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Early Life
Betsy Ross was born on January 1, 1752 in the colonial city of Philadelphia. She was the eighth child of seventeen children. She grew up in a Quaker family and went to a school that was apprenticed by William Webster. This is the school that taught her how to sew. -
1773
When Betsy Ross was 21 years old, in 1773, she crossed a river to New Jersey with John Ross, her husband. They both started their own upholstery shop together where they made items such as flags for people. Later on, John Ross joined the militia and died nearly two years after their marriage. -
Betsy Ross's Shop during the American Revolution
Their business was suffering during the American Revolution. Since money was tight and the other effects of war were in play, they could not find the fabrics that they needed in order to keep up their shop. Their business had less customers and orders. -
Summer of 1776
In the summer of 1776, Betsy Ross was appointed by George Washington to design and to make a flag for the new nation. Betsy Ross finilized the design that the Continental Congress and George Washington had come up with the basic design with. This is important because with out her making the flag, she wouldn't have been known. -
Betsy Ross Making the Design of the Flag
In 1776, Betsy was running her own upholstery shop. This involved her making furniture and even flags. She showed Washington a rough design of the flag. The committee trusted Besty to make the first flag. -
The First Flag of the United States
Betsy Ross finished the flag in late May or early June of 1776. The Continental Congress later then adopted the national flag on June 14, 1776. This is the flag that becomes famous for becoming the first flag of the United States. The stars on the flag represents the 13 colonies, stars soon keep being added on to as states are added into the United States. The red stripes represent hardiness & valour, and the blue stars signifie vigilance, perseverance & Justice. -
Betsy Ross and John Claypoole in an Uphostery Business
In May Betsy married John Claypoole, a sailor who had also been in the Old Mill Prison with Captain Asburn. This ceremony was the first of her marriages to be performed at Christ Church, which was her hometown church from the days of her childhood. Betsy convinced John Claypoole to stop sailing and to join her in the upholstery business. -
Betsy Ross Teaching her Children
Betsy Ross taught her daughters how to sew, and they made many flags together in their shop. Over the next many years, Betsy made flags for many other companies. She made flags for forts, ships, and even the Indians with her daughters. -
When Betsy Ross Stopped Making Flags
At the age of 75, Betsy stopped working. Her eye sight was getting bad, and she knew it was time to stop. Her legacy of making the first American flag would not have been forgotten though. -
Beaty Ross's Legacy and Final Days
Throughout the years, she had brought many of her family members into the business with her including her daughter. Betsy moved to Abington, Pennsylvania to live with her daughter Susannah for the rest of her days. She died peacefully in her home of old age.
