Elizabeth Griscom (Betsy) was born in Pennsylvania on New Year's Day, 1752, into a prominent Quaker family. Upon finishing school, she apprenticed as an upholsterer, but her quiet life turned upside down when at age 21, she eloped with fellow apprentice, John Ross, an Episcopalian. No longer welcome at the Quaker meeting house, Betsy attended Christ Church with her husband, sitting in a pew across the aisle from George Washington.
As the American Revolution began, John joined the war effort and soon made Betsy a widow. It was only a few months later that Betsy attended a meeting that would secure her place in history. George Washington, Robert Morris and George Ross, the uncle of her late husband, came to Betsy's home in May 1776 and asked her to create a flag. It wasn't the first time Washington had come to Betsy in need of a tailor; she had embroidered the ruffles and cuffs of several of his garments. As the meeting got underway, the men shared with Betsy the design they had in mind; she added her own touches changing their six-point stars to the five-point variety we see today.
The flag was finished barely a month before the Declaration of Independence was read aloud for the first time a Philadelphia's Independence Hall, where the Liberty Bell's ringing singled the birth of a new, free nation.
The battle was far from over. Betsy would loose another husband to the Revolution and be forced to house British soldiers in her home during the war. She also put her sewing skills to use creating more practical items, like the cloth pouches that the Continental soldiers used to carry their gunpowder.
At the end of the war, Betsy's work and sacrifice weren't forgotten. On June 14, 1777, Betsy's handiwork was adopted as the national flag by the Continental Congress and has flown proudly ever since.
As the American Revolution began, John joined the war effort and soon made Betsy a widow. It was only a few months later that Betsy attended a meeting that would secure her place in history. George Washington, Robert Morris and George Ross, the uncle of her late husband, came to Betsy's home in May 1776 and asked her to create a flag. It wasn't the first time Washington had come to Betsy in need of a tailor; she had embroidered the ruffles and cuffs of several of his garments. As the meeting got underway, the men shared with Betsy the design they had in mind; she added her own touches changing their six-point stars to the five-point variety we see today.
The flag was finished barely a month before the Declaration of Independence was read aloud for the first time a Philadelphia's Independence Hall, where the Liberty Bell's ringing singled the birth of a new, free nation.
The battle was far from over. Betsy would loose another husband to the Revolution and be forced to house British soldiers in her home during the war. She also put her sewing skills to use creating more practical items, like the cloth pouches that the Continental soldiers used to carry their gunpowder.
At the end of the war, Betsy's work and sacrifice weren't forgotten. On June 14, 1777, Betsy's handiwork was adopted as the national flag by the Continental Congress and has flown proudly ever since.
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