15 Star Flag
In 1795, Kentucky was celebrated as the 15th state on the second United States Flag. This flag displayed 15 stars and 15 stripes and was the official US flag from 1795-1818. It was the 15 star flag flying over Ft. McHenry that inspired Frances Scott Key to pen
our national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner, in 1814. We strive to honor the artisans of this historic time as we craft our fine aged whiskeys today.
1793–1794 Senate & Congress Journals
Extremely rare 1793/1794 Journals of the First Session of the Third Congress of the United States record the process of establishing the 15 star flag.
Gallery
Senate & Congress Journals
Extremely rare 1793/1794 Journals of the First Session of the Third Congress of the United States record the process of establishing the 15 star flag.
In December, 1793, the Senate convened the First Session of the Third Congress of the United States. These are rare official journals, including the Senate Journal, of which only 600 copies were printed for official distribution and published by John Fenno, “Printer to the SENATE of the UNITED STATES” in 1793.
The Senate Journal of the 3rd Congress begins the process of establishing the 15 star flag:
Monday, December 23, 1793 – “Mr. Bradley notified the Senate that on Wednesday next he should move for leave to bring in a bill for altering the flag of the United States.”
Thursday, December 26, 1793 – “Agreeable to the notice given on the 23rd instant Mr. Bradley obtained leave to bring in a bill, making an alteration in the flag of the United States – and the bill was read the first time.
Ordered, that this bill pass to the second reading”
Friday, December 27, 1793 – “The Senate proceeded to the second reading of the bill making an alteration in the flag of the United States, and having amended the same,
Ordered, that this bill pass to the third reading”
Monday, December 30, 1793 – “The bill making an alteration in the flag of the United States was read the third time.
Resolved, That this bill pass, that the title thereof be, ‘An Act making an alteration in the flag of the United States,’ that it be engrossed, and that the secretary desire the concurrence of the House of Representatives therein.”
On New Years Eve, 1794, the official Journal of the House of Representatives of the First Session of the Third Congress, also printed in only 600 copies, picks up the issue.
Tuesday, December 31, 1793 – “A message from the Senate, by Mr. Otis, their Secretary.
Mr. Speaker – The Senate has passed a bill entitled ‘An Act making an alteration in the Flag of the United States,’ to which they desire the concurrence of this House: And then he withdrew.
The said bill was read the first time. On motion,
The said bill was read the second time, and ordered to be committed to a committee of the whole House, on Monday next.”
Tuesday, January 7, 1794 – “The House according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a committee of the whole house, on the bill sent from the Senate, entitled, ‘A bill making an alteration in the flag of the United States;’ and after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Trumble reported, that the committee had, according to order, had the said bill under consideration, and made no amendment thereto.
Ordered, that the bill be read the third time tomorrow.”
Wednesday, January 8, 1794 – “The bill sent from the Senate, entitled, ‘An Act making an alteration in the flag of the United States,’ was read the third time;
And the question on the same do pass:
It was resolved in the affirmative. Yeas 50. Nays 42.
The yeas and nays being demanded of one fifth of the members present;
Those who voted in the affirmative are;
(The House Journal lists the names of the 50 Congressmen voting Yea)
Those who voted in the negative are;
(The House Journal lists the names of the 42 Congressmen voting Nay)
Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do acquaint the Senate herewith.”
“On Motion,
Ordered, That Mr. Peter Muhlenberg and Mr. New, be appointed for a committee for enrolled bills, on the part of this House, jointly which shall be appointed for that purpose, on the part of the Senate.
Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do acquaint the Senate therewith.”
Then back to the Senate Journal of 1794:
Wednesday, January 8, 1794 –
“Mr. President,
The House of Representatives have passed the bill sent from the Senate for concurrence, entitled, ‘An Act making an alteration in the Flag of the United States.’
They have appointed a joint committee for enrolled bills on the part of the house and desire the concurrence of the Senate and the appointment of a joint committee, on their part.
And he withdrew.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the order of the House of Representatives last mentioned, for the appointment of a joint committee–and
Ordered, That Mr. Vining be the committee on the part of the Senate.
Ordered, That the Secretary notify the House of Representatives of the concurrence of the Senate in their order.
After the consideration of the executive business,
The Senate adjourned to 11 o’clock to-morrow morning.”
Back to the Journal of the House of Representatives of 1794:
Thursday, January 9, 1794 – “A message from the Senate, by Mr. Otis their Secretary.
Mr. Speaker—The Senate has appointed Mr. Vining, on their part, of a committee for enrolled bills:
And then he withdrew.”
“Mr. Peter Muhlenberg, from the committee for enrolled bills, reported, that the committee had examined an enrolled bill, entitled, ‘an Act making an alteration in the Flag of the United States,’ and had found the same to be truly enrolled: Whereupon,
Mr. Speaker signed the enrolled bill.
Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do acquaint the Senate herewith.”
Later that day:
“Mr. Peter Muhlenberg, from the joint committee for enrolled bills, reported, that the committee did, this day, wait on the President of the United States, and present for his approbation, an enrolled bill entitled, ‘An Act making an alteration in the Flag of the United States.”
Back to the Journal of the Senate for 1794:
Thursday, January 9, 1794 – “Mr. Vining reported from the committee for enrolled bills, That they had examined the bill, entitled, ‘An act making an alteration in the Flag of the United States,’ and that it was duly enrolled.
Mr. Beckley, the Clerk of the House of Representatives brought up the last-mentioned enrolled bill, signed by the Speaker, And he withdrew.
The Vice-President signed the said enrolled bill, and it was delivered to the committee to be laid before the President of the United States for his approbation.
Mr. Vining from the committee last mentioned, reported, that they had this day laid the said enrolled bill before the President of the United States.
Monday, January 13, 1794 – “Mr. Dandridge notified the Senate that the President of the United States hath this day approved and signed a bill which originated in the Senate, entitled, ‘An Act making an alteration in the Flag of the United States.’
Ordered, That the Secretary acquaint the House of Representatives therewith.”
And finally, back to the Journal of the House of Representatives of 1794:
Tuesday, January 14, 1794 – “A Message from the Senate, by Mr. Otis their Secretary.
Mr. Speaker—I am directed to inform this House, that the President of the United States did, yesterday, approve and sign an act, which originated in the Senate, intitled, ‘An Act making an alteration in the Flag of the United States:” And then he withdrew.”
Also in the 15 STARS collection is a rare, original printing of the official 1794 publication “Acts Passed at the Third Congress of the United States of America” which outlines in greater detail, the bill as the first act of the Third Congress which reads:
“CHAPTER 1
An ACT making an alteration in the Flag of the United States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That from and after the first day of May anno domini one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five, that the Flag of the United States, be 15 stripes alternate red and white, That the union be 15 stars, white in a blue field.
FREDERICK AUGUSTUS MULENBURG,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
JOHN ADAMS
Vice President of the United States, and President of the Senate.
Approved—January the 13th, 1794.
GEORGE WASHINGTON,
President of the United States.”
Flag Act of 1794
This rare first printing of the Acts Passed at the Third Congress of the United States from 1794 prints The Flag Act of 1794 authorizing the 15 star US Flag.
GalleryFlag Act of 1794
This rare first printing of the Acts Passed at the Third Congress of the United States from 1794 prints The Flag Act of 1794 authorizing the 15 star US Flag.
This rare Acts of the Third Congress of the United States was printed in 1794 by Francis Childs and John Swaine and is one of the few remaining copies from an authorized printing of only 600 copies. This copy was found in Marseilles, France. The first act of the First Session of the Third Congress on January 13, 1794 records the Flag Act which revised the flag of the United States from the original 13 stars and 13 stripe flag to the flag of 15 stars and 15 Stripes. This second flag of the United States recognized Vermont and Kentucky as new states, with Kentucky as the 15th. This flag is the only US flag to have other than the traditional 13 stripes. The bound volumes of the Acts of Congress, issued at the end of each session by Childs & Swaine were produced in only 600 copies to be distributed to the members of congress, to government officials in each state, and to certain foreign governments, with no copies printed for public purchase.
Rare Newspaper Flag Act Printing
Boston newspaper publishes the Flag Act of 1794, establishing the US 15 star flag.
GalleryRare Newspaper Flag Act Printing
A rare Columbian Centinel newspaper from Boston, dated Wednesday February 5, 1794 publishes the Flag Act of 1794 establishing the 15 star US Flag.
As a part of publishing the Laws of the United States, this extremely rare printing of the Columbian Centinel from February 5, 1794 reports the passing of “An Act Making an Alteration in the Flag of the United States.”
The act further reads “Be it enacted by the Senate and the Houfe of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congrefs affembled, That from and after the firft day of May Anno Domini one thoufand feven hundredand ninety five, the Flag of the United States, be fifteen ftripes alternate red and white. That the Union be fifteen ftars, white in a blue field.” The act is further signed in print by Francis Muhlenberg as Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Adams as Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate, and George Washington as President of the United States.
1794 Coopers Certificate
This Coopers Society Certificate from New York City in 1794 celebrates coopers, or barrel makers, with a ship flying the 15 star US flag.
Gallery1794 Coopers Certificate
This Coopers Society Certificate from New York City in 1794 celebrates coopers, or barrel makers, with a ship flying the 15 star US flag.
This rare New York Coopers Society membership certificate from 1794 is the earliest remaining record of the Coopers Society. It contains one of the very earliest renderings of the United States 15 star flag ever recorded. The 15 star flag, representing the addition of Vermont and Kentucky as new states had been approved by Congress only six months earlier than this certificate is dated and precedes its official acceptance as the flag of the US in May of 1795. This certificate celebrates the artisan coopers who crafted the barrels which were so important to storage and shipping of goods, including whiskey. This certificate is also absolutely full of icons and representations of early America and the new republic. The engraver, William Rollinson, also a silversmith, was an accomplished craftsman of his time and produced the buttons for George Washington’s coat worn at his inauguration in 1789. The still bright colors were added by Ignatius Shnydore, an artist and craftsman who worked in NYC from 1788 to 1794.
1817 Flag Report
The report of the congressional committee appointed to Inquire into the expediency of altering the flag of the United States, January 2, 1817.
Gallery1817 Flag Report
The report of the congressional committee appointed to Inquire into the expediency of altering the flag of the United States, January 2, 1817.
This report of the select committee of the US Congress House of Representatives from 1817 is the sole printing of this committee report. It represents the process involved in moving from the 15 star and 15 stripe US flag to the adoption of the US flag as 13 stripes to represent each of the original colonies, and one white star in a blue field for each state fully admitted to the union. This is a landmark piece of Americana which marks the process for a change from the 15 star and 15 stripe US flag to the current flag design which we know today.
1818 Flag Report
The report of the congressional committee appointed to Inquire into the expediency of altering the flag of the United States, January 6, 1818.
Gallery1818 Flag Report
The report of the congressional committee appointed to Inquire into the expediency of altering the flag of the United States, January 6, 1818.
This rare report from the select committee of the US Congress House of Representatives in 1818 affirms the report of the select committee of 1817 and led to the modification to the U.S. flag of 13 stripes to represent each of the original colonies with the addition of one white star in a blue field for each state admitted to the union. Affirming this report, Congress enacted the Flag Act of 1818 on April 4th of 1818, changing the 15 star and 15 stripe US flag to the current design which we know today.
Star Spangled Banner, November 1814
Recounting the story of the most famous 15 star flag in Frances Scott Key’s song.
GalleryStar Spangled Banner, November 1814
A rare Columbian Centinel newspaper from Boston, dated Wednesday February 5, 1794 publishes the Flag Act of 1794 establishing the 15 star US This printing of the Star Spangled Banner, recounting the story of the most famous 15 star flag, was one of the earliest printings of Francis Scott Key’s famous song.
The Star Spangled Banner flag is the most famous 15 star flag of all time. One of less than 10 original 15 star flags still known to exist, the Star Spangled Banner flag is on display at the Smithsonian in the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.
The flag, made in 1813 by Mary Pickersgill, became famous as the flag at Fort McHenry in the Baltimore harbor during the bombardment of the fort by the British on the evening of September 13, 1814. The printing of Francis Scott Key’s poem originally called Defense of Fort McHenry was set to the tune of Anacreon in Heaven and ultimately became our National Anthem.
The Kentucky origins of this particular volume are evidenced by the printing being made available for purchase in Kentucky through Willian Essex in Lexington, John Lisle in Paris, and David Neiss in Frankfort. This particular volume has Kentucky provenance with the ownership signature of Leslie Combs on the front pastedown. Combs was a lawyer and politician from Kentucky who served under William Henry Harrison and Green Clay during the War of 1812, and who was captured in 1813. He later served as Speaker of the House in the Kentucky House of Representatives. His eldest son was Leslie Combs II, Lexington horse breeder and diplomat who was Minister to Guatemala, Honduras, and Peru under the administration of Theodore Roosevelt.
Printed in Philadelphia by Moses Thomas in 1814, this First Edition in hardcover is covered in contemporary half red morocco leather and marbled boards with a gilt-lettered spine and contains 524 pages. It is illustrated with an engraved title page and 5 engraved portraits of Lord Byron, Joel Barlow, General Winfield Scott, Captain David Porter, and General Zebulon Pike. It includes the first appearance of “The Star Spangled Banner,” here titled “Defence of Fort McHenry,” in any publication other than a few early newspaper appearances.
“The Star-Spangled Banner” was recognized for official use by the Navy in 1889 and the President in 1916, and was made the national anthem by a congressional resolution on 3 March 1931. Although the song has four stanzas, only the first is commonly sung today. The fourth stanza includes the line “And this be our motto: In God is our Trust.” The United States adopted “In God We Trust” as its national motto in 1956.
The section begins with the background of Key’s adventure leading to the song as follows:
“These lines have been already published in several of our newspapers; they may still, however, be new to many of our readers. Besides we think their merit entitles them to preservation in some more permanent form than the columns of a daily paper. The annexed song was composed under the following circumstances—A gentleman had left Baltimore (Franis Scott Key), in a flag of truce for the purpose for getting released from the British fleet a friend of his who had been captured at Marlborough.
He went as far as the mouth of the Pautuxent, and was not permitted to return lest the intended attack on Baltimore should be disclosed. He was, therefore, brought up the bay to the mouth of the Patapsen, where the flag vessel was kept under the guns of a frigate, and he was compelled to witness the bombardment of Fort McHenry, which the Admiral had boasted he would carry in a few hours, and that the city must fall. He watched the flag at the fort though the whole day with an anxiety that can be better felt than described, until the night prevented him from seeing it. In the night he watched the bombshells, and at early dawn his eye was again greeted by the proudly waving flag of his country.”
The song set to the tune of Anacreon in Heaven contains four verses of which the first is widely sung.
O! say can you see, by the dawns early light,
What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watch’d, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there—
O! say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Coat of Arms With 15 Star Flag
This rare hand-painted Bradford family coat of arms includes the historic 15 star and 15 stripe US flag on the crest atop the helmet.
GalleryCoat of Arms With 15 Star Flag
This rare hand-painted Bradford family coat of arms includes the historic 15 star and 15 stripe US flag on the crest atop the helmet.
This unique hand-painted coat of arms represents a branch of the Bradford family which emigrated to the United States, and can be dated by the inclusion of the 15 star and 15 stripe US flag. The Bradford name originates in England and numerous early US immigrants with that last name entered the US. While there is no connection to this coat of arms, in Kentucky the name was also common. The first printer in Kentucky was John Bradford. First arriving in Kentucky in 1775, he moved his family to Lexington in 1784, and began Kentucky’s first newspaper in 1787. This crest symbolizes a family that was proud to have come to America and become citizens of the US, so much so that the historic US flag of 15 stars and 15 stripes was positioned as the crest above the helmet on their redesigned coat of arms. This coat of arms is painted on paper and measures approximately 14″ x 10″. No other example of the historic US 15 star and 15 stripe flag within a coat of arms is known to exist.
