Ross, Betsy

maker of the first American flag, was born in Philadelphia, January 1, 1752. Her maiden name was Griscom, and her father, Samuel, a builder, a isted in the erection of Independence Hall. She married John Ro , an upholsterer, who, being a poor man, made his young wife a helper in the busine . They moved into a house at 239 Arch street, which is still standing, and opened an upholstery shop on the first floor. Here her husband died, 1776, aud Betsy continued the busine alone. During a visit of Washington to the city he expre ed a desire to have an Anrerican flag made according to a design which he had drawn, He was recommended to Betsy Ro , and thither the great geueral repaired, in the company of Robert Morris. His busine being stated, General Washington drew from his pocket the rough pencil sketch of a flag, which showed thirteen stripes aud a blue field with as many stars. The stars drawn by Washington had six points, noticing which Betsy suggested that they should have only five, and, to show how easy a thing it was to make a star of five points, she quickly folded a piece of paper and with a single clip of her sci ors displayed a perfectly formed five-pointed star. Washington was so pleased with her ingenuity that he ordered her to make the sample flag, which upon completion was accepted by the committee and adopted by Congre , June 14, 1777. In the same year an order was drawn on the U. S. Treasury in favor of Betsy Ro for the sum of £14, 12s., 2d., for flags she made for the fleet in the Delaware River. Betsy Ro was married a second time to Captain Ashburn, and a third time to John Claypole.