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Title
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Ross, Betsy (1752-1836)
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birthday
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1752-01-01
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Birthplace
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Gloucester City, New Jersey
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Death Date
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1836-01-30
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Occupation
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Upholsterer
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Biographical Text
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Betsy Ross was a professional upholsterer credited for creating the first American flag. Ross was born Elizabeth Griscom, in Gloucester City, Colony of New Jersey, now modern-day New Jersey. Ross was the ninth of seventeen children with only eight of her siblings surviving past childhood. Growing up she learned to sew from her great aunt, Sarah Elizabeth Ann Griscom. After completing school, Ross began apprenticing under upholsterer John Webster. She began working in the upholstery business in 1773, repairing war uniforms and crafting tents, blankets and cartridges for prepared packaged ammunition. She made flags for the Pennsylvania Navy during the American Revolution, and continued creating US flags for over 50 years following its end. Ross family tradition states that she was visited by General George Washington and congressional committee members Robert Morris and George Ross in 1776 to discuss the need for a new flag. During this interaction, it is said that Ross convinced Washington to change the shape of the stars on the flag from six to five-pointed, for easier construction. This is the most notable moment that connects Ross to the creation of the American flag.
Ross married John Ross in 1773, eloping at Hugg's Tavern in Gloucester City, NJ. John passed in 1775. Ross married her second husband, Joseph Ashburn, on June 15, 1777, after John's passing 1775. They had two daughters, Zilla and Eliza. Zilla died at nine months old. In May 1783, three years after Joseph's death, Ross married John Claypoole. Together they had five daughters, Clarissa Susan, Jane, Rachel, and Harriet. Harriet passed in infancy. Ross passed on January 30, 1836 at the age of 84.
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Contributor
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O'Neill, Iris
