRANDFATHER WAS ENGAGED
at the battle of Lexington and was lieutenant at
the battle Of Bunker Hll. Mrs. Abigail Stafford
died at Trenton In 1861 at the advanced age OF
ninety-fve. AT her death the flag, sword, and
gun were willed to her unmarried daughter, Sarah
Smith Stafford, who, dying still unmarried, in
January, 1880. bequeathed these precious relies to
her aged brother. Mr.. Stailird states that he has
many times during his youth aud early manhood
heard his hero father fight over again his battles
on the and tell OF the wonderful deeds of dar
| ing performed by his great commander in the
| battle with the Scraps, and that he always de-
clnred that the sword which was selected from the
marine stores at Philadelphia and given him In
accordance with the resolution of the Continental
Congress, was the very one that Jones carried and
FOUGHT WITH on THE DECK
| of the Bon Homme Richard and wore at his belt
| when he was forced TO abandon his sinking ship
and transfer to his consort the Alliance. This flag
Is said by some writers to have been the first one
made after the present style Of the American flag
was adopted by Congress, ana Is certainly known
to have been the first one ever hosted officially.
II is six feet wide and was originally about fifteen
cCL long, but been long NJ Lc mercy OF pa
riotc relic hunters that Il has lost two yards Of
| length. The blue field, which Is about three feet
six inches square, bears twelve stars, representing
the colonies which had formally entered into the
confederation, the admission Of Georgia being rati
| fed u few months later than the time the iag was
made.
| NOT THE LEAST INTERESTING FACT
in connection with the flag is the part II performed
at the closing exercises Of the Centennial at Phil
| adelphia. II was the intention Of the committee
on that occasion to have had the flag unlured
| from the mast over the main exhibition hall, but
the rain changed the programme, and the display
| exercises were held from window directly over
President Grant and while Thomas orchestra was
playing "Amerlcn." OF this event the late Bayard
Taylor said IL was the most thrilling he had ever
Witnessed in all his travels. Sir Stafford North
cote recently wrote the London Daily 7ekgrdph the
following letter:
| SIN: Having read your article to-day on the flag
which once belonged 10 Paul Jones venture to ask
your permission 10 tell my story ~ rather greater
length than have hitherto done. should begin by
| saying that my information il derived from Mr..
samuel Bayard stafford, the present owner Of the
iag In question: and rom some extracts from Ameri-
can newspapers. The facts are as follows: When
the War Of Independence broke out Mr.. Samuel Staf
foris father, at The time engoged in business at New
york Idnea n smH crpiseE % that was n.tfd 4nt by
some damage on the British 1ndian trade, was cap
nrcd by an English vessel and the crew put IN irons
by Paul Jones abaut ten days before his action with
the scrapis III FlNti,ude TOR their dcyeranGe the
| easement between the Scraps and the Bon iIOmme
away from tho masthead Of The latter vessel Mr..
stafford icaped into the sea after IT, recoyeredi It. and
replaced II, being severely wounded while perform
| ing this action The iag which he had thus saved
WAS anerward presented to him by the committee OF
| Congress- and remained In his possession till his
death, In 1888. IL belongs TO his son. This ac.
count will show that while you are correct In saying
| the Bon HOmme Richard was never boarded, and
that Mr. stafford was not one of the crew of ship
II IL nevertheless the fact that as a volunteer that
| gentleman did save the flag In question, which
maintain TO be genuine relic of hstOi al Interest,
| / remain, sir, your Obedient servant,
| WALTER STAFFORD NORTHCOTE,
Board of Inland Revenue, Somerset House.
| -NeW York Herald Of october %.