Elizabeth Grisom also known as Betsy Ross was born on January 1, 1782 to a Quaker family. Later in her life she became an apprentice to John Webster, an man known for being a talented upholster. He taught her how to be a seamstress. While Betsy was being John's apprentice she met a man named John Ross who was of a different religion than her family and they did not approve of him. Even though her family nor the Quaker religion approved she still wanted to marry John, so they fled to the town of Gloucester, New Jersey where they married.
While in Gloucester Betsy and John opened a upholstery business. But there marriage was cut short once the Revolutionary War began, John Ross passed away but she continued sewing for the business to produce income.
Betsy Ross later remarried to a man by the name of Joseph Ashburn. Joseph was out at sea a lot and during the war that was not the safest place you could be. His ship was captured and charged with treason and sent to prison in England. While imprisoned Joseph's and Betsy's daughter died but another daughter was born. The prisoners were released but Joseph never made it that far, he died of an unknown illness. He never knew that his daughter died and never got a chance to meet his new daughter.
While in Gloucester Betsy and John opened a upholstery business. But there marriage was cut short once the Revolutionary War began, John Ross passed away but she continued sewing for the business to produce income.
Betsy Ross later remarried to a man by the name of Joseph Ashburn. Joseph was out at sea a lot and during the war that was not the safest place you could be. His ship was captured and charged with treason and sent to prison in England. While imprisoned Joseph's and Betsy's daughter died but another daughter was born. The prisoners were released but Joseph never made it that far, he died of an unknown illness. He never knew that his daughter died and never got a chance to meet his new daughter.
A friend of Joseph Ashburn visited Betsy telling her the news of her husbands death. She was devastated to find out that not only did she loose her daughter but also her husband. She was once again a widow. After awhile Joseph's friend, who brought Betsy the news of her husbands death, John Claypoole and Betsy found that they had an interest in each other and married on May 8th. They decided to go back to being a Quaker and joined The Society of Free Quakers. This relationship lasted thirty four years but they had their ups and downs. They had five children but only one of them lived to a decent age.
In 1776 rumors came about that Betsy had sewed the first American flag. George Washington made a visit to Betsy Ross and asked if she would sew a national flag. A few years later rumors that were started by her grandson in 1870 about the visit from George Washington and his grandmother sewing the flag, and from then on it was made public that she was the one who designed and sewed the American Flag.
Betsy Ross was blind for the last three years of her life but died peacefully while sleeping on January 30, 1836 at the age of 84. Her creation is known throughout history as one of the most famous women achievements during the Revolutionary era.
In 1776 rumors came about that Betsy had sewed the first American flag. George Washington made a visit to Betsy Ross and asked if she would sew a national flag. A few years later rumors that were started by her grandson in 1870 about the visit from George Washington and his grandmother sewing the flag, and from then on it was made public that she was the one who designed and sewed the American Flag.
Betsy Ross was blind for the last three years of her life but died peacefully while sleeping on January 30, 1836 at the age of 84. Her creation is known throughout history as one of the most famous women achievements during the Revolutionary era.