Jonestown in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Star Spangled Banner Flag was Born Here

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 6, 2016

1. The Star Spangled Banner Flag was Born Here Marker

Inscription.
―――――――――★――――――――― The flag that flew from the ramparts at Fort McHenry and inspired the famous poem by Francis Scott Key was sewn at this site in 1813.
―――――――――★――――――――― In the summer of 1813, Claggett's brewery operated on this property. Mary Young Pickersgill, who lived one block away, was assembling the flag (measuring 30 by 42 feet) by hand and it was too large to sew in her home. She received permission to move the work to the malt house. Working at night by candlelight, Mary and her small team knelt on the floor to sew 15 white cotton stars each about two feet across and representing the states in the Union at the time on English woolen bunting dyed indigo blue. For her work she received $574.44, paid to her under government contract, for two flags: the large garrison "Star Spangled Banner" flag (measuring 30 by 42 feet) and a smaller storm flag (17 by 25 feet, which has been lost

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to the ages).

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Vexillology series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1813.

Location. 39° 17.283′ N, 76° 36.267′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in Jonestown. It is on South President Street. By the door of the 101 Tavern at the Fairfield Inn. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 South President Street, Baltimore MD 21202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

in the Chesapeake Bay Region,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Brewer’s Park (a few steps from this marker); Home of Edward Johnson (within shouting

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 6, 2016

2. The Star Spangled Banner Flag was Born Here Marker

distance of this marker); Carroll Mansion (within shouting distance of this marker); Small Brick Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Cistern (within shouting distance of this marker); Native Stone Mosaic (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Flag House (about 400 feet away); Baltimore Slave Trade (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.

Also see . . . Brown's Brewery. (Wikipedia) (Submitted on August 7, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)

Additional commentary.
1. Brown's Brewery
This site was occupied by Brown's Brewery in 1813. As Mauren O'Prey puts it in her 2011 book, Brewing in Baltimore, “In 1818, after limited success, Brown sold the famous brewery to Eli Claggett, a former soldier who was wounded during the bombardment of Fort McHenry. Unfortunately, posterity has often given credit to the McHenry veteran Claggett for owning the brewery in 1813 when Mary Pickersgill sewed the flag, despite
evidence to the contrary.”

— Submitted August 7, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 6, 2016

3. The Star Spangled Banner Flag was Born Here Marker

The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture stands next door on the Corner of President and Pratt Streets.

Fairfield Inn & Suites image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 6, 2016

4. Fairfield Inn & Suites

The Shot Tower looms over the Fairfield Inn & Suites, the building that stands at the location of Brown's Brewery (Later Claggett's).

Sewing the Flag image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 6, 2016

5. Sewing the Flag

"Too large for Mary's house the 30 X 42-foot garrison flag was finished on the floor of a nearby brewery. The helpers included an African American indentured servant named Grace Wisher."

This painting by Gerry Embleton appears on the "Crafting a Legacy" marker at the nearby Flag House.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,985 times since then and 877 times this year. Last updated on August 23, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 7, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.