Monterey celebrates 1846 Flag Raising
by Jocelyn Moss
What a day it was for fourteen year old Agnes Watson on July 7, 1896. Agnes represented Marin in Monterey at the fifty year anniversary of the raising of the first American flag in California claiming California for a U.S. Territory. Agnes was chosen to represent Marin because her father, James Watson, remembered being present at the original event when he was seven years old. Mr. Watson recalled greeting “Old Glory” with a great cheer and throwing his hat in the air.
Agnes was thrilled to be riding in a carriage waving the blue silk Marin County flag. She was accompanied by others representing the fifty-eight counties of California. They were part of a huge parade with many floats and many dignitaries who gave many speeches. Ships off shore fired their cannons to add to the celebration.
One of the main events was the laying of the cornerstone to the Sloat Memorial. John D. Sloat was the commodore of the Pacific Squadron that sailed into Monterey Bay that July day in 1846. He was under orders to prevent the British from seizing California. The Sloat Memorial is still standing in the Presidio commemorating the raising of the flag of the United States.
After returning to San Rafael, Agnes continued her studies and graduated from San Rafael High school. Agnes took a job as a postal clerk at the San Rafael Post Office. She resigned in 1907 to marry W. B. Hutto. They had two children, William and Evelyn. Agnes died in 1939 and was buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
Originally published at https://annetkent.kontribune.com.
