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Florida Flags (1845-1900) (U.S.)

Last modified: 2012-02-10 by rick wyatt

Keywords: florida | mosely | chase | secession |

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2nd Official Flag (1868)

image by Dov Gutterman, 12 October 1998

The second officials was described by the Constitutional Convention of 1868 as design of the great seal impressed upon a white ground of 6' 6'' fly and 6' deep.

Source: dhr.dos.state.fl.us

Dov Gutterman, 12 October 1998

1st Official Flag of Florida (1861)

image by Devereaux Cannon, 25 May 2000

After Florida seceded from the Union in January 1861, a number of unofficial flags flew over the state. The general assembly passed an act directing Governor Madison S. Perry to adopt "an appropriate device for a State flag which shall be distinctive in character." Six months later the Governor had the Secretary of State record the description of Florida's first official flag. Whether it was ever raised over the Capitol or in the field is unknown. The flag shown here is reconstructed from a written description.

Dov Gutterman, 12 October 1998

The Florida state flag adopted on 13 September 1861 draws its inspiration from the Confederate flag of 4 March 1861, and, therefore, is very similar to the Georgia flag prior to 1956.

Devereaux Cannon, 25 May 2000

Chase Flag (1861)

image by Dov Gutterman, 12 October 1998

This flag was hoisted when state force took control of the Federal forts and navy yard at Pensacola. Col. William H. Chase, Commander of Florida Troops raised the flag that was the same design as Texas Navy flag 1836-1845

Source: dhr.dos.state.fl.us

Dov Gutterman, 12 October 1998

Secession Flag (1861)

image by Dov Gutterman, 12 October 1998

Source: dhr.dos.state.fl.us

This flag was presented to Gov. Madison Starke Perry by the Ladies of Broward's Neck in Duval County and it was hoisted on the state Capitol when the Ordinance of Secession was signed on Jan.11, 1861

Dov Gutterman, 12 October 1998

"The ladies of Broward's Neck", a community in Duval County, presented Gov. Madison S. Perry with a flag of their own design symbolizing Florida's withdrawal from the Union. The flag, never officially adopted, thus was proffered as an emblem of Florida as a sovereign nation. Governor-elect John Milton presented that flag to the Florida Secession Convention at Tallahassee in 1861 after signing of the Ordinance of Secession. The stars represent South Carolina, Mississippi and Florida, the first three states to leave the Union. Mrs. G.E. Ginder, great-niece of one of the ladies of Broward's Neck, in the interview in the Florida Times-Union in 1961, said the flag was displayed on the rostrum of the House of Representatives at the Capitol in Tallahassee during the Civil War.

This information is based on the article written by Allen Morris for the Florida Handbook 1988.

Chris Kretowicz, 22 July 2002

Mosely Flag (1845)

image by Dov Gutterman, 12 October 1998

The flag was hoisted by Governor William D. Moseley on March 3, 1845 when Florida became the 27th state. It never became an official state flag because of controversy about the motto "Let us alone".

Image source: dhr.dos.state.fl.us

Dov Gutterman, 12 October 1998

The webpage at dhr.dos.state.fl.us/facts/symbols/flag.cfm?page=2&id=13 states "On March 3, 1845, Florida became the twenty-seventh state. Citizens of Tallahassee presented incoming Governor William D. Moseley with a flag that flew at his inauguration. However, because of a controversy surrounding its motto, it never became an official state flag. The flag shown here is reconstructed from a written description."



The book "Flags to Color, Washington to Lincoln," page 28 lists this as "Florida state flag, 1847." Quoted from the book -

"Colors: The canton has white stars on dark blue, 7 red and 6 white stripes; the field as a white ribbon with blue lettering and five stripes (from top to bottom) of blue, orange, red, white, and green."

"Unfortunately, the symbolism of the stripes in this design is not known, but the motto is clear. Allegiance to the Union, of which Florida had recently become a part, is indicated by the national flag in the canton."