Michigan: The Flag¹

On Michigan's flag is the state Coat of Arms. At the top, you'll find the words, E Pluribus Unum. It's kind of cool because this is the nation's motto as well. It means "From many, One."  The Michigan Coat of Arms is forever united with our Nation, not only as a State but also on our flag.  

On the shield is written the word Tuebor which means "I will defend"  which refers to the frontier position Michigan holds.   Lastly, is the state motto.  Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam, Circumspice, which means "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.²"  (A side note.  This motto was written in 1835.    The Upper Peninsula was just beginning to be discovered.  In my mind, the motto should read If you seek pleasant peninsulas look about you.  But that's just me.)  

               

I started looking into the history of Michigan but was unsure of where to actually start.  After trying several different Michigan topics I finally decided that the best place to start is with the flag as it represents those who sacrificed their lives to defend the frontier of the land in which we now call home.

The flag in that flies today in Lansing is not the same one that flew when Michigan was inducted into the Union in 1837.  Back then flags as well as banners were used by everyone from everywhere for everything.  Politics, war, and countries³; they were as popular then as they are now.  So, in order to truly understand the history behind Michigan's flag, the best place to start is back in 1835. Tuesday, June 2nd to be exact.  It was on this day that the Constitutional Congress met and approved the Michigan coat of arms,⁴ created by Lewis Cass, non-acting Governor of the Michigan Territory.   When Lewis Cass created the Michigan coat of arms,  he included an elk, a moose, and a bald eagle The elk and moose, because they are native to Michigan and the bald eagle as a representation of the United States. 

Looking back at Michigan's first state flag, historians refer to it as the Brady Flag because it's the first flag to have the Michigan coat of arms on it.  Michigan's Adjutant General John Robertson wrote⁵ "It appears that, on the 22nd of February, 1837, Stevens T Mason, first Governor of Michigan, presented to the 'Brady Guard' of Detroit, then in command of Capt. Isaac S. Rowland, a Flag, now in possession of the State, with a Brady guard and a lady, and on the reverse, his own portrait.  This was without a doubt the first Flag bearing the State coat of arms and was carried by the first uniformed company of militia in the State, having been organized  April 13, 1836..."   

The above image is what remains of the Brady Flag.  After 1911 the flag had been lost until 2003 when a piece of silk resurfaced among some papers belonging to the family of the Lawton T Hermans, Legislator, and biographer of Mason, Lawton T. Hermans.  Governor Mason's image is clearly visible in the above photo, as well as the words along the bottom of the flag.  "Organized Brady Guard, May 1836."    Today you can find the first flag stored with the Capitol Battle Flag Collection in the Michigan Historical Museum.  

The above photo shows a soldier, the Michigan coat of arms, and possibly something resembling clothing, probably a portion of the lady.  

Images Provided By Michigan State Capitol Archive

To say that there was a second "official" version of Michigan's flag submitted in 1865 would be a gross understatement.  As was the case before 1837, there were numerous flags and banners being flown, this time though they all bore the Michigan coat of arms.
In 1865 John Robertson recommended the new Offical State flag and Governor Henry H. Crappo approved it.  The Michigan coat of arms was on one side and the National arms on the other.  Now it's recognized as the standard of Michigan and is carried by the Michigan regiments, side by side with the stars and stripes.   

In 1911 Act 209⁶ was passed to determine the regulations surrounding the flag for its use and protection.  When they finished,  the State Legislature issued this statement: "The State Flag shall be blue charged with the arms of the state."⁶

Michigan's flag is a symbol that stands for honor, strength, and freedom.   Its very existence is the result of the men who fought and died defending the frontier of Michigan in wars that resulted in a divided nation becoming One.  I think this sums up what not only our flag represents but what it stands for and the respect it and all who fought for it deserve.  To all those who've sacrificed for not only the land I live in but the state as well I say thank you.  Wherever you are.  

                                                                    

"Stand by the flag, on land, and ocean billow

By it, your fathers stood, unmoved and true

Living, defended, dying from their pillow

With their last blessing passed it on to you."

John Robertson

Flags of Michigan

  

Special thanks to Valerie R. Marvin, Historian & Curator at the Michigan State Capitol Archive and Janice Murphy at the Library of Michigan.    Your help was invaluable to my research and greatly appreciated.  Last but certainly not least to my mom for suggesting that I find that first flag.  As a result, I've learned more than I ever thought I would have about the history of the state and the above flag would have never been seen.  Thanks Mom!  :-)  

Flag Image¹

Coat of Arms²

The Flags of Michigan, John Robertson,1887, pg 7³

Daily Journal of the Convention to Form a Constitution, Tuesday, June 2, 1835, p 46⁴

Flags of Michigan,  John Robertson, 1887, pg 19⁵

Michigan Legislature ⁶

Michigan History: Our Flag⁷

Honoring a Friend

A long time ago at a camp on the shores of Lake Superior, a young boy sat down with the camp nurse to give her his meds for the week.  That boy was me and that nurse was Marcia Nichols.  Now, I'm not certain this is how we met but it makes sense.  I know her husband Cliff through some mutual friends and her oldest daughter from camp as well.  But that's not the point of this post.  Last week Marcia passed away.  As I said I didn't see her much so I didn't know her all that well.  But her influence was one that I have seen for years and I still consider her a friend.  I met her oldest daughter Kristen at Gitche Gumee Bible Camp back in the 90s.  Eventually, Kristen would go on to Cedarville University where she would run track with my sister.  Small world.

  All the pictures I've seen have been of her helping people.  Whether it be her grandchildren, as a nurse back in 1979 (That was awesome .  What a precious moment to capture on camera), her daughters, family, or in the community it was great to see her smiling face one more time.  As always it was a treat to see.    Two posts stood out to me.  First, I must say though that it was great to see all the support coming from those in the community and from wherever.  Just seeing that it was obvious she was (and still is) loved.  It pains me that I can't be there to support those who are grieving even more than I.  That said, someone posted a picture of Marcia with her two daughters Kristen and Erin and a note to Kristen and Erin.  I thought that was pretty classy.  The second post that stood out was one that really left an impression on me and I think shows what kind of a person Marcia was.  It wasn't a picture but someone wondered that if when Marcia got to heaven did God say "Well done though good and faithful servant." or did he just wrap his arms around her.  It gave me pause.  Not so much because of what this person said but why they said it.  The influence Marcia had on so many lives is astounding.  Personally, I loved to hear her talk.  She had that great Finnish accent.  I just wish I had seen her more.    From what I understand she had a rough time of it towards the end but I'm glad she was able to see her family before she went home.  Now she is pain free and surrounded by awe-inspiring, word defying glory.  Marcia, I know you didn't rest long!  :-)  Looking forward to seeing you again!

Surrounded by your glory, what will my heart feel; will I dance in your presence of in awe of you be still; will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall; will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all?

MercyMe