|
Mary Young Pickersgill was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
in 1776, and grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. She learned the flag-making trade from her mother, Rebecca Young, who made ensigns,
garrison flags and continental standards during and after the war. In 1795, Mary Young married John Pickersgill and moved
back to Philadelphia until his death. Mary Pickersgill returned to Baltimore in 1807 with her widowed mother and young daughter,
Caroline. Mary Pickersgill's flag-making business was a success.
|
|
| Mary Pickersgill home in Baltimore, MD., now called the Flag House |
Colonel George Armistead, commander of the American
forces, gave Mary Pickersgill an assignment of making two flags, a storm flag and a garrison flag. It took six weeks to create
the flags and Mary was paid $574.44. In the making of the large flag Mary Young Pickersgill used 400 yards
of best quality wool bunting. Out of this she cut 15 stars made of cotton. The large garrison flag when finshed
measured 30 ft. by 42 ft.
|
