Recently discovered at Williamson County Public Library, this framed piece sparked conversation about the relationship between the “original Old Glory” Flag, owned by Captain William Driver, and Old Glory Chapter NSDAR. Apparently this was not a new conversation. Interesting information is found the chapter’s original minutes books and scrapbooks.
For example, in June 1938, the minutes state that Miss Susie Gentry presented several “relics” to the chapter. One of which was a picture of Captain Driver.
Two years later, in response to a request from the chapter to explain her reasons for choosing the name “Old Glory”, Miss Susie presented an “interesting program” during the October chapter meeting. Then in the 1940 chapter year-end report to Tennessee Society Daughters of the American Revolution, the following statement is found which distinguishes the Driver flag from the chapter’s name:
“I should like to give the reason for the name Old Glory”, Miss Susie Gentry says. “I want you and The National Society Daughters American Revolution to know why, as the organizing Regent, I gave it such a name. When John Paul Jones had his famous fight with the Seraphis the flagstaff was struck and the flag was heading downward to the sea when a heroic sailor made a lunge for it saying as he rescued it, ‘Old Glory, she’ll never be lowered on land or sea!’ This is not to be confused with William Driver’s federal flag that he carried around the world and hoisted in the War Between the States.”
In 1982, the Driver flag was restored by the Smithsonian funded, in part, by money raised in Tennessee. Newspaper articles are in the 1982-83 scrapbook.