Francis Hopkinson was born to an elite, well-off family. He graduated in the first class of the College of Philadelphia (which later became the University of Pennsylvania) in 1757.Soon after earning his A.B. in 1757, Hopkinson published a number of verses criticizing the work of John Beveridge, a former professor, titled, “Errata or the Art of Printing Incorrectly,” and “The Grammarians: or Scoto and the Doctor, a new Ballad.” Later, he apprenticed under Benjamin Chew, who later was Chief Justice of Pennsylvania. Hopkinson set up his own practice in 1761. Hopkinson then spent two years studying under his mother’s relative, the Bishop of Worcester, in London, before returning to the colonies with a lucrative royal appointment as the collector of customs for Salem, New Jersey, in 1763. He added New Castle, Delaware, to his responsibilities in 1772. In 1774, Hopkinson’s revolutionary sentiments caused him to resign his post and return to private legal practice in Bordentown, New Jersey. A talented musician, Hopkinson composed many pieces over his lifetime, including “My Days Have Been So Wondrous Free” (1759)—the earliest surviving non-religious song composed in the American colonies.In 1774, he was appointed to the governor’s council in New Jersey. However, Hopkinson would soon join those who supported American independence. As the American Revolution raged, Hopkinson returned to serve in the colony of his birth in 1777, first on the Navy Board at Philadelphia, then as treasurer of the Continental Loan Office in 1778 and finally with a seat on the Admiralty court in Pennsylvania in 1779. He joined Pennsylvania’s ratification convention in 1787, and served on the bench of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania from 1789 until his death.
Hopkinson represented New Jersey at the Continental Congress in 1776, and was one of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence. During the Revolutionary War, he served on the Navy Board at Philadelphia, as treasurer of the Continental Loan Office and as a judge for the Admiralty Court of Pennsylvania. Hopkinson also demonstrated his support for independence with songs like “The Battle of the Kegs,” a popular Revolutionary War ballad that mocked the panicked British reaction when powder-filled barrels floated by their ships on the Delaware River, and “A Pretty Story,” which is a skeptical examination of the relationship between Great Britain and the coloniesAfter the fight for independence had been won, a Constitutional Convention was held in 1787 in order to create a stronger governing document for the new country. Some opposed a more powerful central government, but Hopkinson actively supported the new Constitution and argued in favor of the its ratification. He also wrote “The New Roof,” an allegory that detailed why a new government (roof) was needed to protect its citizens. In the end, the new Constitution was adopted.
Though evidence shows that Hopkinson worked on the design of the U.S. flag, Congress turned down his request for “a quarter cask of the public wine” as payment for its creation. There is no definitive answer about who was responsible for the placement and style of the flag’s stars, but Hopkinson’s other design work, which includes contributing to the design of the Great Seal of the United States, lends credence to his bid for credit.
In 1789, George Washington nominated Hopkinson as a U.S. district judge for eastern Pennsylvania—a position that Hopkinson would hold until his death on May 9, 1791, at the age of 53. He died very suddenly of a massive epileptic seizure. He left behind a widow and five children.
Hopkinson’s lifetime output included inventions, musical compositions and writing that ranged from satire to serious essays. Most importantly, having signed the Declaration of Independence, worked on the U.S. flag and supported ratification of the Constitution, his contributions to the United States live on to this day.
Every Woman Dreams... 
The Union Flag of Great Britain as shown is incorrect; it has the red diaganol cross of Ireland which did not appear on the Union Jack until 1801 when Ireland became part of Great Britain. The Union flag before then was the Red Cross on white of St George and the White diagonal Cross on blue of St Andrew of Scotland; which had been the flag of the United Kingdoms of Gt Britain & Scotland since 1603 with the death of Elizabeth and the ascension of James the VI of Scotland to the English throne as James the First. The actual flag didn’t come about until 1605 I think it was when they realized it was a bit stupid there being the 2 different flags on display
https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwiQ5JLu1bjPAhWBF5QKHW5KDf0QjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usflagdepot.com%2Fstore%2Fpage1.html&psig=AFQjCNFMlgYRYNDOvKooKeUxJDGfq6fOuw&ust=1475379171097222
Thanks, Brian.
You’re probaly getting fed up with me being picky
I never mind being corrected as long as the intent is not a vicious one. Too many people use social media to take out bad tempers on innocents.
Well I certainly am not being picky becauseof a bad temper, just that an excellent post can be spoilt ( in my eyes only I suppose) with an error which though small an unintentional seems to reach igantic proportions in my derainged mind 🙂
Well I certainly am not being picky because of a bad temper, just that an excellent post can be spoilt ( in my eyes only I suppose) with an error which though small and unintentional seems to reach gigantic proportions in my derainged mind 🙂
https://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.loeser.us%2Fflags%2Fimages%2Fengland%2Fkings_colors.gif&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.loeser.us%2Fflags%2Frevolution.html&docid=zqMKkgz2i9ZCEM&tbnid=mcCV6nqyi9H8SM%3A&w=324&h=216&bih=648&biw=1366&ved=0ahUKEwifnJ_s1bjPAhWLFpQKHW47AhMQMwgjKAEwAQ&iact=mrc&uact=8
Think this is the riht one
He did so much, and died at 53? We squander our lives, it seems, since we have so much more of it, then in past days, and most do far less with the time they have.
My father died at 47, Eileen. Too young. I agree about how we waste precious time.
My gosh, much too young. I hope you have wonderful memories of him. My hubster is 89 in a couple of months. I count the days as blessings, for I have been given much–47 years of marriage.