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Betsy Ross

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Betsy Ross
Betsy Ross was an American woman credited with making the first American flag, known as the Betsy Ross flag. She was a fourth-generation American born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She and her husband John Ross owned an upholstery business and it is believed that President George Washington requested Betsy to make the first American flag. Ross making the first American flag has been disputed by many scholars due to the lack of proper evidence. This information was shared with the public by her grandson 100 years after the fact and 50 years after her death. The story was first published in ‘Harper's Monthly.’ According to a pamphlet, she was also credited for coming up with the name "United States of America," but there is no evidence to back this claim as well. She married thrice in her life and had many children and grandchildren. Although she is primarily credited for creating the first flag, many scholars have stated that her legacy should be more about what inspired working women during the American Revolution. The Betsy Ross House is a popular tourist attraction in Philadelphia that honors her life.
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Born
January 1, 1752
Birth Place
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Nationality
American
Sun Sign
Capricorn
Also Known As
Elizabeth Griscom Ross
Famous As
Woman Who Made The First American Flag
Died At Age
84
Place Of Death
Philadelphia
Father
Samuel Griscom (1717–1793)
Mother
Rebecca James Griscom (1721–1793)
Spouse(s)
John Claypoole (m. 1783–1817), John Ross (m. 1773–1776), Joseph Ashburn (m. 1777–1782)
Siblings
Abigail Griscom, Ann Griscom, Deborah Griscom Bolton, George Griscom, Hannah Griscom Levering, Joseph Griscom, Martha Griscom, Mary Griscom Morgan, Rachael Griscom, Rebecca Griscom, Samuel Griscom I, Samuel Griscom II, Sarah Griscom, Sarah Griscom Donaldson, Susannah Griscom Doane Satterthwaite, William Griscom
Children
Aucilla Ashburn, Clarissa Sidney Claypoole Wilson, Elizabeth Ashburn Claypoole Silliman, Harriet Claypoole, Jane Claypoole Canby, Rachel Claypoole Jones Fletcher, Susannah Claypoole Satterthwaite
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Forest Park Review

District 91 board closes Grant-White, holds off closing Betsy Ross

Forest Park School District 91’s board of education unanimously approved the scaled-back version of its school closure and restructuring plans, deciding Thursday night to close Grant-White Intermediate School, 147 Circle Ave. and to leave Betsy Ross Primary School, 1315 Marengo Ave., open for at least another school year. At...
FOREST PARK, IL
Picture for District 91 board closes Grant-White, holds off closing Betsy Ross
Forest Park Review

Betsy Ross parents, teachers, neighbors speak up for their school

While no one who spoke at the May 5 Forest Park School District 91 public hearing about the proposed closure of Grant-White Intermediate and Betsy Ross Primary schools outright said they didn’t want the schools closed, they made their feelings clear. The hearing, which was held at Betsy Ross,...
FOREST PARK, IL
Picture for Betsy Ross parents, teachers, neighbors speak up for their school
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philadelphianeighborhoods.com

Old City: Panel Revisits the Hidden History of Betsy Ross

Most people may think of children’s stories and myths of the American Revolution when they hear the name Betsy Ross, but a recent panel discussion hosted by the American Repertory Theater and the Museum of the American Revolution highlighted various artistic and scholarly attempts to change those impressions. “The...
PHILADELPHIA, PA
newhavenarts.org

Betsy Ross Makes Black History Month Its Own

Tyra Geter raised one arm to the sky as Trey Songz’ “How Many More Times” filled the auditorium, and dancers moved their faces slowly heavenward. Behind her, Trayvon Martin’s sweet, smiling face appeared on the screen. His eyes were so soft. Geter lifted her whole body and swung back on one leg, then stepped forward. In front of the stage, dance teacher Nikki Claxton watched every movement, unblinking .
NEW HAVEN, CT
Atlantic City Press

No toll increases on Ben Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry and Betsy Ross bridges in 2022

Motorists who cross the Ben Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry and Betsy Ross bridges will not have to pay more in tolls next year. The Delaware River Port Authority Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution Wednesday to postpone a scheduled toll increase on the bridges until at least 2023. The action marks the 11th year the DRPA will go without a toll increase on its four bridges across the Delaware River between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, authority officials said.
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newhavenarts.org

A Tree Grows At Betsy Ross

Lucy Gellman Photos. William Tisdale is pouring the water. Eighth grader Valerie Riley read in a clear voice, the words sailing over a grassy island and into the parking lot. Trees offer to those that love them/A message of peace and rest/They bring the glow of the setting sun/As it vanishes West.
NEW HAVEN, CT
eastaurorany.com

Tales of Old Elma: Sue Howe Blazak: Elma’s Own Betsy Ross

This tale is about one Elma resident who did many things, touched many lives, and launched a crusade on an issue in which she had strong beliefs. This tale is about Sue Howe Blazak, a.k.a. Betsy Ross. Most who knew her called her “Sue” so we’ll use that name here.
NETFLIX
ozarksfn.com

Summer, rodeos and Betsy Ross

From the infancy of America, many gutsy women have famously paved the way in the founding of our nation and the development of industry. Betsy Ross is one of my favorite historical American icons. She met with General (at the time) George Washington when he visited her home. It was there they discussed the design of the first American flag. Washington had lobbied for a design featuring 6-pointed stars while Ross thought they should have only five. Ross won that argument and designed the first American flag. Today, the flag features a beautiful 13 strips and 50 stars, and every patriot loves to see it fly high when our national anthem is played. Betsy Ross was a gutsy woman and a great patriot.
ARKANSAS STATE
SFist

Diary Belonging to Husband of Betsy Ross Found In Marin County Garage

In another reminder to always go through your deceased relatives’ possessions lest you lose an amazing artifact, Betsy Ross’s third husband’s diary has been gathering dust in a Marin County garage until it was recently found. Legendary 18th century Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross’s real name was not Betsy Ross. Her...
MARIN COUNTY, CA
insideedition.com

Betsy Ross Descendants Reunite in Philadelphia After Lost Diary Is Found

Descendents of Bety Ross, considered one of America's most beloved patriots, gathered together in Philadelphia to commemorate their ancestor after her husband's old diary was unearthed. The nearly 200-year-old journal belonged to Ross's third spouse, John Claypoole. Born Elizabeth "Betsy" Griscom on Jan. 1, 1752 in Philadelphia, historians believe she...
PHILADELPHIA, PA
Newsweek

The Betsy Ross Flag Controversy Explained

The Betsy Ross flag was an early design of the U.S. flag. It featured 13 stars, instead of the 50 seen in the current version of the flag, along with the white and red stripes. The exact origins of this flag have been a subject of controversy over the years, with some questioning whether Ross created the flag.
POLITICS
Moscow-Pullman Daily News

Betsy Ross descendants reunite over artifacts

PHILADELPHIA — When her mom died last summer, Aileen Edge and her husband, Dave, made the long, sad drive down from Washington state to settle affairs. Claire Canby Keleher lived outside of San Francisco and had been in declining health for some time, but her death was still unexpected, and Aileen was understandably upset. Her mom was a warm, welcoming woman, she said, with family and many friends who were prevented from proper mourning by the pandemic.
ENTERTAINMENT
nationalgeographic.com

Betsy Ross likely didn’t sew the first U.S. flag

It wasn’t until a century after the Revolutionary War—in a time of flag fervor—that the Philadelphia seamstress’ story became an urban legend. It’s the stuff of elementary school pageants and patriotic legend: In the capital of a new nation at war with its colonial rulers, a widowed seamstress made history when she fashioned the first American flag. Her name was Betsy Ross, and … stop right there.
POLITICS
Marietta Daily Journal

Betsy Ross descendants reunite with each other and with artifacts of their mythic ancestor

PHILADELPHIA – When her mom died last summer, Aileen Edge and her husband, Dave, made the long, sad drive down from Washington state to settle affairs. Claire Canby Keleher lived outside of San Francisco and had been in declining health for some time, but her death was still unexpected, and Aileen was understandably upset. Her mom was a warm, welcoming woman, she said, with family and many friends who were prevented from proper mourning by the pandemic.
PHILADELPHIA, PA
nhgazette.com

Betsy Ross to Gov. Sununu

CONCORD—In her rocking chair, and sewing stars on the makings of new nation’s flag, Betsy Ross worked and greeting visitors on Flag Day outside the New Hampshire State House. “Betsy,” portrayed by Derry resident Corinne Dodge, spoke with tourists, chatted with legislators, and posed for pictures, but the person she came to see, Governor Sununu, never came down for a visit. She had intended to thank him for his comments about New Hampshire being the “gold standard” for state elections, and for not supporting those who are spreading misinformation to justify more restrictive voting laws.
DERRY, NH