The Continental Union Flag and COntinental Navy's Ship ALFRED

 03 Jan 26:

I like flags, especially those with naval associations. On December 3, 1775, Lt. John Paul Jones, in celebration of the 2nd Continental Congress commissioning a Continental Navy, hoisted the first flag ever unfurled aboard an American man-of-war ship, the ALFRED. This was the first appearance of the first American flag, known as the "Continental Union" flag, which included the British Union ensign with 13 red and white stripes, representing the 13 united colonies. This flag was later raised by Gen. George Washington's army on January 1st, 1776 against British troops near Boston. 

Jones, a British-American naval officer who served in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War, is often referred to as the "Father of the American Navy". Pictured: W. Nowland Van Powell's painting, depicting the "Alfred" on the Delaware River in Philadelphia on December 3rd, 1775, U.S. Navy Art Collection.

The Continental Union flag flies at our home, along with the modern day Stars and Bars. Skipper had many ancestors fight for American independence, both colonists and the French Sea Captain Pierre Surget, whereas I think there may have been some Loyalists on my side or they all minded their own business on the western side of the Appalachians and indigenous communities...