In Memory of Mary Young Pickersgill

In Memory of Mary Young Pickersgill. In the summer of 1813 Baltimore was preparing to defend itself against another invasion by the British, a “Second War of Independence.” Baltimore’s most prominent flag-maker at that time was a widow named Mary Young Pickersgill. In the early summer of 1813, Major George Armistead, Commandant of Fort McHenry, requested a large ensign be flown over the fort as “a symbol of defiance.” Mrs. Pickersgill was asked to make such an ensign; a 15-star, 15-stripe, 30 x 42 foot flag. This banner became the inspiration behind the writing of our national anthem. Mary Pickersgill was considered to be a woman of charm and culture, vivacious and public-spirited. She not only continued to be listed as “a maker of ships colours and signals,” but as a woman quite sympathetic to the plight of deserted wives, widows, and orphans of war veterans. A group of ladies formed an association to find work for these women, and this group was known as “the impartial female humane society.” Mary Pickersgill became the group’s president in 1850 and served in this capacity until her death October 4, 1857. During her presidency the aged women’s home at Franklin Square was founded and built. In 1958 the home moved to Towson, north of Baltimore, and changed the name to “Pickersgill.” The home continues to care for aged women and men. Mary Young Pickersgill is buried here in Loudon Park in section AA near the Frederick Avenue entrance.