Ann Chatterly Macfarlane - The Flag - 1852

Happy Flag Day!!

Ann Chatterly Macfarlane

In the spring of 1852 the men went to the mountain and selected a tell tree to be used as a Liberty Pole.  This they did in preparation for their first 4th of July celebration.  After this proud pole was securely placed in the ground (inside the Fort) 'twas found they had no flag large enough to hoist that high.  Ann Chatterly - age 15 - offered to make one.  The Chatterly's had brought, among other goods, white marine - and Ann had two long, full petticoats, one of blue and one of red.  There she contributed and sewed by hand a most beautiful flag.  Of course, in 1852 there were not so many stars to make, but it was a tedious task; however, she loved to do it.  Every one appreciated it because what would the 4th of July be without a flag!  From that day on she was known as "The Betsy Ross of Iron County".  

(From a biography by Ann's granddaughter, Ruth M. Penrose)

I have partial copies of obituaries for Ann and at the age of 89 she was still referred to as the Betsy Ross of Utah.  In the obituary it relates the story as follows:

"Mrs. Macfarlane was known as the Betsy Ross of Utah.  When in 1852 the pioneer settlement of Cedar City proposed to celebrate the Fourth of July there was no flag to be displayed.  Mrs. Macfarlane solved the problem by making a flag from three skirts which she had brought from England, which, fortunately were of the three national colors. One skirt was red silk, the other was white merino and the third of blue cotton.  At the time she was fifteen years of age."

As we celebrate our nation's flag, let us also celebrate Ann Macfarlane's part in honoring it! 

Direct line ancestry: Ann Chatterly Macfarlane --> Charlotte Ann Macfarlane McQuarrie --> Ruth McQuarrie Penrose --> Lu Penrose Bond --> Kathryn Bond Berkowitz --> Lora Marshall Nehring