Capt. Hulbert, Long Island, N.Y.

Date: 1776

Seven red and six white stripes, thirteen six-pointed stars. [R17]

The "New Constellation" called for by the Flag Resolution of June 14, 1777 was interpreted in many ways. One of the rarest is the "cross" pattern used on the Hulbert Flag (1 - 3 - 5 - 3 - 1). Also noteworthy is the use of 13 six pointed heraldic stars. It was not discovered until 1926. The Hulbert flag was named after an old Long Island family of the Revolutionary period.

In July, 1775, John Hulbert, a cordwainer and magistrate, become captain of a company of Long Island minutemen. They served at Ticonderoga in the campaign to liberate the Champlain valley, at Trenton, Philadelphia and at Fort Constitution (Lee) on the Hudson. They returned to their homes for discharge on January 18, 1776.

Hulbert resumed his residence in Suffolk County and turned to privateering. The original reportedly hangs in the Historical Society in Riverhead, Long Island, New York. The authenticity of this flag is now in question.

Did this flag predate the Betsy Ross flag? Read more.

New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller has signed this flag.