"Death or Honor" Gostelowe Standard #6 Flag

"Standards and Colors of the American Revolution" - Edward W. Richardson 

Among the papers of the Continental Congress at the National Archives is an extensive inventory or "Return" of arms and other military stores on hand for the months of July and August 1778 at Philadelphia and outlying stores and repair locations. The Return was prepared by Philadelphia Major Jonathan Gostelowe, one of the Commissaries of Military Stores, for Lt. Col. Benjamin Flower, Commissary General of Military Stores for the Continental Army. 

A separate section of the report is titled "A Return of ye New Standards & Division Colours for ye Use of ye Army of ye United States of America In the Possession of Major Jonathan Gostelowe, Com'y Mily Stores." There are thirteen regimental "Standards," of which each of the first eleven have two "Division Colours" listed. The color of the fields of these first eleven sets is given. The "Device of the Standard" and 'Their Motto" are described and quoted for all thirteen standards. A footnote states: 'N.B. The Union agreeable to the Resolve of Congress, Thirteen Stars is Painted on each Standard." Apparently the Division colors were plain as no device is indicated.

The Gostelowe Return was analyzed by co-authors Donald W. Holst and Marko Zlatich in an article illustrated by Peter Copeland and published in the Journal of The Company of Military Historians for Winter 1967. It is one of the most important writings ever published on American Revolutionary War regimental standards and colors.

The above authors point out that the color of the field and the description of the device of Standard No. 1 match a surviving silk flag, known as the "Headman Color" which descended in the Pennsylvania family of that name. The color is now at the Smithsonian.

The authors also matched the devices described on seven standards with the seals used on seven denominations of paper Continental currency. Some of the seals were designed by Francis Hopkinson and Benjamin Franklin and others were taken from early books on seals and emblems in Franklin's library.

Holst and Zlatich also point out that versions of the device of Standard No. 13, which featured thirteen arrows and a motto, "United We Stand" are on three powderhorns. Drawings of these are at the New York Historical Society. One of the powderhorns belonged to a soldier in the 1st New York Regiment of 1777.

Similarities between the devices of the Gostelowe Standards and other Revolutionary flags, seals and symbols are pointed out by the above authors. The most important aspect of their analysis, beyond bringing the inventory to light, is the relationship between the devices on the standards and the symbols on currency and state arms. Conclusions and comments hereafter are the responsibility of the author.

Major Jonathan Gostelowe was a Philadelphia resident and cabinetmaker. His name appears on various tax lists and rolls during the War, including one list where the letters "C.M.S." (Commissary of Military Stores) are entered after his name. He is listed as a member of a Philadelphia militia artillery unit during the post-war period and in 1789, presented a baptismal font to Christ Church.

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