Betsy Ross, American seamstress, credited with designing the Flag of the United States (d. 1836)

The Enduring Legacy of Betsy Ross and the American Flag

Elizabeth Griscom Ross (January 1, 1752 – January 30, 1836), known throughout her life and history by her maiden name Griscom and her married names Ashburn and Claypoole, was a notable American upholsterer. She gained widespread recognition posthumously when her relatives, in 1870, publicly credited her with crafting the initial American flag, a design now famously referred to as the Betsy Ross flag. Her profession as an upholsterer, a trade involving the cutting and sewing of fabrics, naturally lent itself to flag production.

The Betsy Ross Flag Legend: A Closer Look

According to a persistent Ross family tradition, General George Washington, then the esteemed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, along with two influential members of a congressional committee—Robert Morris and George Ross (her late husband's uncle)—allegedly visited Mrs. Ross in Philadelphia in 1776. This legendary encounter suggests that Washington presented her with a sketch of a proposed national flag featuring six-pointed stars. The tradition holds that Mrs. Ross, with her practical expertise, convinced Washington to adopt five-pointed stars instead, demonstrating that they were significantly easier and quicker to cut by folding the fabric in a specific way.

Despite the enduring popularity of this narrative in American folklore, most professional historians largely dismiss the story of Betsy Ross designing or making the first American flag. The primary reason for this skepticism is the complete absence of contemporary archival evidence or any other recorded verbal tradition from the 18th century that substantiates this claim. The story notably surfaced much later, first appearing in the writings and lectures of her grandson, William Canby, in the 1870s—nearly a century after the supposed event. There is no mention or documentation of this pivotal meeting or her specific role in designing the flag in any records from the decades immediately following the American Revolution.

Betsy Ross's Documented Contributions to Early American Flag Making

While the "first flag" story remains unsubstantiated, Betsy Ross's verifiable contributions to American flag production are significant and well-documented. During the turbulent years of the American Revolution, Ross was a skilled artisan who demonstrably made flags for the Pennsylvania navy. Her expertise extended well beyond this period; after the Revolution, she continued her prolific work, producing U.S. flags for over 50 years. A notable example of her sustained output includes the creation of 50 garrison flags for the U.S. Arsenal on the Schuylkill River in 1811, illustrating her ongoing importance as a flag manufacturer for the young nation.

The flags for the Pennsylvania navy were under the direct oversight of the Pennsylvania Navy Board, which, in turn, reported to the Committee of Safety of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. This committee boasted prominent figures among its members, including Benjamin Franklin, who served as its President in July 1775, and Robert Morris and George Ross—the same individuals mentioned in the "first flag" legend. It is important to note that their documented interactions with Betsy Ross were through this official capacity related to her contracted work, not a private design consultation.

During this period, the Committee of Safety authorized the construction of gunboats to defend Pennsylvania's waterways, and these vessels naturally required flags as part of their essential equipment. Records indicate that even as late as October 1776, Captain William Richards was still corresponding with the committee or Council of Safety, requesting a definitive design so he could formally order flags for their nascent fleet. This factual detail further casts doubt on the idea of a fully designed national flag being presented to Ross in early 1776.

Crucially, Betsy Ross was indeed one of the artisans hired to produce flags for the Pennsylvania fleet. Definitive archival evidence supports this, with an entry dated May 29, 1777, in the records of the Pennsylvania Navy Board specifically noting an order to pay her for her work. This payment record serves as tangible proof of her professional engagement in flag-making for the Continental forces.

The Design of Pennsylvania Navy Flags

The "ship colors" adopted by the Pennsylvania navy were distinctive and comprised three primary types of flags, each serving a specific purpose and flown from a particular location on the vessel:

• The Ensign: This was a blue flag featuring 13 stripes—specifically seven red stripes and six white stripes—located in the flag's canton, or the upper-left-hand corner. The ensign was traditionally flown from a pole positioned at the rear of the ship, signifying its nationality and allegiance.
• The Long Pennant: This was a lengthy, narrow streamer that displayed 13 vertical, alternating red-and-white stripes near its hoist (the part closest to the mast); the remainder of the pennant was solid red. The long pennant would fly prominently from the very top of the ship's mainmast, which is the central and tallest pole holding the sails.
• The Short Pennant: In contrast, the short pennant was entirely solid red. It was flown from the top of the ship's mizzenmast, the pole that supports the sails nearest to the stern or rear of the ship.

It is important to emphasize that these documented designs for the Pennsylvania navy flags, which Betsy Ross was verifiably contracted to produce, differ significantly from the iconic design of the "Betsy Ross flag" featuring a circle of 13 five-pointed stars on a blue field with 13 red and white stripes. Her proven contributions were to the practical, essential task of supplying flags for the nascent American forces.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Betsy Ross and the American Flag

Was Betsy Ross the sole designer of the first American flag?

No, the widely circulated story that Betsy Ross designed and sewed the first American flag at the direct request of George Washington is primarily based on family tradition and lacks supporting historical or archival evidence. Most historians do not credit her with this specific role.

What verifiable contributions did Betsy Ross make to American flag production?

Betsy Ross was a documented and respected upholsterer and flag maker who produced flags for the Pennsylvania navy during the American Revolution. She continued to make U.S. flags for over five decades, including significant orders like 50 garrison flags for the U.S. Arsenal in 1811, demonstrating her established role as a key supplier for the new nation's flag needs.

When did the story of Betsy Ross making the first flag first emerge?

The story of Betsy Ross creating the first American flag was first publicly recounted in the 1870s by her grandson, William Canby, approximately a century after the alleged events of 1776. There is no evidence of the story circulating prior to his presentations and writings.