During the american revolution, ross made flags for the navy. In researching betsy ross, i truly came to respect those last two traits. Betsy ross s buisiness was very successful at the time. However, it is known that ross made flags for the navy. The first was the free quaker burial ground on south 5th street near locust, then the mount moriah cemetery, and finally, her remains were relocated to the courtyard of the betsy ross house on. To help you do so, heres a detailed chronology of the life and times, of the most famous upholsterer in american history. Betsy ross is widely credited with designing and constructing the first american flag, but here are eight things you might not know about this star. Betsy ross died on january 30, 1836, at the age of 84. Betsy ross, often credited with sewing the nations first flag, apprenticed not as a seamstress but as an upholsterer, learning to make and repair curtains, bedcovers, tablecloths, rugs. Students read a brief biography of betsy ross, after which they put together a betsy ross book. She was one of thirteen children and the eighth oldest. Because betsy ross was married outside her church out of meeting, she was disowned by the friends.
Church, which was her hometown church from the days of her childhood. Join facebook to connect with betsy ross and others you may know. Ross remains both a mythologized character in a folk tale and a real, historical person who may or may not have done the thing people all know her for doing. On june 14, 1777, the continental congress 1, on a motion from john adams 2, adopted the stars and stripes as the national flag. She was born elizabeth griscom, the eighth of seventeen children. The betsy ross timeline reviels that she sewed the first flag of the united states in. She was born on january 1, 1752, and died on january 30, 1836 when she was 84. For more fascinating insight into this remarkable woman, take a look at yourdictionary s betsy ross timeline. Betsy had made a point of teaching her daughters to sew and before she died, she turned over her upholstery business to them.
Then he died 34 years later because of disabilities. She was born on 1 january 1752 and passed away on 30 january 1836. The revolutionary war freed us from the british all thanks to the women who made the first american flag betsy ross. George washington and two other representatives from the continental congress called upon a philadelphia seamstress, betsy ross, to ask her to make a. They came to her to ask her to sew the first american flag. Meetings with colonel ross and robert morris cannot be documented.
The betsy ross flag is a longlasting piece of americas history. Even if she did not really sew the first stars and stripes, betsy ross is an important name in american history. Betsy ross i bet you didnt know this about her ladies in. Betsy ross hat, wig, and flag durable and stain resistant manmade fabrics a hit at your next book report patriotic plays, parades, or dress up time forum novelties offers a huge variety of historical figures perfect for stage productions. And as ledgend has it, george washington asked her to create the first american flag.
One year before william penn founded philadelphia in 1681, betsy rosss greatgrandfather, andrew griscom, a quaker carpenter, had already emigrated from england. She was also called as elizabeth ashburn and elizabeth calypoole due to her second and third marriage. It is most likely that she made the one called the cambridge flag, or continental colors. The young couple returned to philadelphia, and john ross opened his own upholstery shop on arch street. United states flag store carries betsy ross flags in standard or stick flag sizes. Her vision lives on today every time we wave our flag. The important facts about betsy ross include the legend that she sewed the first american flag. Betsy ross was born january 1, 1752 and died at the age of 84 on january 30, 1836. She was the eighth out of 17 children to be born in the griscom family.
What struck me most about the betsy ross story is the same thing that struck me when researching pompeii so much of history is skewed because we only know how rich people lived. The young man she had fallen in love was not a quaker and therefore, the union was not sanctioned. Betsy ross flag facts her life and times betsy ross her life by jonathan schamlzbach and douglas heller this material is ed by and used by permission of. Betsy marries john ross betsy marries john ross, an episcopal clergyman and changes her last name to ross. Mar 05, 2012 in researching betsy ross, i truly came to respect those last two traits. Betsy ross was 84 when she died in 1836 in philadelphia. Betsy ross is visited by george washington and is asked to make the u. The betsy ross legend is extremely popular and wellknown, and the house, which she and her husbands leased from 1773 to 1785, is among the most visited historic sites in old city philadelphia. Then betsy married one last time to john claypoole, they met when he delivered her late husbands farewells. Built more than 250 years ago, the building now known as the betsy ross house was home to not just betsy, but to dozens of artisans and shopkeepers over the years before it was opened to the public as a museum in 1898. The first was the free quaker burial ground on south 5th street near locust, then the mount moriah cemetery, and finally, her remains were relocated to the courtyard of the betsy ross house on arch street, philadelphia, pennsylvania. Betsy ross 17521836 became a patriotic icon in the late 19th century when stories surfaced that she had sewn the first stars and stripes.
Legend says that betsy ross sewed the first flag of the united states in 1776. Note that betsy ross has been buried in three different locations over the years. She grew up in a house hold where the plain dress and strict discipline of the society of friends dominated her life. Elizabeth betsy griscom was born on january 1, 1752, in.
Timetoasts free timeline maker lets you create timelines online. Nylon flags are of higher quality, but cost slightly more. This meeting occurred in her home some time late in may 1776. That flag was raised at somerville, massachusetts, on january 1, 1776, as the flag of the continental army. Legend or legacy, here at patriot wood, we wanted to showcase the incredible story behind the betsy ross flag with our own betsy ross wood flag. Betsy ross with major ross, robert morris and george washington explaining how she cut the stars for the american flag. Betsy ross i bet you didnt know this about her ladies. Historians believe it is possible, but there is no proof that she actually did it.
History of the betsy ross house historic philadelphia. At the time, john ross runs an upholstery business on arch street. Although the story is widely popular, there is no firm support for it. So betsy got married to joseph ashburn who died in a british prison because he got captured. See the fact file below for more information on the betsy ross or alternatively, you can download our 22page betsy ross worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment. Best reason to visit is the historical analysis of the ross story including transcripts of primary sources such as canbys 1870 paper and affidavits from ross children that includes point and counterpoint arguments perfect for a classroom project. Betsy ross and her legend of the first american flag a. In 1776, at the start of the american revolution, john was killed by a gunpowder explosion while on militia duty at the philadelphia. Read our betsy ross facts to learn all about this inspiring woman of the revolutionary war. The representatives were george washington, robert morris, and george ross. While we may never know if she actually made the first flag of the united states, we do know some important facts about betsy ross that may give us an insight into the role of women in revolutionary america.
This unique flag proudly features a circle of stars to represent the original colonies. Betsy ross little book printable k 3rd grade teachervision. It appears that the story first surfaced in the writings of her grandson in the 1870s a century after the fact, with no mention or. In 1975, the remains were moved once again and reinterred on the grounds of the betsy ross house in philadelphia. Betsy ross was born in philadelphia, pennsylvania on january 1, 1752. Though most historians dismiss the story, ross family tradition holds that general george. Today the american knight holds the commercial supremacy of the world betsy ross. Although the betsy ross house, where she is reputed to have made the flag, is one of the most visited tourist sites in philadelphia, the claim that she once lived there is also matter of dispute. The structure is a variation of a bandbox or trinity style house, with one room on each floor and a winding staircase stretching from the cellar to the upper levels. November 21, 1773 betsy elpoed with john ross june 21, 1775 ross start their own upholstery business. Betsy ross simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Polyester and cotton flags are imported and are valuepriced. The american revolution is often remembered as an event featuring men like george washington and ben franklin, but many women. She was raised in philadelphia with her father, samuel griscom.
After her death, she became a model of patriotism and a key figure in the legend of early american history. The home betsy ross lived in, when she sewed the first american flag, was built perhaps 40 or so years before the birth of america. One of seventeen children and born into a quaker home, elizabeth griscom married her first husband, john ross, in 1773. First she was buried at the free quaker burial ground in philadelphia. Betsy married john ross and made a business with john. Betsy ross was born elizabeth griscom on january 1, 1752 in philadelphia, pennsylvania. Ross still carries on the business doing a variety of projects ranging from making small flags for naval vessels, making flags for pennsylvania and even sewing ruffles on george washingtons shirt. Throughout the twentieth century, generations of american children learned the story of betsy ross as part of their patriotic education. Betsy ross met with three members of a secret committee from continental congress. She was reburied in the free quaker burying ground in 1857. Betsy ross was born elizabeth griscom and is widely credited with making the first american flag but there is no evidence that the tale is true. Her full name was elisabeth griscom and she was raised to work with upholstering author not stated. This book includes reproducible materials for 16 little books, a timeline, a u. Betsy gets married at the age of seventeen, betsy met.
Betsy ross although the evidence is not solid, most historians point to upholsterer betsy ross 17521836 as the woman who sewed the first u. George washington, robert morris, and george ross, asked her to sew the first flag. Make educational timelines or create a timeline for your company website. Today the american knight holds the commercial supremacy of the worldbetsy ross. I dressed as betsy ross during my elementary school hero day. Betsy ross, credited with sewing the first american flag, is believed to. Like many patriots, he served in the local militia. A timeline created with timetoasts interactive timeline maker. Betsy rosss buisiness was very successful at the time. This contributes very much to our own history, and i believe geroge washington picked the right person. Betsy ross, according to legend, sewed the first american flag in may or june as commissioned by the congressional committee. Facts about betsy ross talk about the woman who made the first american flag in 1776. The betsy ross house remains dedicated to its mission of preserving the historic site and interpreting the life of betsy ross, a working class, 18th century tradeswoman.
This pack includes 1 nonfiction biography of betsy ross passage with challenging comprehension questions, answer key, 2 pages of lined writing paper with clipart, a compare and contrast graphic organizer, and a main idea and details graphic organizer. Betsy ross made the flag with thirteen stars and thirteen stripes for a reason. The life of betsy ross timeline timetoast timelines. Standard flags measure 3feet by 5feet flags are made of nylon, polyester or 100 percent cotton. Betsy already knew george washington and george ross, which is why they asked her to make the flag. Her parents were rebecca james and samuel griscom who were quakers. Betsy learned to sew from her great aunt sarah elizabeth ann griscom. But did she actually sew the first american flag draw your own conclusions. Betsy ross january 1, 1752 in philadelphia, pennsylvania january 30, 1836 in philadelphia, pennsylvania, born elizabeth griscom and also known by her second and third married names elizabeth ashburn and elizabeth claypoole, is widely known as making the first american flag. One year before william penn founded philadelphia in 1681, betsy ross s greatgrandfather, andrew griscom, a quaker carpenter, had already emigrated from england. While this painting and others like it did much to cement betsy ross into americas national mythology, the facts about ross s true role in the creation of the first u. Betsy ross was indeed a real person, and she did make flags for the government. There is, however, no evidence that the story is true. The betsy ross story continued to gain prominence around the turn of the century, as flag fever swept a nation facing challenges when immigration seemingly threatened american traditions.
The front portion was built around 1740, with the stair hall or piazza and the rear section added 10 to 20 years later. Elizabeth griscom ross january 1, 1752 january 30, 1836, nee griscom, also known by. February 21, 1776 joined fighting quakers may 21, 1776 betsy ross made the first u. Elizabeth griscom ross january 1, 1752 january 30, 1836, nee griscom, also known by her second and third married names, ashburn and claypoole, was an american upholsterer who was credited by her relatives in 1870 with making the first american flag, accordingly known as the betsy ross flag. Jun 30, 20 betsy ross is widely credited with designing and constructing the first american flag, but here are eight things you might not know about this starspangled leading lady of the american revolution. Ledgend also had it that betsy ross was the one to come up with the name, united states of america. Betsy ross january 1, 1752january 30, 1836 was a colonial seamstress who is usually credited with creating the first american flag. The betsy ross page from is my pick of the day for the variety of its resources.
The building at 239 arch street, now known as the betsy ross house, was built over 250 years ago. Betsy ross made the first american flag during the war for independence. The lives of poor or workingclass people were rarely preserved. See 495 photos from 9017 visitors about betsy, tours, and american flag. Further, it is illogical to assume that washington was present at the alleged meeting with betsy ross on the design of the flag when it is known that he wanted a national standard made for the use of the army in 1779. While this painting and others like it did much to cement betsy ross into americas national mythology, the facts about rosss true role in the creation of the first u. You may know about the betsy ross flag, but you probably didnt know that betsy lost two husbands to the war, was kicked out of her church for marrying the wrong guy and was born into a family with 17 children.
Betsy ross has been credited with making the first american flag, does this story agree with the historical facts. On november 4, 1773, the two eloped to gloucester, new jersey. Birth betsy s ross s real name was elizabeth griscom. Elizabeth claypoole, quaker flag makera historical perspective. In 1995, a private nonprofit organization, historic philadelphia, inc. Betsy ross, seamstress who, according to family stories, fashioned and helped design the first flag of the united states.