Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....05-16-03...."Betsy Ross, A Profile in History"
Billie; Mama_Bear

Posted on 05/16/2003 5:30:56 AM PDT by Mama_Bear



A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day
Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.
A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.
On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY
If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.
We're having fun and hope you are!

~ Billie, daisyscarlett, dansangel, dutchess, Mama_Bear






"While Americans recognize and celebrate collective achievements such as the writing of the Declaration of Independence, victory in the Revolutionary War, or the landing of a man on the Moon -- it is individual accomplishment that is cherished the most. The "stars" of the aforementioned events -- Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Neil Armstrong -- outshine the collective constellation. One person's contribution can define the course and meaning of history."
Betsy Ross is one of the of those persons.

Today we shine the Finest Spotlight on one of the most cherished women in our country's history ~ the woman behind the name that we have come to associate with America's first flag.


Congressional Committee of George Washington, George Ross, and Robert Morris
conferring with Betsy Ross as to the design of the new flag of the United States.
~ Painting by Charles Weisgerber ~



The story of Betsy Ross's life is
one of triumph through adversity....

Elizabeth Griscom -- also called Betsy, was born on January 1, 1752 in Philadelphia. The eighth child of seventeen, she was raised in the strict discipline common to the Quakers of that time period. After completing her schooling, Betsy's father apprenticed her to a local upholsterer. It was then that she met and fell in love with another apprentice, John Ross, who was the son of an Episcopal assistant rector at Christ Church.

Quakers frowned on inter-denominational marriages. The penalty for such unions was severe -- the guilty party being "read out" of the Quaker meeting house. Getting "read out" meant being cut off emotionally and economically from both family and meeting house. On a November night in 1773, 21-year-old Betsy eloped with John Ross. They ferried across the Delaware River to Hugg's Tavern and were married in New Jersey. Her wedding caused an irrevocable split from her family.

As upholsterers, John and Betsy were familiar with all types of needlework and eventually opened their own upholstery business. Their decision was a bold one as competition was tough and they could not count on Betsy's Quaker circle for business. At the same time, the Revolutionary War was severely impacting their business. Fabrics needed for business were becoming hard to come by. Business was slow. It was during this time that John joined the Pennsylvania militia. While guarding an ammunition cache in mid-January 1776, John Ross was mortally wounded in an explosion. Though his young wife tried to nurse him back to health he died on the 21st and was buried in Christ Church cemetery.


The Meeting....


In late May of 1776 Betsy was visited in her home by three members of a committee from the Continental Congress. Those representatives, George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross, asked her to sew the first flag. George Washington was then the head of the Continental Army. Robert Morris, an owner of vast amounts of land, was perhaps the wealthiest citizen in the Colonies. Colonel George Ross was a respected Philadelphian and also the uncle of her late husband, John Ross.

Betsy Ross already knew George Ross as she had married his nephew. Furthermore, Betsy was also acquainted with General Washington. Not only did they both worship at Christ Church in Philadelphia, but Betsy's pew was next to George and Martha Washington's pew. Washington had often been in her house for friendly visits, as well as on business. She had been commissioned to embroider ruffles for his shirt bosoms and cuffs, and it was because of her fine needlework as well as his friendship for her that she was chosen to make the flag.

According to Betsy, General Washington showed her a rough design of the flag that included a six-pointed star. Betsy, a standout with the scissors, demonstrated how to cut a five-pointed star in a single snip. Impressed, the committee entrusted Betsy with making our first flag.




The Wages of War....


Betsy was to eventually lose two husbands to the war. She would be married again in June 1777, this time to sea captain Joseph Ashburn in a ceremony performed at Old Swedes Church in Philadelphia. Captain Ashburn, on a trip to the West Indies to procure war supplies for the Revolutionary cause, was captured by the British and sent to Old Mill Prison in England where he died in March 1782, several months after the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia, the last major battle of the Revolutionary War.

John Claypoole, who had also been imprisoned at the Old Mill Prison, returned to Philadelphia bringing the news to Betsy of her husband's death. In May of 1783, Betsy was married for the third time, the ceremony performed at Christ Church, to her old friend, John Claypoole. Claypoole passed on in 1817 after years of ill health and Betsy never remarried. Betsy worked for many years in her upholstery business, employing many in her immediate family, before retiring and going to live with her daughter and son-in-law in the then-remote suburb of Abington, PA, to the north of Philadelphia.

Betsy died on January 30, 1836, at the age of 84.




Many historians disagree with much of the legend surrounding the Betsy Ross story. This account of the creation of our first flag was first brought to light in 1870 by one of her grandsons, William J. Canby, at a meeting of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. This took place 94 years after the event supposedly took place. Mr. Canby was a boy of eleven years when Mrs. Ross died in his home.

There is no record of the flag being discussed or of a committee being appointed for the design of the flag in either the Journals of the Continental Congress or the diaries and writings of Washington around this time. In the days of Betsy Ross we did not have the benefit of a press corps to witness, probe, and record the events of the day. However, this is the legend as it is recorded in the history books and Betsy Ross remains a national treasure. Today, in Philadelphia, only the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall draw more visitors than the home of the adored flagmaker. Annually, over a quarter of a million guests visit the Betsy Ross House.



Take a virtual tour of
THE BETSY ROSS HOUSE




Story, information and images courtesy of
ushistory.org
and
The Story of Betsy Ross



Betsy Ross, a 'Finest' woman
in American history.



THIS WEEK'S THREADS

05-12-03...Military Monday
05-13-03...How Does Your Garden Grow
05-14-03...Hurricane Hunters
05-15-03...JH2 ~ John's Two Cents

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping'
The guy's good, folks!
Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: flag; freepers; fun; history; military; profiles; surprises; tribute; veterans
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 81-100101-120121-140141-144 next last
To: DollyCali
hi Dolly (-:

nice to see you
101 posted on 05/16/2003 11:46:58 AM PDT by firewalk
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 99 | View Replies]

To: dutchess
Actually, I didn't make it to the Freep, but according to the after-action report, they had ten people and a fun Freep and wet weather. Neither rain nor snow nor . . . .
102 posted on 05/16/2003 11:53:14 AM PDT by FreeTheHostages
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 78 | View Replies]

To: nicmarlo; ST.LOUIE1; DollyCali
:-) Yeh, Louie was supposed to show up here last Feb.and help shovel all the snow, but he never turned up!;^))

Dolly, you need to check out this thread everyday to get the fullest understanding its flavor and mission! LOL

103 posted on 05/16/2003 12:07:22 PM PDT by Molly Pitcher (Is Reality Optional?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 102 | View Replies]

To: Molly Pitcher; ST.LOUIE1; DollyCali
Louie was supposed to show up here last Feb.and help shovel all the snow, but he never turned up!;^))

Zat so!!!! Quite interesting, Molly, quite interesting! I think I read about people like St.Louie1, in this book:


104 posted on 05/16/2003 12:10:45 PM PDT by nicmarlo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 103 | View Replies]

To: nicmarlo
Thanks Nic.. I recall you from other threads.. Sit Room, Day in Life... you have many deep thoughts & are obviously a very intelligent person.

Thanks for "warnings" .. I dont think ANY one on these threads are Saints or Angels..... we all try & have good & bad days. Some days I am much closer to a devil than an angel !!!

I recall MeeknMings other postings.. & clever graphics...Pippin's upbeat & spiritual warmth...Molly full of info & concern..

The ATRW & the Situation Room are still my regualr threads.. but I do drop in on the Dose daily for ...well, my dose !!

During the "active" war people came & went on the situation (war) thread.. many still there for the new Infinite Freedom chain.

Many nice living rooms to join & chat.. especially on a rainly day, which is the fact here.
105 posted on 05/16/2003 12:13:21 PM PDT by DollyCali (Authenticity: To have Arrived !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 100 | View Replies]

To: Molly Pitcher
yes, Molly I will come back every day.. the daily logistics of finding all is interesting..for me is always challenging.. I am sure you all have better methods of organization than I do..


I like that the Situation room.. has a link at the end of the daily thread for the NEXT day thread. That helps me
106 posted on 05/16/2003 12:16:51 PM PDT by DollyCali (Authenticity: To have Arrived !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 103 | View Replies]

To: dutchess
That's a different problem than what I had.
If you have the nerve you could start a thread titled "Can Someone Help Me With a Computer Problem" and within minutes have several knowledgable computer whiz types come in and solve the problem. lol!
107 posted on 05/16/2003 12:26:41 PM PDT by Aquamarine
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 87 | View Replies]

To: DollyCali
Nice to meet you Dolly! I've seen you in the Situation Room (I was just lurking there) and you seem like a great addition to FR.
108 posted on 05/16/2003 12:28:56 PM PDT by Aquamarine
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 106 | View Replies]

To: DollyCali; MeeknMing; ST.LOUIE1; dansangel; Pippin
Thanks for "warnings" .. I dont think ANY one on these threads are Saints or Angels..... we all try & have good & bad days. Some days I am much closer to a devil than an angel !!!

Thanks for your kind words; actually, as far as I know, Meekie, Louie, dansy and Pippin, think that what I say is like music to their ears.....ain't that true, ya'll? : )


109 posted on 05/16/2003 12:30:44 PM PDT by nicmarlo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 105 | View Replies]

To: Mama_Bear; All
Sorry everyone but my graphics arent showing up. Looks like the graphic site I used is down.
110 posted on 05/16/2003 12:33:36 PM PDT by Aquamarine
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: Mama_Bear; daisyscarlett; dansangel; dutchess; FreeTheHostages; .45MAN; Aeronaut; Aquamarine; ...
Good afternoon, Finest Sistahs and FRiends!

Thank you for the history lesson today, Lori. Look forward to the 'next' one - I have to say that growing up I was never interested in history (that stuff happened a long time ago! LOL), but I'm working on 'learning' to appreciate it more.

Dutchess and Lori, I've been trying (finally) to get my page 'fixed' again, but Domania's on again/off again behavior is getting the best of me. One minute I can upload, and the next I can't. So I think I'll just go shopping. :)

Love the pledge graphic today, Lori, and yes, please do take next Friday - that will help me a lot as it's going to be a long week! :) (Of course, that also means that the NEXT week may be even longer! HELP! You'll be gone, dutchess will be gone, daisy won't be back yet.....but Dansy is working on our Memorial Day thread - know it will be wonderful!

Hugs all around!

111 posted on 05/16/2003 12:41:47 PM PDT by Billie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DollyCali; LadyShallott
Hi, Dolly - wanted to welcome you to the Finest, and as Molly said, if you are here every day, you'll learn what makes this such a fun and friendly place to drop in every day. Ask Chris (LadyShallott) who just came out of lurk mode this week!
112 posted on 05/16/2003 12:47:13 PM PDT by Billie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 106 | View Replies]

To: DollyCali; Billie
Yes, I am now an ex-lurker thanks to these great people. Welcome to the group Dolly! It is so much fun to drop in and "talk" everyday. God Bless-

Chris

113 posted on 05/16/2003 12:56:15 PM PDT by LadyShallott
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 112 | View Replies]

To: nicmarlo; ST.LOUIE1
LOL! Louie a Troll.........hmmmmmmmmmmmm. Could be!
114 posted on 05/16/2003 1:09:34 PM PDT by Molly Pitcher (Is Reality Optional?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 104 | View Replies]

To: Mama_Bear; Billie; All

Thank You for sharing Betsy Ross's profile with us. Very interesting, learned a lot from today's thread. I took the virtual tour of Betsy's home, I loved it!

Colleen

115 posted on 05/16/2003 2:28:29 PM PDT by deadhead (God Bless Our Troops and Veterans)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: nicmarlo; DollyCali; Molly Pitcher
hehe! :O)

Oh, and Welcome to FR and the Finest Thread! : )

Yes, Welcome !!

116 posted on 05/16/2003 2:29:19 PM PDT by MeekOneGOP (Bu-bye Dixie Chimps! / Check out my Freeper site !: http://home.attbi.com/~freeper/wsb/index.html)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 100 | View Replies]

To: MeeknMing
Check out this thread on Secret Democrap Memo found!
117 posted on 05/16/2003 2:29:54 PM PDT by Feiny (I Triple Guarantee You There Are No Americans In Baghdad!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 116 | View Replies]

To: MeeknMing
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/913000/posts?page=1
118 posted on 05/16/2003 2:30:08 PM PDT by Feiny (I Triple Guarantee You There Are No Americans In Baghdad!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 116 | View Replies]

To: Billie
yes, please do take next Friday

Okay, will do.

I keep checking your page, Billie, and it is so...............white. It just doesn't seem right to go there and find no one home. What creatures of habit we are, eh?

I sure do hope that when Craig gets through with this move that domania will settle down and become the dependable site that it used to be.

119 posted on 05/16/2003 2:44:18 PM PDT by Mama_Bear (Armed Forces Day - May 17th)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 111 | View Replies]

To: feinswinesuksass
LOL! Thanks for coming by with that link, feinie.

Have yourself a nice weekend. :-)

120 posted on 05/16/2003 2:50:19 PM PDT by Mama_Bear (Armed Forces Day - May 17th)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 118 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 81-100101-120121-140141-144 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson