University of Virginia Library

THE ARMISTEAD FAMILY

The name Armistead is derived from the name Darmstadt.
The family was originally of Teutonic origin, but were Englishmen
for many generations before coming to America in 1635.

William Armistead received a patent in 1636 from Captain
John West, Governor of Virginia, for 450 acres in Elizabeth City
county and here the seat of the elder line in Virginia was established
and called "Hesse." The family early became prominent in
Middlesex, Matthews, New Kent and surrounding counties.

The first member of this family to come to Caroline, so far
as authentic history records, was Henry Armistead, who was the
first representative of the county in the House of Burgesses
1727-35 and who was sworn county lieutenant in 1733.

John Armistead inherited much property in Caroline by the
will of Henry Armistead, and married Lucy Baylor, of "New
Market"—the ancient estate of the Baylors in Caroline. Lucy
Baylor was the daughter of John and Fanny (Walker) Baylor
and the sister of Col. George Baylor, Washington's chief of staff
and of Walker Baylor, who commanded the "Washington Life
Guards" at Germantown, Pa.

To John Armistead and Lucy Baylor his wife, were born seven
children—six sons and one daughter—one of whom, George
Armistead, may be numbered among the most noted men of
America.

George Armistead was born at "New Market," Caroline
county, April 10, 1780 and was appointed county lieutenant
January 8, 1799 and First Lieutenant in the Continental Army
in May 1800. He was promoted to the rank of Captain in
November 1806 and was made Major of Third Artillery in 1813.
He distinguished himself at the capture of Fort George, Upper
Canada, May, 1813, and became known as one of the bravest and
most resourceful men in the American Army. He was in command
at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, in 1814, and successfully defended
the city against the British attack under Admiral Cochrane.

Colonel George Armistead

For his gallant defence of Fort McHenry and the city of
Baltimore, he was brevetted Lieutenant Colonel and was hailed
throughout the country as "The Hero of Fort McHenry."

It was during his gallant defence of Fort McHenry that
Francis Scott Key was inspired to write "The Star Spangled
Banner" which has since become the national anthem. The flag
which flew over the fort and which Key saw "by the dawn's
early light," was presented to Colonel Armistead by the Government,
who in turn presented it to his son-in-law, Mr. William
Somner Appleton, of Boston, as a wedding gift. The flag which
inspired the national anthem remained in the Appleton family for
many years, during which time Baltimore and Boston contended
with each other for its possession. Finally, at the suggestion of
of Mr. James B. Baylor, of "New Market," Caroline county, Va.,

the flag was presented by Mr. Appleton to the National Museum
at Washington, where the same is now preserved in a glass case
built especially for its keeping. In the same case with the flag
is the beautiful silver service which was presented to Colonel
Armistead by the city of Baltimore in recognition of his service
as savior of the city.

Colonel Armistead's five brothers served in the War of 1812,
three of them in the regular army and two in the militia.