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Birth Date
Betsy Ross was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. -
Early Life and School
Betsy Ross was the eighth of 17 children. She attended a Quaker school and was apprenticed to William Webster. In her apprenticeship with Webster she learned to sew multiple things. -
Marriage
At age 21, Betsy crossed the Delaware River to New Jersey to elope with John Ross, a fellow apprentice of Webster's and the son of an Episcopal priest. This got her expelled from the Quaker Church. John Ross died shortly after two years of marriage. -
A visit from Washington
The summer of 1776, it is said that Betsy Ross received a visit from George Washington. He talked to her about a design for the new nations flag. Going against Washington's design, Ross argued for stars with 5 points instead of 6. -
British Soldiers
In the winter of 1777 Betsy's house was used to lodge British soldiers. Even with all of that she still ran her upholstery shop. After they all left, she wove cloth pouches which were used to hold gun powder for the Continental army. -
Marriage (Again)
On June 15, 1777 Betsy married Joseph Ashburn and they had two daughters. Ashburn passed in 1782. A year after his death, Betsy married John Claypoole and they had five daughters. -
Sewing
Throughout the next decades, Betsy and her daughters sewed upholstery. She also made flags, banners, and standards for the new nation. This hobby took up most of her time. -
Betsy and John Claypoole
Betsy's third and final husband was John Claypoole. He was very influential in her upholstery business because he helped her run it. Betsy and John were very active in their business but unfortunately John Claypoole died after many years of illness in 1817. -
Retirement
In 1827 after John Claypoole passed Betsy decided that it was time to retire. Shortly after retirement she moved in with one of her married daughters named Susannah Satterthwaite. At the time they were living in Abington, Pennsylvania which is north of Philadelphia. -
Death Date
Betsy Ross died at the age of 84 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. -
National Enthusiasm
The U.S.'s first official world fair to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence was coming up. As that was quickly approaching enthusiasm for the flag grew. Not only did enthusiasm for the flag increase, national pride did as well. -
The Famous Story
During that period, Betsy Claypoole's (at the time) grandson William Canby revealed the family tale to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. It explained to the people that Betsy Ross was the one who was responsible for creating the first American flag. However, there were other seamstresses at the time. Today she is widely known for creating the first American flag and is one of the most important women in history.
