Deaths on January 30

Betsy Ross, American seamstress, said to have designed the American Flag (b. 1752)

Elizabeth Griscom Ross: Examining the Legend and Documented Contributions of an American Flag Maker

Elizabeth Griscom Ross (née Griscom; January 1, 1752 – January 30, 1836), widely known as Betsy Ross, and also by her later married names, Ashburn and Claypoole, was a notable American upholsterer. Her historical legacy is dual-faceted, encompassing both a pervasive national legend and well-documented contributions to the fledgling United States. While she is most famously credited by her relatives, starting in 1870, with crafting the very first American flag—a design popularly known as the "Betsy Ross flag"—the historical evidence supporting this iconic narrative is largely dismissed by most professional historians. Nevertheless, Ross's authentic contributions as a skilled flag maker for the early American forces are well-established.

The Enduring Legend of the First American Flag

The cherished family tradition, first widely publicized by her grandson William J. Canby in 1870, holds that in 1776, a delegation comprising General George Washington, the esteemed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, alongside two prominent members of a congressional committee, Robert Morris and George Ross (an uncle by marriage), paid a visit to Mrs. Ross's upholstery shop in Philadelphia. According to this vivid account, General Washington presented her with a sketch of a proposed national flag featuring six-pointed stars. Mrs. Ross, with her practical expertise, is said to have persuasively convinced him to alter the star design from six points to a more elegant and easily replicable five-pointed configuration. She reportedly demonstrated the efficiency of this change by deftly folding a piece of paper and cutting out a perfect five-pointed star with a single snip. This captivating story, though deeply ingrained in American folklore, lacks any corroborating archival evidence or earlier recorded verbal traditions from the Revolutionary War era. Its emergence a century after the purported event, primarily through the writings of her grandson, raises significant historical skepticism among scholars who seek contemporary documentation.

Betsy Ross's Documented Contributions to the Revolutionary War Effort

Despite the enduring debate surrounding the "first flag" narrative, Betsy Ross's legitimate role as a flag maker for the nascent American nation is well-substantiated by historical records. She was a professional upholsterer, a trade that often involved working with fabric and sewing, making her a natural fit for flag production. During the pivotal American Revolution, Ross was demonstrably involved in producing flags for the Pennsylvania navy. Her significant contributions continued long after the war, as she produced U.S. flags for over five decades. A notable example of her sustained work includes the creation of 50 garrison flags for the U.S. Arsenal situated on the Schuylkill River in 1811, further cementing her status as a prolific and trusted supplier of American banners.

The Pennsylvania Navy and Its Flag Requirements

Betsy Ross's connection to official flag production is most clearly demonstrated through her work for the Pennsylvania navy. The operations of this naval force were meticulously overseen by the Pennsylvania Navy Board. This board, in turn, reported directly to the Committee of Safety of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly, a crucial body responsible for public protection and military preparedness during the Revolution. In July 1775, the Committee of Safety was led by the venerable Benjamin Franklin as its President, with influential members including Robert Morris and George Ross, the very individuals implicated in the legendary visit to Betsy Ross's shop. At this critical juncture, the committee initiated the construction of gunboats, vessels that would inevitably require distinguishing flags as part of their essential equipment. As late as October 1776, documented correspondence shows that Captain William Richards was still actively writing to the Committee or Council of Safety, urgently requesting the specific flag designs needed to properly outfit their growing fleet.

Betsy Ross's Specific Role and Payment for Flag Production

It is unequivocally recorded that Betsy Ross was among the artisans contracted to manufacture flags for the Pennsylvania fleet. An official entry, dated May 29, 1777, found within the meticulously kept records of the Pennsylvania Navy Board, provides clear evidence of her payment for this vital work. The wording of this historical record explicitly states: "An order on William Webb to Elizabeth Ross for fourteen pounds twelve shillings and two pence for flags &c for the fleet." This direct payment confirms her professional engagement in supplying flags for the state's naval forces, solidifying her factual place in the history of American flag making.

Detailed Descriptions of Pennsylvania Navy Ship Colors

The Pennsylvania navy's ships were equipped with a distinct set of "colors," a naval term referring to their specific flags, each serving a unique purpose and flown from particular points on the vessel. These included three primary types of flags:

1. Ensign

The ensign was a prominent blue flag, characterized by thirteen stripes—seven red and six white—displayed within its canton, the upper-left-hand corner. This flag was traditionally flown from a pole positioned at the very rear, or stern, of the ship, serving as the primary national or organizational identification.

2. Long Pennant

This was a distinctive, long, and narrow flag. It featured thirteen vertical, alternating red-and-white stripes situated near the mast, while the remainder of its considerable length was solid red. The long pennant was flown from the very top of the ship's mainmast, which is the central and tallest pole supporting the sails, signifying the presence of a commissioned vessel.

3. Short Pennant

The short pennant was a simpler, solid red flag. It was flown from the top of the ship's mizzenmast, which is the pole holding the ship's sails located nearest the stern or rear of the vessel. This flag often served as an additional identifier or signal.

Frequently Asked Questions About Betsy Ross and the American Flag

Was Betsy Ross truly the maker of the first American flag?

While popular tradition credits Betsy Ross with creating the first American flag, featuring five-pointed stars, most historians do not support this claim due to a lack of contemporary archival evidence. The story first surfaced a century after the fact, in the 1870s, through the writings of her grandson. However, she was a documented flag maker for the Continental forces.

What was Betsy Ross's profession?

Betsy Ross was a professional American upholsterer. This trade involved working with fabrics and sewing, skills directly applicable to flag making.

What documented work did Betsy Ross do for the American Revolution?

Betsy Ross is documented as having made flags for the Pennsylvania navy during the American Revolution. After the war, she continued to make U.S. flags for over 50 years, including an order for 50 garrison flags for the U.S. Arsenal on the Schuylkill River in 1811.

Who was on the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety that oversaw flag orders?

In July 1775, the President of the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety was Benjamin Franklin. Other notable members included Robert Morris and George Ross, who are both mentioned in the legendary "first flag" story.

What types of flags did the Pennsylvania Navy use?

The Pennsylvania navy's ships used three main types of flags, collectively known as "colors": an ensign (a blue flag with 13 stripes—7 red, 6 white—in the canton, flown at the stern), a long, narrow pennant (13 vertical red-and-white stripes near the mast, rest solid red, flown from the mainmast), and a short, solid red pennant (flown from the mizzenmast).