The American Flag: The Unusual Life Saga of Betsy Ross

The American Flag was originally designed by Betsy Ross, as every school child learns. But, it’s unlikely that many know what a tumultuous life she led. She sustained many ups and downs, including three marriages in which her husbands died.

For that era, she had a long life, dying at age 84. She had been a business woman, skilled in many crafts, which led to her choice to sew the first american flag. Read on for an interesting account of Betsy Ross’s unusual life.

Three Mysteries Surround Betsy Ross

Do you know what the mysteries are that surround Betsy Ross? How many times was she married? How many children did she have? How many times was she buried? If you have answered yes or no, read on.

What are the mysteries that surround Betsy Ross?

Elizabeth Griscom was born on January 1, 1752. She was born the eighth of seventeen children sixteen girls and one boy. She was called Betsy. Her family were Quakers. Her parents were Samuel and Rebecca Griscom. Her father was a master carpenter.

Betsy went to school at a Quaker School. She learned reading, writing, arithmetic and sewing. After leaving school Betsy undertook an apprenticeship in upholstery, this is where she met and fell in love with John Ross. She learned to repair chairs, curtains, rugs umbrellas and to make flags.

Betsy and John eloped. Her parents did not approve of John since he was not a Quaker and Betsy was, “read out.” This means she was severed from her parents, her large family and the Quaker Community.

The couple returned to Philadelphia to start their own upholstery business in 1774. Betsy and John attended Christ Church and sat next to George Washington’s family. Betsy and John were married three years when John died in 1776 guarding an ammunition site during the Revolutionary War.

Betsy now widowed and alone inherited land. She continued to work at her upholstery business. Business was hard because of the Revolutionary war and material was hard to come by.

In the summer of 1776 Betsy met with the committee of three General, George Washington, George Ross, and Robert Morris. This led to the sewing of the first historical flag. Thirteen stars in a circle and thirteen strips. General, George Washington was very specific. He said, “I want the stars in a circle to represent the thirteen colonies. I do not want any of the colonies names above the others.”

In 1777 Betsy wed a sea captain Joseph Ashborn. They had two daughters one died in youth. Caption Ashborn was captured and died in prison.

In 1777 Betsy’s home was seized by the British Army during the historic winter at Valley Forge. Betsy was a strong supporter of the Militia.

Widowed again Betsy remarried an old friend John Claypoole, They had 5 daughters. John died in 1800 of a stroke.He had been bedridden for 17 years.

94 years later the story of the making of the first flag was told by Betsy’s grandson in 1780 William J. Canby at the meeting of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. The speech was printed in the Harper Weekly.

The only fact which was found after extensive research is this The State Navy Board Pennsylvania for May 29, 1777, an order on William Webb to Elizabeth Ross for fourteen pounds twelve shillings, and two pence for making ship’s colors, & c put into Richard’s store. Betsy made ship’s colors for Pennsylvania state ships.

There is not any other documentation available.

Not only does mystery surround Betsy about the making of the first flag - but in her death.

Betsy died in Philadelphia at age 84 completely blind. Her house is located at 239 Arch street, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania it isa popular tourist attraction.

Not only was Betsy married and widowed three times - she was buried three times. Betsy Ross was first buried at the Free Quaker burial ground on South 5th street. 20 years later her remains were exhumed and reburied in the Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia in the family gravesite. In the preparation of the United States Bicentennial the city ordered her remains to be moved to the Betsy Ross house in 1975. However, workers did not find any remains under her tombstone. Bones found elsewhere and unidentified were declared hers and re- buried in her grave at the Betsy Ross home.

Whose bones are in Betsy Ross’s grave. Hers, or another family member?

In 1909 a book was written by George Canby and nephew Lloyd Balderson. The book is titled, The Evolution of the American Flag. It gave positive information about Betsy making the first flag as was told to her family by Betsy.

A painting by Charles H. Weisgerber was printed into the book called, Birth Of Our Nations Flag. It showed Betsy and her granddaughters presenting the flag to General George Washington and others. This book became an instant sensation. The picture was printed in all the school text books in the United States.

A fund was started by school children to contribute ten cents each until they reach two million dollars to purchase and renovate the Betsy Ross house in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Historians do not believe the house is the Betsy Ross house. But once again records were not available.

Is the house really Betsy Ross’s house?

The question is why did the public believe Betsy Ross did indeed make the first flag?

(1) The Speech her grandson made at the Historical Sociiety of Pennsylvania.

(2) The book, The Evolution of the American Flag.

(3) Married 3 times and widowed two times during the Revolutionary War.

(4) Owned and managed her own land.

(5) Single mother.

(6) Business woman.

(7) Using Betsy’s name in advertising was big business for selling flags and other items.

(8) Managed her own household.

(9) Member of the “Fighting Quakers.”

(10) Made American Flags for 50 years.

(11) The public loved the idea of a woman being a hero.

Does it really matter if Betsy Ross sewed the first flag? She was a gutsy lady. Way before her time. She proved her patriotism many times over and mystery still surrounds her life.

Thank you for reading my article. Please feel free to read any of the numerous articles I have written on several different subjects.

Copyright Linda E. Meckler 2008

Linda is the author of her first published book, “Ghost Kids Trilogy. “Christy, 12 and her Brother Brad, 16 moves into an old house on top of a mountain and meet two Ghost Kids.

Then we have a mysterious, magical Blue Vase where Uncle Charlie the villain is trapped. He wants out of the Blue Vase and exchange he will tell Christy and Brad where Pirates’ Treasure is Hidden.

Take a walk with Christy and Brad down a dark hall hunting for Pirates” Treasure. You will think were you there right there with them.

Love, Family Values and Charity burst off the pages. http://www.lmeckler.com

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June 23 2008 | American Flags | No Comments »

Accessorize Your Landscaping with Garden Flags and Banners

Flags aren’t just for pride in our nations any more - many people are choosing to display a variety of Garden Flags and Banners to liven up their landscaping or for holidays and other special occasions, too. There’s really no limit to your imagination for including flags in your garden. The article that follows offers an entire panoply of suggestions.

Decorate to Celebrate With Garden Flags and Banners

Flags, banners and windsocks bring in a festive look. We tend to use decorative garden banners and flags outside the home. A pole is fixed to the house and this goes through the sleeve at the top of the banner which hangs down vertically. Flags, on the other hand hang on a conventional flagpole to represent your colors. Of course, there is no particular restriction that flags and banners must only be hung outside the house. Banners are larger than garden flags.

Garden flags are used on any occasion both inside and outside the house. Inside, they are hung as wall decorations. The most common places where we see large and mini garden flags are below the mailbox, along the driveway of the house, on the patio, porch or deck and the lawn. Often, flags are put up when a favorite sport is on, to support your favorite team or to celebrate a national holiday with the American flag. There are a variety of styles, colors and sizes in garden flag.

A mini garden flag can go up the regular way on a stand. You can also fix them to your car window or the windows of your home with the help of suction cups.

In addition to decorative garden banners and flags, windsocks or wind spinners are also used as decorations. Windsocks are like wind chimes that do not make any sound and can be as long as forty feet. These are hung from trees or from the side of the house and are usually cylindrical in appearance. Windsocks can also be hung on the same pole as your banner, if you have one. They have tassels at the end that cheerfully blow in the breeze. Windsocks can also come in different fun shapes such as animals and yes, they make great gifts too.

Garden flags can also be used to make wedding announcements, baby arrival news, and a whole lot of other special occasion messages. Some people just put their monogram on the house and garden flags. By putting up these flags or banners, you can add color to your home. They can be displayed the year around be it summer or winter.

Since banners and flags come in various sizes it is better to first measure the area in which you intend to place them before you buy them. Make sure that they are not too close to your outdoor cooking equipment, fireplace or bbq.

Interestingly, heat sublimation, silk screening or applique processes are used to make banners and garden flags. With heat sublimate flags, an artist drawing is printed with sublimation inks that permeate the fabric of the flag in such a way that it looks just like the original artist work. These kinds of flags look beautiful. The silk screened flags print the design on the surface of the fabric. Usually the heat sublimation and silk screened flags show only on one side of the flag. The appliqued flags are constructed by appliqueing several pieces of a picture together with a zig zag stitch and you can see the design on both sides of the flag.

You will need flagpoles and other display equipment to show off your flags and banners. You can either fix them to the sides of the house or drive them into the ground depending on the space available. Many people prefer to display their garden flags on a stand alone pole. Window hangers are handy for those who do not have the luxury of a porch or garden.

Flags and banners can be used over and over when you look after them. Since the ones hung outside can fade over time, applying a coat of scotch guard can leave them looking new for a longer time. Some people prefer to hang them out only on occasion and at other times, just wash and preserve them for the next time when they will need them.

About The Author: Jonathan Goodman is the owner of Market Merchants an online retailer specializing in home and garden products. My passion for bbq grilling and fireplaces is the core focus of Market Merchants. I am a member of the Hearth Patio Barbeque Association (HPBA), the National BBQ group (NBBQ), and the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS). We sell these products because we love them and are passionate about consumer living needs. So whether its furniture and decor, home improvement, kitchen and dining, or outdoor living Market Merchants brings a dedicated commitment to the customer and a passion for high quality products. Visit the Market Merchants website: http://marketmerchants.com

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June 18 2008 | flags | No Comments »

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