Betsy RossBetsy Ross

By AnnaBy Anna

IntroductionIntroduction

Betsy Ross was an important part of Betsy Ross was an important part of American Revolution. She made the first American Revolution. She made the first flag in America. She was married 3 times, flag in America. She was married 3 times, and 2 out of her 8 daughters died. She and 2 out of her 8 daughters died. She only attended school until she was 12. only attended school until she was 12. Betsy Ross was amazing!Betsy Ross was amazing!

ChildhoodChildhood

• Betsy Ross had a simple childhood. Elizabeth Betsy Ross had a simple childhood. Elizabeth Griscom was born on January 1,1752 in Griscom was born on January 1,1752 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her family were Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her family were Quakers who worked hard and lived a simple life. Quakers who worked hard and lived a simple life. She learned to sew from her great-aunt Sarah She learned to sew from her great-aunt Sarah Elizabeth Ann Griscom. Betsy was a talented Elizabeth Ann Griscom. Betsy was a talented seamstress. She made friends with John Ross in seamstress. She made friends with John Ross in her father’s shop.her father’s shop.

EducationEducation

Betsy had an interesting schooling. She Betsy had an interesting schooling. She attended a Quaker public school where attended a Quaker public school where she learned how to read, write, and do she learned how to read, write, and do math. At age 12 her school days ended. math. At age 12 her school days ended. Her father wanted her to learn a trade at Her father wanted her to learn a trade at his upholstery shop. Betsy and her friend, his upholstery shop. Betsy and her friend, John Ross, wanted to open their own John Ross, wanted to open their own upholstery shop.upholstery shop.

FamilyFamily

Betsy’s family was very important to Betsy’s family was very important to her. As mentioned, her family were her. As mentioned, her family were Quakers. Their home and dress were Quakers. Their home and dress were plain. They didn’t play music, read novels, plain. They didn’t play music, read novels, or dance. They rejected war and would not or dance. They rejected war and would not pay taxes to support it. Betsy was married pay taxes to support it. Betsy was married and widowed 3 times in her life. Her first 2 and widowed 3 times in her life. Her first 2 husbands were sailors. Her last husband husbands were sailors. Her last husband worked with her in her shop. She had 2 worked with her in her shop. She had 2 daughters of whom 2 died at a young age.daughters of whom 2 died at a young age.

JobsJobs

She worked in a shop with her first She worked in a shop with her first husband, John Ross. Later, her third husband, John Ross. Later, her third husband, John Claypoole, worked with her husband, John Claypoole, worked with her in their upholstery shop. When the British in their upholstery shop. When the British forced their way into colonists homes, to forced their way into colonists homes, to survive, Betsy made dresses for Loyalist survive, Betsy made dresses for Loyalist women and mended uniforms for British women and mended uniforms for British offiers.offiers.

Flag FameFlag Fame

During the war, George Washington decided During the war, George Washington decided that they needed to unite the colonies. But who that they needed to unite the colonies. But who would make it? Betsy Ross supposedly made would make it? Betsy Ross supposedly made the first flag. There are several reasons to the first flag. There are several reasons to believe this. Fisrt, upholsterers made flags in believe this. Fisrt, upholsterers made flags in those days. George Ross (uncle of John Ross) those days. George Ross (uncle of John Ross) knew Betsy was a talented seamstress. Third, knew Betsy was a talented seamstress. Third, her family remembers stories of George her family remembers stories of George Washington asking her to make a flag. The first Washington asking her to make a flag. The first flag had 13 stripes &13 stars to represent the 13 flag had 13 stripes &13 stars to represent the 13 colonies.colonies.

ConclusionConclusion

With hardships in her life like she did, With hardships in her life like she did, Betsy was a very strong person. She Betsy was a very strong person. She played an important part in American played an important part in American history. Flag Day is almost Betsy Ross history. Flag Day is almost Betsy Ross Day to honor her for making the flag.Day to honor her for making the flag.

SourcesSources

Betsy Ross by Vicky Betsy Ross by Vicky Franchino .wikipedia.orgFranchino .wikipedia.org