I dropped by the Wilkinson Homestead on Sunday afternoon to get a last look at the Halfaker/Sparks quilt collection and stumbled on a new treasure. Loraine Mottern was there, showing people through the quilt exhibit. “Have you seen our latest acquisition?” she asked, and showed me this flag.
Who was George Martin? What was Post 227? Why are there 13 stars? (Eastport was organized a long time after the first 13 states kicked up such a fuss with England.) And where did we get the flag anyway? Turns out Dick Hendershott had donated it. Since Dick was standing right there, I learned that Jerry Dawson had given it to Dick, and Guy McPherson had given it to Jerry before that. But nobody knew much more about it.

"Another RT Edwards" with Dick Hendershott
One of the visitors was Ralph Edwards, a great grandson of S.B. Anway and cousin to Katy Edwards Newman. He speculated that Post 227 was a Grand Army of the Republic post, organized by Civil War veterans from the area. Aha. A clue.
I’ve been mousing around on the internet, and here’s what I’ve learned so far. George Martin Post 227 of the Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Michigan, was organized in Eastport in May, 1884, and disbanded in 1930. According to an excerpt from The Traverse Region that I found on Google Books, “There were twenty one charter members and the following officers: P Com DW Sage SV Com WH Barnes Jr V Com AJ Drake 0 D D Blakely 0 M SB Anway Adjt H Blakely Chap JR Childs 0 G L Kin yon Sergt Maj William Cook 0 M Sergt LR Bogers sentry John McPherson.”
So I’m guessing Guy McPherson was descended from founding member John McPherson. And of course Ralph Edwards’s great-grandfather S.B. Anway was a founder, too. Still haven’t found out who George Martin was, or the meaning of the thirteen stars – but I’m on the case.
I talked to Jim Ribby, performance poet and Civil War re-enactor, over at Stone Circle. He suggested I check the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War website, where I found this in some 2004 minutes: Thanks to the quick response and the negotiating skills of several Brothers we were able to rescue a “G.A.R. record book” up for auction on eBay. The seller, located in Traverse City, was persuaded to withdraw the item from sale and donate the material to us. He turned over the material to SVC Neal Breaugh who brought it to me at the Mid-winter Conference. Some research identified this as the Post Descriptive Book for the George Martin Post 227 of Eastport.
I sent out some emails looking for more about that. Given the quantities of people who are deeply absorbed in the study of our local history, I am sure we can find out more. Just call me Nancy Drew.
Update October 14, 2009: Related posts
Nance Krause
September 8, 2009
Great news Gerry. I think I saw a similiar Flag in Indiana. I was told it was a flag to honor the Centennial 1876. Was it hand stitched or machine made? The G.A.R. book would be a great read.
Gerry
September 8, 2009
Marcia Graham, the owner of the quilt collection, was at the museum on Sunday, too. I was speculating that the flag might have been a Centennial display, and she said that in addition to the Centennial hoopla, there had been a “Federal Revival period” in design and fashion. My impression, for what it’s worth, is that the flag was machine-stitched, but in an individual rather than mass-produced fashion. The material is a very coarse weave, almost like burlap. The lettering is stenciled onto the fabric. It occurs to me to wonder whether the banner itself was made in 1876 and stenciled later, c. 1884, when the Post was established.
rfhendershott
September 8, 2009
Hey Gerry,
You have done some great work.
Dick
Gerry
September 8, 2009
Thanks, Dick. I hope to have more information soon. I believe I’ll head over to the Sons of Union Veterans gathering on Saturday.
flandrumhill
September 8, 2009
That’s quite a bit of detective work Gerry. Quilts and flags all have a story to tell.
Gerry
September 8, 2009
They do indeed. The challenge lies in interpreting the symbols and understanding the references. I’m having a lot of fun with this.
Scott Thomas Photography
September 8, 2009
And done from the comfort of your own home. Sort very Jetsons of you. Back in the 80’s, you would have had to drive all over the place to find out all this information.
Good luck on your investigation and keep us posted!
Gerry
September 8, 2009
Ah well, Grace Hooper walked all over to gather her tales. I aspire to be like Grace.
Connie Claar
September 9, 2009
That is a wonderful addition to the Wilkinson House. Thanks Dick for donating it and thanks to Gerry for doing all the “Nancy Drew” investigating.
Gerry
September 9, 2009
I’m having a ball, Connie. And we’re learning more.
Ralph Edwards
September 11, 2009
Letter from J. B. Wiles to S. B. Anway Nov 17th 1897
“Dear friend and comrade,
Find enclosed Post Office money order for $1.00 to apply on my dues at the George Martin Post as I have never received transfer or discharge I suppose I am still a member there and wish to remain so, for a time, at least.”
He continues to describe his civil war pension, $17 dollars per month, and states he received back pension of $460. Quite a sum in those days.
I will give a copy to Dick.
R. T. Edwards
Gerry
September 11, 2009
Ralph thank you! I am having a wonderful time following faint trails.
Nick Artimovich
June 1, 2010
See my Flickr website for other antique 13 star flags: