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

Billie; Mama_Bear

[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

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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

[Mama_Bear]

Good Morning, LadyX. Love your insight. :-)

[AnnaZ]

Good morning!

 

I did this as a lesson for my son's class last year:

 

(...if all the info doesn't make it: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagstar.html)

 

 

5-Pointed Star in One Snip

How to Cut a 5-Pointed Star in One Snip

George Washington's original pencil sketch for the flag indicated 6-pointed stars, a form he apparently preferred.

Betsy Ross, however, recommended a 5-pointed star. When the committee protested that it was too difficult to make, she took a piece of paper, folded it deftly, and with a single snip of her scissors, produced a symmetrical five-pointed star. This seeming feat of magic so impressed her audience that they readily agreed to her suggestion.

To you we pass along the secret...

Take a thin piece of paper 8-1/2" x 10" (or an exact proportion thereof), fold it as indicated and cut yourself a perfect 5-pointed star.

Thanks to the Betsy Ross House for providing these instructions.

---

Step 1. Fold an 8-1/2" x 10" piece of paper in half.

Step 2. Fold and unfold in half both ways to form creased center lines. (Note: be sure paper is still folded in half.)

Step 3. Bring corner (1) right to meet the center line. Be sure to fold from the vertical crease line.

Step 4. Bring corner (1) left till edges coincide, then make the fold.

Step 5. Bring corner (2) left and fold.

Step 6. Bring corner (2) right until edges coincide. Then fold.

Step 7. Cut on the angle as shown in the picture. Then unfold the small piece.

Step 8. Marvel at your perfect (we hope!) 5-pointed star! If your star is not perfect, take a fresh piece of paper (8-1/2" x 10" -- not 8-1/2" x 11") and return to Step 1.

---

BETSY ROSS HOME PAGE

[Mama_Bear]

Hi dutchess. As far as our server goes, I don't know what's going on. Apparently the graphics I uploaded yesterday were not there this morning, but older ones were. I re-uploaded the graphics for this thread and it "took". At least, for now, all is well. :-)

I think, if you re-upload your graphics from yesterday, they will appear again. It might be worth a try.

What an awful feeling to post a thread and have NONE of the images appear! I was tempted to just call it quits and go back to bed and bury my head under my pillow. LOL.

[AnnaZ]

Okay, I'm a "looser"... you already had the link. Ignore my post, please.

 

:(

[nicmarlo]

I love those! : )

[Mama_Bear]

LadyShallott! Good morning!

Thank you for bringing by that beautiful tea cup graphic. It is one of the prettiest I've seen.

Happy FRiday to you!

[nicmarlo]

All is well.

: )

[jwfiv]

Good morning to ya...)

[Mama_Bear]

Okay, I'm a "looser"... you already had the link. Ignore my post, please.

Oh, stop that! LOL. I am glad you posted the directions on making the star, for those who don't go to the link.....and, I'm even happier to see you here this morning. :-)

Have a nice FRiday, Anna. Please come by more often, your contributions are always welcome here.

[Mama_Bear]

Life is good.

It is indeed! (Especially now that I have my server problems straightened out. LOL)

Good morning to you, favorite FReeper person........and thank you for that cute bear picture. What a sweet little bear she is. :-)

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody !

80 degrees as I post this, headin' for around 83. Light showers this morning. . .

Have a cup while you FReep !

For those who prefer hot chocolate.....

[Mama_Bear]

Hiya, Meekie. We shall be getting up to about 83 today too. It is warming up nicely, finally!

[Diver Dave]

Mornin' MB. Thanks for the history lesson. Mom and Dad always said, "Learn something every day." :)

Graphics look great. Good thing... Wouldn't want you hittin' the Margaritas too early in the day. :)

[Aquamarine]

Thanks for the bio on Betty Ross today...beautifully done!
Being "read out" and cut off emotionally and financially by the tryants in her family was probably one of the trials in her life that gave her the strength to become the great woman that she was.
Click on the flag.

[Mama_Bear]

Graphics look great. Good thing... Wouldn't want you hittin' the Margaritas too early in the day. :)

LOLOL!! You are so right. I have a thread to run - no visits to Margaritaville today. ;-)

[Temple Owl]

Good morning all. Oooo! The stories they tell in Philadelphia about Betsy and Ben Franklin! I won't repeat them. The Betsy Ross House is just a short distance from Ben's grave. Be sure to visit when in Philly.

[Mo1]

Good Morning Nic .. Great Thread about Betsy Ross

I was born & raised in Philly and would you believe, I have never been to her house .. *L*

[Mama_Bear]

Good morning, Aqua, and thank your for bringing the National Anthem and the Betsy Ross graphic today. I was actually able to hear it now that I have my computer set up properly. :-)

[nicmarlo]

I have never been to her house

I think I walked in front of it......I went to Philly in 1998 and saw the mint, where Franklin was buried, his old office, and some other cools places. A park drunk tried to get me that day, too! (I was alone; my college sent me to Philly when I was the President of Alpha Chi Honor Society of the college....the only one from my college who went; since I didn't know anybody at the "convention" I strolled at our free afternoon all around the area...I remember a large market there....forget what it's called....that was pretty cool.) : )

[Aquamarine]

I was actually able to hear it now that I have my computer set up properly. :-)

That's great! Now if Dutchess could only get her address bar back...:)