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Birth
Betsy Ross is born on January 1st, 1752, as Elizabeth Griscom. Betsy was the eigth of seventeen children. -
Period: to
Life and Death
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Apprentice
Betsy, at age 17, starts apprenticing the local upholsterer. This takes place after Betsy finishes her schooling. This event is important because it starts the career that eventually leads to her sewing the flag.
~No specific day given -
Marriage
Betsy Ross, at this time Elizabeth Griscom, elopes with John Ross. This caused a huge split between Betsy and her family because John was a fellow apprentice where Betsy apprenticed and John was an Episcopal rector. They were only married two years.
~No specific day given. -
Widow
Two years after John Ross and Betsy Ross married, John died from a gunpowder explosion. Some think John more likely died from illness in the war. However, John would end up being Betsy's first husband.
~No specific day given. -
Flag Maker
Betsy Ross starts sewing flags for Pennsylvania during the American Revolution. She also owns an upholstery business that she maintains by herself. This is the next step in Betsy's flag-making career.
~This was during the American Revolution. No specific day. -
Flag Flies
Betsy Ross' American flag first flies at Independence Hall in 1776. This flag was 18-by-24-feet. This was the first true American Flag.
~No specific day given. -
Washington
General George Washington asks Betsy Ross to come up with a design for the new American flag. She has the final input on the design, for example, her idea to use 5-pointed-stars. Betsy then makes the first ever American flag.
~No specific day given. -
Again
Betsy marries her second husband, Joseph Ashburn. Joseph was a sailor in the Revolutionary War, who would later be captured by the British. However, Betsy and Joseph had two kids together.
~June 1777 is correct, but there was not a specific day given. -
2nd Dead
Before 1782, when the British released their prisoners of war, Joseph Ashburn is captured. He is imprisoned at Old Mill. Here, Joseph dies from an unknown illness, leaving Betsy alone again.
~Joseph died before 1782 in the prison. -
And Again
On May 8th, 1783, Betsy and John Claypoole are married. Finally, Betsy would be in a relationship that lasted more than two years. Betsy and John would be married for 34 years together. -
More Flags
In 1810, Betsy Ross and her daughters sewed a massive flag. This flag was an 18-by-24-foot garrison flag. This flag was to be sent to New Orleans.
~No specific day given -
Poor John
John Clayppole, Betsy's third husband, dies in 1817. John was disabled as a result of earlier war injuries. John was disabled for 20 years beofre dying in 1817.
~No specific day given. -
Blind
Betsy is completely blind. At this time, Betsy was 81 years old. For the last three years of her life, she lived with her daughter's family.
~No specific day. -
Death
Betsy Ross, the first American flag maker, dies.
