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The True Designer Of The Stars And Stripes: 5 Shocking Facts About Francis Hopkinson And The American Flag

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For centuries, the story of Betsy Ross sewing the first American flag has been a cornerstone of national folklore, taught to generations of schoolchildren. However, modern historical research, backed by concrete documentation from the Continental Congress, reveals a far more compelling and historically verifiable figure: Francis Hopkinson. This article, updated for today, December 26, 2025, dives deep into the evidence that confirms Hopkinson, a respected Founding Father, was the true architect of the Stars and Stripes, and explores the bizarre reason why he was never paid for his monumental work.

The true history of the American flag is a fascinating tale of political service, artistic talent, and a frustrating financial dispute. It’s time to move past the popular myth and recognize the man who put pen to paper to create one of the world's most recognizable symbols of liberty: Francis Hopkinson.

The Forgotten Architect: Francis Hopkinson Biography and Profile

Francis Hopkinson was a man of extraordinary talent and service, a true Renaissance figure of the American Revolution whose contributions extended far beyond the realm of vexillology (the study of flags). His life was a testament to the dedication required to forge a new nation.

  • Full Name: Francis Hopkinson
  • Born: September 21, 1737, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Died: May 9, 1791 (Age 53)
  • Education: College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania), graduating in 1757, and later receiving a Master of Arts degree.
  • Key Roles:
    • Signer of the Declaration of Independence (representing New Jersey).
    • Member of the Continental Congress (1776).
    • Chairman of the Continental Navy Board.
    • Judge of the Admiralty Court of Pennsylvania.
    • United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (appointed by President George Washington).
    • Poet, satirist, and composer (often credited as the first American-born composer of a secular song).
  • Key Designs Credited: The American Flag (Stars and Stripes), the Great Seal of the United States (contributed significantly to the final design), and Continental paper money.

The Overwhelming Historical Evidence for Hopkinson’s Design

While the Betsy Ross story relies on the oral tradition of her grandson, Francis Hopkinson’s claim is supported by direct, contemporary documentation. This is the crucial distinction that has led modern historians to credit him as the flag’s designer.

1. The Official Claim to the Board of Admiralty

In 1780, Hopkinson, then serving as the Chairman of the Continental Navy Board, wrote a letter to the Board of Admiralty. In this letter, he explicitly asserted that he had "designed the flag of the United States of America" in 1777. This is a direct, written claim made by a public official to a government body during the time the flag was adopted.

2. The Bill to the Continental Congress

The most compelling piece of evidence is the actual bill Hopkinson submitted to the Continental Congress for his design services. He requested compensation for designing the “Great Seal of the United States,” “ornaments for the French money,” and “the flag of the United States.” The request was not questioned on the basis of *who* designed the flag, but rather on whether he deserved payment for it as a public officer.

3. The Original Design Details: Six-Pointed Stars

Hopkinson’s original design, which was a revision of the existing "Continental Colors" flag, featured 13 stripes and 13 stars, representing the original colonies. Crucially, his design is believed to have used six-pointed stars, not the five-pointed stars that Betsy Ross is anecdotally credited with suggesting. This detail helps distinguish his documented work from the popular folklore.

The Bizarre Reason Francis Hopkinson Was Never Paid

Despite the Continental Congress acknowledging his claim by debating his bill, Hopkinson’s request for compensation was ultimately denied. The reason for the refusal is a fascinating glimpse into the bureaucracy of the fledgling American government and the politics of the time.

The Request for a "Quarter Cask of Public Wine"

Hopkinson’s requested payment was not a large sum of money, but rather a symbolic gesture: a “quarter cask of the public wine.” This modest request highlights that his motivation was recognition, not personal enrichment.

The Two Grounds for Denial

The Board of Treasury, after reviewing the claim, denied payment on two main technical grounds:

  1. He Was a Public Officer: The Congress argued that since Hopkinson was already receiving a salary as a member of the Continental Congress and a public officer, his design work was part of his official duties and did not warrant separate compensation.
  2. The Design Was Not 'Original': The Board also claimed that he was not the sole designer, stating that "he was not the only person consulted on those exhibitions of fancy." They argued that others had contributed to the final design, meaning he could not claim full, exclusive credit for the "original design."

This denial, while frustrating for Hopkinson, ironically cemented his place in history. The extensive documentation of his claim and the government's response provide irrefutable evidence that he was the person formally recognized by the Continental Congress for creating the design. The dispute was over payment, not authorship.

Hopkinson vs. Ross: Debunking the Enduring Myth

The enduring popularity of the Betsy Ross story is not due to historical evidence, but to a successful piece of 19th-century marketing. The story was first publicized in 1870, nearly a century after the flag’s adoption, by her grandson, William Canby.

  • The Betsy Ross Claim: The myth suggests Ross, a Philadelphia seamstress, was commissioned by George Washington to sew the first flag and that she suggested the five-pointed star instead of the six-pointed star. There are no contemporary documents, journals, or letters from George Washington, the Continental Congress, or Betsy Ross herself to support this claim.
  • The Francis Hopkinson Fact: Hopkinson’s claim is supported by his own letters, a formal bill, and the official journals of the Continental Congress. The historical consensus among vexillologists and historians is that Hopkinson is the true designer.

The contrast is clear: a documented claim from a Founding Father who served in government versus an unsubstantiated family tradition published decades later. Francis Hopkinson, the New Jersey Congressman, remains the most historically sound candidate for the title of the American Flag’s designer.

The True Designer of the Stars and Stripes: 5 Shocking Facts About Francis Hopkinson and the American Flag
francis hopkinson american flag
francis hopkinson american flag

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