FLAG MATERIALS HISTORY
The flag construction is of materials used more commonly prior to the invention of the cottin gin, in 1794. The wool bunting making up the stripes, was widely used in flag making of the era because of it's durability. This was often from Scotland, and/or English textile mills. The U.S. had yet to develop the cotton economy that would result in the cottin gin patent, transform the Southern economy, and entrench slavery. The flag consists of an Eagle-In-Canton presidential shield, surmounted by a curved row of thirteen stars.
STARS & BARS
The placement and uniformity of the flag's stars are also subject to research, it is suggested it was Betsy Ross who would create uniformity in the size of the stars in the field of blue. The 13 stars suggest the 13 colonies. One of the major obstacles the family has faced is the Smithsonian has no flags made of textiles old enough, and comparable to the Gopher flag. This has forced the family to get creative on approaching flag history research.
HAND STITCHED BEAUTY
One exciting avenue the family hopes to pursue is a suggestion by University of Great Falls History Professor, David Bibb--is to go further in depth to examine the stitching techniques used in making the flag. It is hand stitched. Historians in the past have used stitching techniques to identify seamstress methods by region, as is the case in WWI, the stitching used on some German uniforms would be used to identify what region the troops originated. It was found stitching was often a regional or family taught technique. This may some day shed light on the maker of the flag.
WHO MADE 13 STAR OLD GLORY?
The family would like to some day compare the stitching of the flag to existing samples of Mrs. Betsy Ross, for instance, the Schuyler flag in Fort Ticonderoga, or the large, and recently conserved original Star Spangled Banner--this flag was constructed by Mary Pickersgill and flew over Fort McHenry in the War of 1812. This may or may not be conclusive as Pickersgill was born in 1776, but her mother, Rebecca Young, was also a flag maker. The stitching techniques may be similar enough to draw some preliminary conclusions.
The grommets are hand stitched. This suggests construction period consistent with the Revolutionary era. Later, and leading up to the Civil War, flags bore metal grommets. The hand stitched grommets suggest an early flag maker, consistent with the entire flag's construction, There is a piece of buckskin on the uppermost grommet, reflecting the flag was used in the manner oral history suggests. This history states the flag was flown over our band's camp to reflect it was a friendly Indian camp.
REVERSE APPLIQUE CONSTRUCTION
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