Besty Ross
American Flag
Early Life
Betsy Ross, best known for making the first American flag, was born Elizabeth Griscom in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 1, 1752. A fourth-generation American, and the great-granddaughter of a carpenter who had arrived in New Jersey in 1680 from England, Betsy was the eighth of 17 children. Like her sisters, she attended Quaker schools and learned sewing and other crafts common in her day.
After Betsy completed her schooling, her father apprenticed her to a local upholsterer, where, at age 17, she met John Ross, an Anglican. The two young apprentices quickly fell for one another, but Betsy was a Quaker, and the act of marrying outside of one's religion was strictly off-limits. To the shock of their families, Betsy and John married in 1772, and she was promptly expelled from both her family and the Friends meeting house in Philadelphia that served as a place of worship for Quakers. Eventually, the couple opened their own upholstery business, drawing on Betsy's deft needlework skills.
Americn Flag baby
Making the Flag
n 1776, at the start of the American Revolution, John was killed by a gunpowder explosion while on militia duty at the Philadelphia waterfront. Following his death, Betsy acquired his property and kept up the upholstery business, working day and night to make flags for Pennsylvania. A year later, Betsy married Joseph Ashburn, a sailor. Joseph, however, also met an unfortunate end. In 1781, the ship he was on was captured by the British and he died in prison the next year.
In 1783, Betsy married for a third and final time. The man, John Claypoole, had been in prison with her late husband Joseph Ashburn, and had met Betsy when he delivered Joseph's farewells to her. John died 34 years later, in 1817, after a long disability. Betsy Ross's life and struggles were truly impressive, perhaps even more so than the legendary flag making for which she is best known.
Fun Facts
QUICK FACTS
NAME Betsy Ross OCCUPATION Folk Hero BIRTH DATE January 1, 1752 DEATH DATE January 30, 1836 PLACE OF BIRTH Philadelphia, Pennsylvania PLACE OF DEATH Philadelphia, Pennsylvania AKA Betsy RossFULL NAME Elizabeth Ross MAIDEN NAME Elizabeth Griscom