Rare Silk Flag, 'Washington' Banner

the rectangular single-ply silk panel (once pale blue) painted with a red ribbon scroll inscribed WASHINGTON in gold; the flag/banner is comprised of single ply silk, plain weave, sewn with silk thread.

The descendants of Jacob Stroud, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

The flag-banner is constructed of silk available in both the 18th and 19th centuries.  The flag-banner descended in the family of Colonel Jacob Stroud, born in Hunterdon County, New Jersey in 1735.  As a young man, he moved his family to Northhampton County, Pennsylvania, where he fought in the French and Indian Wars.  He was elected Colonel and served in the American Revolutionary War, receiving orders from Commander-in-Chief, George Washington, on both the military and political fronts.  He was responsible for the building of Fort Pennsylvania.  He was elected as a delegate to the first Pennsylvania Constitution Convention in 1776.  He died in 1806.  Jacob Stroud and his descendants played an important role in the founding of Stroudsburg and in the organization of Monroe County. The Monroe County Historical Association maintains the Stroud Mansion as an historic site.