Betsy Ross is a name that has been immortalized in American history for her role in creating the first American flag. Born Elizabeth Griscom in Philadelphia in 1752, she was the eighth of seventeen children in her Quaker family. She was educated in a Quaker school and learned sewing and needlework skills from her mother.
At the age of 21, Betsy eloped with John Ross, an Anglican man, and joined the Free Quaker movement. John was killed in a gunpowder accident in 1776, leaving Betsy a widow at the age of 24. It was during this time that Betsy opened her own upholstery business and became a respected member of the community.
According to legend, Betsy Ross was approached by George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross (John Ross's uncle) in 1776 to make a flag for the new nation. They showed her a sketch of what they had in mind, which consisted of thirteen stripes and thirteen stars in a circle. Betsy suggested that the stars should be arranged in a five-pointed star instead of a circle, which Washington and the others agreed to.
Although there is no definitive proof that Betsy Ross actually sewed the first American flag, her role in its creation has been widely accepted. In fact, she was commissioned by the Pennsylvania State Navy Board to make flags for their ships during the Revolutionary War. She continued to make flags for the government until her retirement in 1827.
Betsy Ross was also an advocate for women's rights and was involved in several Quaker organizations that promoted equality for women. She was a member of the Free Quaker movement, which allowed women to speak and participate in meetings. She was also involved in the Female Association of Philadelphia, which provided support for families affected by the war.
Betsy Ross died in 1836 at the age of 84. She is buried in the Quaker cemetery in Philadelphia. In 1870, her grandson William J. Canby presented a paper to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania claiming that his grandmother had made the first American flag. The story gained national attention, and Betsy Ross became a national icon.
Today, Betsy Ross is remembered as a pioneering woman who played a significant role in the birth of the United States. Her contributions to the country's history and culture have been recognized in numerous ways, including the naming of the Betsy Ross Bridge in Philadelphia and the Betsy Ross House museum, which is open to the public. Her legacy lives on as a symbol of American patriotism and ingenuity.