Pine Tree Flag

Colonists adopted the pine as a symbol on flags and currency in the 17th century, including variants of the flag of New England and coinage produced by the Massachusetts Bay Colony from 1652 to 1682.{{cite web |title=Massachusetts Pine Tree Shilling, "1652" |url=https://amhistory.si.edu/coins/printable/coin.cfm?coincode=1_00&coinside=front |url-status=dead |website=Legendary Coins & Currency |publisher=Smithsonian National Museum of American History |access-date=July 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107152442/https://amhistory.si.edu/coins/printable/coin.cfm?coincode=1_00&coinside=front |archive-date=November 7, 2016}} The term "pine tree" also referred to oaks, willows, and other trees.{{cite book |last=Vile |first=John R. |date=October 5, 2018 |title=The American Flag: An Encyclopedia of the Stars and Stripes in U.S. History, Culture, and Law |location=Santa Barbara, California |publisher=ABC-CLIO |page=255 |isbn=9781440857898 |lccn=2018010859}}

File:LockeTreatiseAmerica.png's Treatises published in America during the 18th century (1773)]]

The phrase "Appeal to Heaven" is a particular expression of the right of revolution used by British philosopher John Locke in his Second Treatise on Government. The work was published in 1690 and rejected the theory of the divine right of kings. In chapter 14:{{cite web|url=https://www.gutenberg.org/files/7370/7370-h/7370-h.htm|title=Second Treatise on Civil Government|author=John Locke}} - Chapter 3 Sect. 20-21 & Chapter 14 Sect. 168

{{blockquote|And where the body of the people, or any single man, is deprived of their right, or is under the exercise of a power without right, and have no appeal on earth, then they have a liberty to {{strong|appeal to heaven}}, whenever they judge the cause of sufficient moment. And therefore, though the people cannot be judge, so as to have, by the constitution of that society, any superior power, to determine and give effective sentence in the case; yet they have, by a law antecedent and paramount to all positive laws of men, reserved that ultimate determination to themselves which belongs to all mankind, where there lies no appeal on earth, viz. to judge, whether they have just cause to make their {{strong|appeal to heaven}}.{{Cite web|last=Benner|first=Dave|date=April 16, 2017|title=John Locke's Appeal to Heaven: Its Continuing Relevance|url=https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/2017/04/16/john-lockes-appeal-to-heaven-its-continuing-relevance/|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=Tenth Amendment Center|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310102741/https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/2017/04/16/john-lockes-appeal-to-heaven-its-continuing-relevance/|archive-date=March 10, 2021}}}}

Locke's enlightenment-age works on the topic of the philosophy of government were well-known and frequently quoted by colonial leaders in the 1760–1776 period prior to American independence. Locke's writing that most influenced the American philosophy of government was his Two Treatises of Government, and has been used to defend the secularization of American political structures.{{cite web| url=https://providencemag.com/2021/02/appeal-to-heaven-our-new-civil-war-us-capitol-johhn-locke/ |title=The Appeal to Heaven and Our New Revolutionary War| date=February 23, 2021 |last= Littlejohn |first=Brad |access-date = April 20, 2024 | publisher= Providence}}

Richard Henry Lee, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, saw the Declaration as being copied from that work. Locke was not only one of the most-cited political philosophers during the Founding Era (~1776 to 1779), but also the single most frequently-cited source in the years from 1760 to 1776 (the period leading up to the Declaration of Independence).{{Cite web| url=http://www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=99156#FN33| title=John Locke – A Philosophical Founder of America| date=December 29, 2016| access-date=January 13, 2014| archive-date=January 13, 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113103320/http://www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=99156#FN33| url-status=dead}}

File:Pine Tree Flag illustration (MADELIA, MINN 1898 CHASE & SANBORN, AMERICAN FLAG HISTORY BOOKLET).jpg American history booklet, 1898]]

A flag with a pine tree on it, "a red flag with the cross of St. George in the canton with a green pine tree in the first quarter", was used in New England as early as 1704, and may have flown at Bunker Hill in 1775. It also appeared having a "white field with the motto 'An Appeal to Heaven' above the pine tree".{{cite journal |title=The American Flag |first=Harlan H. |last=Homer |journal=Proceedings of the New York State Historical Association |date=1915 |volume=14 |pages=108–121 |jstor=42890036 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/42890036}}

In a letter dated October 20, 1775,{{Cite book |last=Leepson |first=Marc |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qqjzyyZjYTEC |title=Flag: An American Biography |date=2005 |publisher=St. Martin's Griffin |isbn=978-0-312-32309-7 |location=New York |pages=14–15 }} General Washington's secretary, Colonel Joseph Reed, suggested a "flag with a white ground and a tree in the middle, the motto AN APPEAL TO HEAVEN" be used for the ships Washington commissioned.Wyatt, Rick (2002). [http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us-wacr.html Washington's Cruisers Flag] (U.S.) Two heavily armed American scows, or "floating batteries," launched on the Charles River in September 1775 had used the Pine Tree flag as an ensign; in his letter, Reed described the banner he proposed as "the flag of our floating batteries." The six schooners commissioned by Congress beginning in October 1775 to intercept British ships entering Boston—the USS Hancock, Lee, Franklin, Harrison, Lynch, and Warren—used the Pine Tree flag. Prior to Colonel Reed's suggestion, "an appeal to Heaven" or similar expressions had been invoked by the Massachusetts Provincial Congress in several resolutions, Patrick Henry in his Liberty or Death speech. Subsequently, the phrase was used again by the Second Continental Congress in the Declaration of Independence.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}

The following year, on April 29, 1776, the Massachusetts Council established the flag of the state navy with a resolution stating: "...that the Colours be a white Flag, with a green Pine Tree, and the Inscription, 'An Appeal to Heaven'."

The pine tree flag has been described as one of the most important flags in the colonies during 1775–1776, and the central image of the pine tree stood for wealth and power, in part because the tall trees were so important to the Royal Navy, as masts for warships.

The flag was a popular regional New England flag and was used to muster troops during the American Revolution before Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes. The flag may have served as partial inspiration for liberty trees and liberty poles.

A pine tree flag appeared on a handkerchief (sometimes referred to as a bandana){{cite web |url=https://www.heddels.com/2017/05/the-history-of-the-bandana/ |title=The History of the Bandana |first=Mads |last=Jakobsen |website=heddels.com |date=May 4, 2017 |accessdate=November 3, 2024}} depicting George Washington on horseback, surrounded by various flags, dating to 1776–1777 and attributed to John Hewson.{{cite journal |title=From the Collection: Finding America in Its First Political Textile |first=John R. |last=Monsky |journal=Winterthur Portfolio |volume=37 |issue=4 |year=2002 |pages=239–264 |doi=10.1086/381643 |jstor=10.1086/381643 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/381643|url-access=subscription }} Jonathan Trumbull shows a variant of the flag in his {{circa}} 1785 painting of events at the Battle of Bunker Hill, The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker's Hill, June 17, 1775.

The Pine Tree Flag is the official maritime ensign for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, though the enscription "An Appeal to Heaven" was removed from the flag in 1971. It was used by state navy vessels in addition to privateers sailing from Massachusetts.Naval History Center FAQ. Retrieved from http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq122-1.htm {{Webarchive|url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20121004082423/http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq122-1.htm |date=October 4, 2012}}.

On March 18, 1908, Massachusetts adopted their state flag, and on the reverse side of the flag could be seen a pine tree on a blue shield. In 1971, the reverse side of the flag was removed.{{cite web|title=flag of Massachusetts|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Flags-of-the-United-States-1692052|last1=Smith|first1=Whitney|access-date=

April 22, 2025}}

{{main|Flag of Maine (1901–1909)|2024 Maine Question 5}}

Maine, nicknamed the "pine tree state", used a state flag from 1901–1909 that had a pine tree on a buff field with a blue star in the canton.{{Cite news |title=Maine's once forgotten original state flag is making a comeback |url=https://bangordailynews.com/2018/02/13/homestead/maines-once-forgotten-original-state-flag-is-making-a-comeback/ |access-date=2018-10-19 |work=Bangor Daily News }}

The Maine National Guard also cites the Appeal to Heaven flag as a historic military symbol of Maine, stating that it was presented in July 1775 to the 31st Massachusetts Regiment of Foot, whose soldiers were recruited from present-day Maine.{{Cite web |title=Maine Army Guard Shoulder Sleeve Insignia |url=https://www.me.ng.mil/About/Our-History/Maine-Army-Guard-Shoulder-Sleeve-Insignia/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331201253/https://www.me.ng.mil/About/Our-History/Maine-Army-Guard-Shoulder-Sleeve-Insignia/ |archive-date=March 31, 2023 |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=www.me.ng.mil}} The regiment marched to Boston following the Battles of Lexington and Concord, and served in the Siege of Boston.

In 2024, a referendum question was placed on general election ballots in Maine, with 2024 Maine Question 5 asking voters: Do you favor making the former state flag, replaced as the official flag of the State in 1909 and commonly known as the Pine Tree Flag, the official flag of the State?{{cite news |url=https://www.fosters.com/story/news/politics/elections/state/2024/11/02/maine-to-vote-on-new-state-flag-with-pine-tree-heres-why/75895337007/ |title=Maine to vote on new state flag with pine tree: Here's why |first=Margie |last=Cullen |website=Foster's Daily Democrat |location=Dover, New Hampshire |date=November 2, 2024 |accessdate=November 3, 2024}} The measure failed with 55% of votes in opposition.{{cite news |url=https://www.mainepublic.org/politics/2024-11-06/early-results-show-mainers-rejecting-referendum-to-change-the-state-flag |title=Referendum to replace Maine state flag fails |author=Kaitlyn Budion |work=Maine Public |date=November 6, 2024 |access-date=November 8, 2024}}

The current flag of Maine still uses a pine tree in its design.

The flag of Vermont uses a pine tree and pine branches in its design.

{{Gallery

|width=160

|File:Ensign of New England (pine only).svg|The flag of New England used a similar pine tree design motif.

|File:Flag of Maine (1901–1909).svg|Former flag of Maine (1901–1909)

|File:Naval Ensign of Massachusetts.svg|Current naval ensign of Massachusetts

|File:Flag of Massachusetts (1908–1971).svg|Reverse side of the Massachusetts flag (1908–1971)

}}

File:Washington's Cruisers Flag - Historic Flag Series - 6c 1968 issue U.S. stamp.jpg

In 1968, the Pine Tree flag, or "Washington's Cruisers Flag," was featured in the 6¢ Historic American Flags postage stamp series printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.{{Cite web |title=1968 U.S. Postage Stamp Issues Identifier |url=https://1847us.com/byyear/1968-year/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827043444/https://1847us.com/byyear/1968-year/ |archive-date=August 27, 2018 |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=U.S. Stamp Catalog and Identifier |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=6c Washington's Cruisers Flag single |url=https://collections.si.edu/search/record/ark:/65665/hm8004a5b32ab5f4fe488450a099a77f59a |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528222529/https://collections.si.edu/search/record/ark:/65665/hm8004a5b32ab5f4fe488450a099a77f59a |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |access-date=2024-05-28|publisher=Collections Search Center, Smithsonian Institution}}

From 1964 to 2024, the flag was flown outside San Francisco City Hall as part of a collection of historic American flags.{{cite news|title=S.F. removes controversial 'Appeal to Heaven' flag from Civic Center Plaza, saying it has been co-opted|last=Swan|first=Rachel|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/appeal-to-heaven-flag-civic-center-plaza-19483162.php|work=San Francisco Chronicle}} It is also displayed at Faneuil Hall in Boston, in the Museum of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts.{{Cite web |title=Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company {{!}} Museum & Armory |url=https://www.ahac.us.com/include/museum.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119062919/https://www.ahac.us.com/include/museum.php |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=www.ahac.us.com |publisher=Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts}}

In the 2020s, the flag was flown at events attended by various far-right groups including a Christian nationalist strand of Donald Trump's "Stop the Steal" movement.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/22/us/justice-alito-flag-appeal-to-heaven.html|newspaper=The New York Times|title=Another Provocative Flag Was Flown at Another Alito Home: The justice's beach house displayed an 'Appeal to Heaven' flag, a symbol carried on Jan. 6 and associated with a push for a more Christian-minded government.|author=Kantor, Jodi; Toler, Aric; Tate, Julie|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=May 22, 2024|access-date=May 30, 2024|archive-date=May 26, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240526042302/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/22/us/justice-alito-flag-appeal-to-heaven.html}}{{Cite web |last=Examiner |first=Brady Knox, Washington |date=2024-05-23 |title=What are the flags Alito is under fire for?|url=https://gazette.com/news/wex/what-are-the-flags-alito-is-under-fire-for/article_2b8e993e-34f8-50fc-a7c8-2df36ff84072.html |access-date=2024-05-28|newspaper=Colorado Springs Gazette|language=en-US}}

In May 2024, news outlets reported that the flag had been flown at the vacation home of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito in 2023. This drew media attention because the flag had been used by "Stop the Steal" supporters.{{cite web |url=https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/24698837/letter-from-justice-alito-to-senators-durbin-and-whitehouse.pdf |title=Letter from Justice Alito to Senators Durbin and Whitehouse |accessdate=2024-05-29 |quote=I recall that my wife did fly that flag for some period of time, but I do not remember how long it flew. And what is most relevant here, I had no involvement in the decision to fly that flag. }}{{Cite news |last=Kruzel |first=John |date=May 22, 2024 |title=US Supreme Court Justice Alito's home flew another provocative flag |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-supreme-court-justice-alitos-home-flew-another-provocative-flag-nyt-2024-05-22/ |access-date=May 27, 2024 |work=Reuters}} The justice stated that his wife had displayed the flag, referred to the historic background of the symbol, and refused to recuse himself from ongoing cases involving the 2020 United States presidential election.{{cite web | url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/read-justice-alitos-letters-rejecting-calls-to-recuse-himself-from-jan-6-supreme-court-cases#:~:text=Alito%20said%20his%20wife%20was,merits%20his%20recusal%2C%20he%20wrote | title=Read Justice Alito's letters rejecting calls to recuse himself from Jan. 6 Supreme Court cases | website=PBS | date=May 29, 2024 }}{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/alito-flag-supreme-court-roberts-justice-senate-e53c1d1fef7b81f9dc87fa31b1622c4c|publisher=Associated Press|title=Alito rejects calls to quit Supreme Court cases on Trump and Jan. 6 because of flag controversies|author=Sherman, Mark|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=May 29, 2024|access-date=May 30, 2024|archive-date=May 29, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240529184142/https://apnews.com/article/alito-flag-supreme-court-roberts-justice-senate-e53c1d1fef7b81f9dc87fa31b1622c4c}}

{{asof|2024}}, "pine tree symbolism is ubiquitous" in New England, with the Pine Tree Flag "a well-known icon",{{Cite web |last=Graham |first=Michael |date=2024-05-25 |title=Graham: Why 'Pine Tree' flag flap doesn't fly in N.E. |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2024/05/25/graham-why-pine-tree-flag-flap-doesnt-fly-in-n-e/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=Boston Herald |language=en-US}} and proposals to change the Maine state flag to the Pine Tree Flag had support from members of both the Republican and Democratic parties.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-06 |title=Mainers reject Pine Tree Flag design, will remain unofficial symbol of the state |url=https://www.pressherald.com/2024/11/06/mainers-vote-to-keep-pine-tree-flag-as-unofficial-symbol-of-the-state/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=Press Herald}}{{Cite web |last=Hirschkorn |first=Phil |date=2023-06-09 |title=Maine legislators consider changing the state flag back to the original design |url=https://www.wmtw.com/article/maine-legislators-consider-changing-the-state-flag-back-to-the-original-design/44133068 |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=WMTW |language=en}}

{{Gallery

|width=160

| File:1885 History of US flags med.jpg

|American school textbook, 1885, depicting (clockwise, from upper left): Pine Tree Flag (white field), Gadsden flag (yellow field), American flag, Bunker Hill flag (blue field), Flag of New England (red field), and Continental Union Flag

| File:Flag - Museum of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts - IMG 6907.JPG

|The flag displayed in Faneuil Hall, Boston, 2010

| File:Black Lives Matter protest signs.jpg

|Pine Tree Flag being displayed at a Black Lives Matter protest, July 2020

| File:Trump Victory Center (50610688721).jpg

|Pine Tree Flag on display at a "Trump victory center", November 2020

}}

• American Enlightenment
• Thompson's War

{{reflist}}

{{commons category-inline|Pine Tree Flag}}

• [https://wallbuilders.com/an-appeal-to-heaven-flag/ History of An Appeal to Heaven flag], Wallbuilders

Pine Tree Flag

Category:1775 introductions

Category:Christian symbols

Category:Liberty symbols

Category:Flags of Massachusetts