Betsy Ross was born at child number 8 in a family of 17 on January 1, 1752 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As a child she went to a Quaker public school then after school, worked in an upholsterer's workshop. So, she was well educated. At 21 (1773) she married John Ross and 3 years later (1776) he dies in an explosion. A year later (1777), she married Joseph Ashburn and had two children with him. Joseph was soon captured by the British and he died in 1782. She learned this from a friend John Claypoole who she later married in 1783. With John she had 5 children and spent the rest of her days with him. In all she had 7 children but 2 died at youth. When the 13 colonies needed a flag to show they were independent George Washington, a personal friend of Betsy's, went to her for service. "Thirteen stripes, alternate red and white that the union be thirteen stars white in a blue field," they told her. Betsy's daughter Rachel Fletcher designed the flag while Betsy sewed it. When it was done and shown to everyone they loved it! And, soon on she became one of the most famous woman in the revolutionary period.
It isn't proven that she made the flag but it isn't disproved either. Plus, the story gave (and still gives) many American women hope!Links I used: http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312848/bross.htm
http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/
No comments:
Post a Comment