36-Star U.S. Flag With Unusual "Puffy" Stars, Circa 1865-1867. Measuring approximately 114-inches by 66-inches. Wool construction with 36 "puffy" hand-sewn 4-inch cotton stars. The hoist end has five whipped grommets, with three cords. The hoist is ink-stamped in several places "J. K. Moorhead", with "Moorhead" also appearing once in pencil. The remnants of an old paper note sewn to the hoist reads: "Moorhead / [missing]th East", presumable Moorhead's address at the time he owned the flag.

James K. Moorhead was born in Halifax, Pennsylvania. In his early years he served an apprenticeship in the tanner's trade, and later a canal contractor. He became superintendent and supervisor of the Juniata Canal in 1828, and established the first passenger packet line on the Pennsylvania Canal in 1835. In 1838 he was appointed adjutant general of Pennsylvania. He constructed the Monongahela Navigation Canal and was president of the company for twenty-one years. He was also president of the Atlantic & Ohio Telegraph Company, which later became Western Union Telegraph Company. In his early political career he was a Democrat, but defected to the Know Nothings shortly after the fall elections of 1854. He was elected as a Republican to the 36th Congress and to the four succeeding Congresses. In Congress he served as a chairman to the Committee on Manufactures during the 38th and 39th Congresses. He declined to be a candidate for re-nomination in 1868 but served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention that same year. He ran an unsuccessful campaign for the U.S. Senate in 1880.

Condition: Very good. Some fraying and loss to the corners on the fly end, otherwise the colors remain bright and the flag in sound condition.