When school children in the United States learn about Betsy Ross, they are presented with one basic fact. She is remembered as the woman who created the first flag for the new United States. Ross was a 4th generation American who rebelled against her Quaker family to marry outside of her religion. She apprenticed as an upholsterer, married a many with an upholstery business, and legend says that George Washington asked her to make a flag. Those legends, however, may not be true.
1. A Widow Twice Over
To say that Betsy Ross had a tough time with love would be an understatement. She married her first husband, John Ross, in 1772 and was expelled from her family and church for that choice. Just four years later, at the beginning of the Revolutionary War, her husband was killed by an explosion of gun powder while serving with the local militia. She inherited the business and made flags, eventually marrying a sailor named Joseph Ashburn. He was a sailor who was captured by the British and jailed, dying in prison in 1781. She would eventually marry a third time to John Claypoole, who was in prison with Ashburn and had come to her to deliver his final messages.
2. A Story Well Told
The story of Betsy Ross making the first American flag was first told by her grandson nearly 50 years after she passed away. His reflections of his grandmother were published in the Harper’s Monthly, but there has never been any evidence to support the story. In an examination of her records, the only flags that she was known to have made were for the Navy Board of Pennsylvania, who contracted her to create ship’s colors.
3. Is That Her Home?
One of the most visited tourist sites in Philadelphia is the Betsy Ross House. According to the legends, it was at this location that she created the first flag. The only problem is that it is believed that Ross never actually lived at the house. Because of her struggles as a single mother and a widow twice, however, many are willing to overlook these issues to uphold her as a great example of how women worked hard during the early days of the nation.
4. She Was Crazy Hot
Again, as the legend is told, a Hessian colonel who was fighting for the British was very taken by the sight of a beautiful young widow. So struck was he, in fact, that he decided to spend the holidays one year with her. This delayed him from sending for reinforcements to the militia movements that were happening at the time, which ultimately resulted in him losing the Battle of Trenton.
5. Design Issues?
If the stories about Washington hiring her for the first American flag are true, then perhaps the story about her changing the design of the flag is also true. According to the legends, Washington approached Ross with a rough draft of what he wanted the flag to be. She took one look at the 6 pointed stars and suggested an alternative: the 5 pointed star instead. Then she showed Washington how such a star could be cut out quickly and Washington was sold on the idea.
6. No One Knows
As with any good legend, there should be some ongoing mysteries. When Ross died, she was initially buried in the local Quaker cemetery. They were later moved to a second Philadelphia cemetery, but for the 200 year US anniversary celebration, the city wanted them to be moved over to the Betsy Ross House. When workers opened up the grave site, they didn’t find any bones. The workers then looked at other family plots, found some remains, and moved those. This means that the remains at the Betsy Ross House may not actually be Betsy Ross.
7. It Wasn’t Always Easy
Being a widowed upholsterer wasn’t easy. She was struggling to make ends meet as the war continued on, so she looked to make money in any way possible. Ross contracted with the Continental Army eventually to repair uniforms and tents. When she needs some extra spare cash, it is said that she even stuffed musket balls. It was enough to help her business survive throughout her professional life.
Betsy Ross is one of the most enduring figures in American history. Whether the legends are true or not may not really even matter. She is loved and celebrated and for many, that is more than enough.
