Flags of the American Revolution

 

 

A few years ago I made this quilt featuring the flags of the American Revolution......in 2007 to be exact, as I have a pocket on the back with the following information about our initial fight for liberty in this country.

 

 

 

The variety of flags in this quilt shows the lack of uniformity in American Flags during the revolutionary period, as each group chose what flag they wanted to be used as its standard.

 

The Fort Moultrie Flag of 1776 was used by South Carolina's militia defending Fort Moultrie in Charelston Harbor.



 

This flag was flown at his ships masthead, while he was creating havoc on the high seas with his raids on British Merchant Marines.

 



 

The Cambridge Flag is believed to be the first flag of the U.S. Continental Army in Boston in 1776.

 



 

Don't Tread On Me...first flag of 1775 depicting the colonist's courage and fierce desire for independence.

 



 

Appeal To Heaven Flag was used by George Washington on his squadron of 6 schooners.  It came about because the 'Sons of Liberty' would rally under a large tree in Boston which came to be known as The Liberty Tree.  Knowing they were up against a great military power they believed they were sustained by a still greater power.

 



 

The Betsy Ross Flag...George Washington commissioned Betsy Ross to make this flag.  It flew during the first year of the United States before the official flag came about.

 

The Bennington Flag of 1777 flew over the military stores on Bennington Vermont on August 16, 1777  The American militia led by General John Stark defeated a large British raiding force, thus protecting the supplies.

Washington's Flag which was the personal flag of the commander in chief during the revolutionary war.

 



 

Bunker Hill flag...on the night of June 16-17, 1775, the American's fortified Breed's and Bunker hills overlooking Boston harbor.  When British advanced up the slope the next day they saw this flag flying.

 

The Guilford Flag of 1781...this flag was raised over the Guilford courthouse, North Carolina on March 15, 1781 under the leadership of General Greene whose militiamen halted the British advance.

 

Green Mountain Boys Flag was the flag flown in 1777 by the Green Mountain Boys of New Hampshire, thus the green flag with 13 stars signifying the unity of the 13 colonies in their struggle for independence.

 

I hope I haven't bored you with all of this information.....just a little background leading up to Independence Day.

 

"This above all - to thine own self be true, and it must follow as night follows day, thou canst not then be false to any man".  William  Shakespeare