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Childhood
Betsy was born in 1752. She learned to sew in 1758 when she was an apprentice to an upholster. -
Betsy Ross Gets Married to John Ross
Betsy eloped with John Ross. They crossed the Delaware and got married in New Jersey. She was cut off from her Quaker family because of this. -
Business
Betsy and John started their own upholstery business together. Their business was in New Jersey. -
First Husband Dies
John joined the militia and died in a gun powder explosion. Betsy obtained his property and their business. She worked very hard making flags for Pennsylvania. -
Meeting with George Washington
In late May, Betsy Ross met with George Washington, Robert Morris and George Ross. They asked Betsy to make the American Flag. -
The Flag
Betsy Ross made the flag with thirteen stars in a circle with a blue background in the top left corner, and thirteen horizontal red and white stripes around it. It was made in June of 1776. -
Congress Adopted the Flag
Congress adopted Betsy Ross's flag as the official national flag. Then the flag was called "Stars and Stripes." -
First American Flag Raised in Battle
The Betsy Ross Flag was raised at Cooch's Bridge Maryland, making it the first time an American flag was flown in battle. -
The Little Rebel
In the Winter of 1777-78 British soldiers who occupied her house called her "The Little Rebel" because of her patriotic views. Their home was occupied by British soldiers because of the British invasion of Philadelphia. -
Betsy Ross's Burial
When Betsy Ross died, she was buried with her third husband at the Free Quaker burial ground. Twenty years later her remains were moved to the Mount Moriah Cemetery. In 1975 the Betsy Ross foundation wanted her remains at the courtyard of the Betsy Ross house. When the Betsy Ross foundation dug up her grave, they found nothing. Later they dug farther away and uncovered two boxes stating it was Betsy and her third husband's remains. We are still not sure to this day if it is actually her remains.
