Betsy would often tell her children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends of the fateful day when three members of a secret committee from the Continental Congress came to call upon her. Those representatives, George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross, asked her to sew the first flag. This meeting occurred in her home some time late in May 1776. George Washington was then the head of the Continental Army. Robert Morris, an owner of vast amounts of land, was perhaps the wealthiest citizen in the Colonies. Colonel George Ross was a respected Philadelphian and also the uncle of her late husband, John Ross.
Naturally, Betsy Ross already knew George Ross as she had married his nephew. Furthermore, Betsy was also acquainted with the great General Washington. Not only did they both worship at Christ Church in Philadelphia, but Betsy's pew was next to George and Martha Washington's pew. Her daughter recalled, "That she was previously well acquainted with Washington, and that he had often been in her house in friendly visits, as well as on business. That she had embroidered ruffles for his shirt bosoms and cuffs, and that it was partly owing to his friendship for her that she was chosen to make the flag." (For full text, see Affidavits.)
In June 1776, brave Betsy was a widow struggling to run her own upholstery business. Upholsterers in colonial America not only worked on furniture but did all manner of sewing work, which for some included making flags. According to Betsy, General Washington showed her a rough design of the flag that included a six-pointed star. Betsy, a standout with the scissors, demonstrated how to cut a five-pointed star in a single snip. Impressed, the committee entrusted Betsy with making our first flag.
Until that time, colonies and militias used many different flags. Some are famous, such as the "Rattlesnake Flag" used by the Continental Navy, with its venomous challenge, "Don't Tread on Me."
Another naval flag had a green pine tree on a white background. The one shown here is the "Liberty Tree" flag.
Other flags were quite similar to Britain's Union Jack or incorporated elements of it. A picture of the "Grand Union" flag is shown here.
This is not surprising. Many colonists considered themselves loyal subjects of Britain -- many colonists came from Britain, and King George III ruled over the colonies.
On January 1, 1776, the Continental Army was reorganized in accordance with a Congressional resolution which placed American forces under George Washington's control. On that New Year's Day the Continental Army was laying siege to Boston which had been taken over by the British Army. Washington ordered the Grand Union flag hoisted above his base at Prospect Hill "in compliment of the United Colonies."
In Boston, on that New Year's Day, the Loyalists (supporters of Britain) had been circulating a recent King George speech, offering the Continental forces favorable terms if they laid down their arms. These Loyalists were convinced that the King's speech had impressed the Continentals into surrendering -- as a sign of the Continentals' "surrender," the Loyalists mistook the flying of the Grand Union flag over Prospect Hill as a show of respect to King George. In fact, however, the Continentals knew nothing of the speech until later. Washington wrote in a letter dated January 4, "By this time, I presume, they begin to think it strange we have not made a formal surrender of our lines."
Obviously a new flag was needed.
According to Betsy Ross's dates and sequence of events, in May the Congressional Committee called upon her at her shop. She finished the flag either in late May or early June 1776. In July, the Declaration of Independence was read aloud for the first time at Independence Hall. Amid celebration, the Liberty Bell tolled, heralding the birth of a new nation.
Much suffering and loss of life would result, however, before the United States would completely sever ties with Britain. Betsy Ross herself lost two husbands to the Revolutionary War. During the conflict the British appropriated her house to lodge soldiers. Through it all she managed to run her own upholstery business (which she continued operating for several decades after the war) and after the soldiers left, she wove cloth pouches which were used to hold gunpowder for the Continentals.
On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress, seeking to promote national pride and unity, adopted the national flag. "Resolved: that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
Betsy Ross is regarded by many modern historians, pseudo-historians, vexillologists (flag experts), and writers on Philadelphia as a character befitting a fable -- that the tale of her making the first flag is no more than an instructive parable.
Modern-day parsers of the past suggest that several 19th-century authors and enthusiasts of American history were overanxious to champion the story of Betsy Ross brought to public attention by her grandson, William Canby, in a speech before the Pennsylvania Historical Society in 1870. That the story of the patriots of the Revolutionary Era required a deserving female role model. That magazines, textbooks, and artists uncritically have echoed the contrivance of a man who was an 11-year-old boy when his grandmother died. Some historians ignore Canby altogether and say, "There's no written record of the sewing of the first flag; therefore we cannot accept the story as truthful or likely."
Historians, to their credit, always want source documentation. However, in this case, the circumstantial evidence has to be weighed. We find that it overwhelmingly supports Betsy Ross as the maker of the first flag.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
In March 1870, in anticipation of America's Centennial, William Canby, a grandson of Betsy Ross, made public the story of Washington's visit to the flagmaker. In a paper given to the Pennsylvania Historical Society, the justifiably proud grandson related to the world his grandmother's deeds.
Since Canby was a mere lad of 11 when Betsy passed on in 1836, he relied on his own recollections as well as those of other relatives. For the record, three affidavits were sworn to, one by a daughter of Betsy Ross, one by a granddaughter, and one by a niece. These statements communicate in clear detail that Betsy Ross often told them the heroic saga of the birth of the American flag.
Canby's paper recounts a meeting between a secret Congressional Committee and the widowed seamstress. This committee included George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross. The meeting resulted in the creation of the first American flag. Betsy contributed by suggesting a 5-pointed star, rather than the 6-pointed star recommended by Washington.
After Canby's lecture, the story of Betsy and the flag took root in the hearts of Americans. Harper's Monthly retold the story in a July 1873 issue. In the 1880s, the story began to appear in textbooks. Casper Weisgerber's painting "Birth of Our Nation's Flag" (a detail of which is displayed on the homepage) was exhibited with admiration at the 1893 World Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
Doubters have raised various arguments as to why they don't believe that Betsy sewed the first flag. Here are the arguments that we have encountered, followed by our rebuttals.
POINT
Can Canby be trusted?
COUNTERPOINT
The question is rather, "Can Betsy Ross herself be trusted?"
Some have suggested that Canby invented the story out of whole cloth to bring himself fame. Others suggest that an 11-year-old boy's memory of Grandma's stories cannot be trusted. The sworn testimony of Betsy's daughter and other descendants, as well as Canby's own memory make very clear that the source of the stories are Betsy Ross's own words. Did Betsy, a known flagmaker, embellish the truth by saying she made the first one?
POINT
There is no receipt for the first flag.
COUNTERPOINT
Only one receipt exists for any of the flags Ross made. In the records of the Pennsylvania Archives, a minute from the Board of War meeting of May 29, 1777, reads in part, "An Order on William Webb to Elizabeth Ross, for fourteen pounds, twelve shillings, two pence for making ships colours & put into William Richards' stores." This document proves that Betsy Ross was certainly a flagmaker. That she didn't always make receipts for her flags or other work is known. Further, Canby remembers his grandmother saying that some flags she made came back to her for mending years after the war.
POINT
There is no contemporary reference in any known letter, newspaper, or diary that refers to the original flag. Neither Betsy Ross, the members of the secret committee, Congressmen, nor soldiers, speak to the first flag.
COUNTERPOINT
While flags were of undeniable importance for troop morale and forging American unity and identity, it must be recognized that a war was being fought and other affairs were undoubtedly more pressing. Betsy did not keep a diary. Washington, a prodigious letter writer and chronicler, wrote of the need for new flags and how flags boosted morale. On occasion, contemporary diary entries did speak to flags, but not with regularity. Newspapers did not record the Flag Resolution until two months after it was made law, in June 1777. It shouldn't be forgetten that the war effort wasn't going particularly well when the flag was made -- the balance of a new nation was at stake. Most people at the time would have simply considered the Ross flag just one out of many banners flying at the time.
POINT
There are no records in Congress speaking of a flag committee.
COUNTERPOINT
It is true that there are no records in Congress speaking to a "flag committee." Historians seeking the truth of the Betsy Ross story have searched through the published proceedings of the Journals of Congress and the minutes of the Continental Congress and found no mention of a flag group. However, one finds in those minutes many irregularities. Committees were being formed at a rate of six in a day at times. Some committees were "secret." In the minutes, reports of some committees were noted, but the content omitted; for others, the work of committees is reported without a traceable record of them having ever been formed. What importance would there have been to a committee of three taking an hour to go a few blocks to have a flag sewn?
POINT
There are no records in Congress speaking of a flag debate.
COUNTERPOINT
The first flag resolution was passed on June 14, 1777 {"Resolved. That the flag of the united states be 13 stripes alternate red and white, that the Union be 13 stars white in a blue field representing a new constellation"}. And yet there is no record of any debate over it. With General Washington as part of a small committee to design a flag, it's unlikely there'd be a single word of debate about it.
POINT
Congress did not adopt an official flag until June 1777, a full year after Betsy claimed to have made the flag.
COUNTERPOINT
Congress acting within one year! Not bad.
POINT
If she sewed it, where is the original flag?
COUNTERPOINT
Very few flags from that time still exist. A few regimental flags still exist as do some naval flags. Many flags were destroyed in battle. Others may have sunk in ships which carried them. Others were captured in battle. Many simply tattered and were lost to the ravages of time.
POINT
Why would the familiar Grand Union flag, first used by Washington as commander of the reorganized Continental Army starting in January 1776, be replaced just 6 months later?
COUNTERPOINT
At the siege of Boston, on January 1, 1776, the Grand Union Flag hoisted by the Continentals was mistaken as a token of surrender. According to the Annual Register of 1776, the Continentals were so dismayed by the Loyalists' reaction to the Grand Union Flag that they recognized a need for a new banner. On February 20, Washington issued an order for distinctive regimental uniforms and flags.
POINT
Washington was not in Philadelphia when the supposed meeting between Ross and the commander was purported to have taken place.
COUNTERPOINT
Congressional records and Washington's own letters place him in Philadelphia from late May to early June of 1776.
POINT
Even if Washington had been in Philadelphia at that time, it's dubious that he and members of so distinguished a committee would have left Congress to call on a lowly upholsterer.
COUNTERPOINT
The design of a new flag was important to Washington. It's quite conceivable that George Ross knowing of the hard circumstances of his young relative, suggested Betsy. Washington and Robert Morris both prayed at Christ Church with Betsy Ross, so would be familiar with her. She would be a very likely choice for the sewing of the flag.
POINT
Francis Hopkinson deserves credit for creating the first flag. He submitted an invoice for, among many other items, "the design of 'the flag of the United States of America'" to the Board of Admiralty in 1780 (covering the few years prior to his submission of the invoice).
COUNTERPOINT
Francis Hopkinson, a New Jersey delegate to the Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was an important contributing member of the Revolutionary cause. He was a member of the Marine Committee, which attended to most matters involving the Navy.
Let's first look at that invoice. The invoice was rejected because it lacked vouchers. On resubmitting his invoices, he changed the reference to the flag to now state, "The Great Naval Flag of the United States," but there is no historical record of what that flag looked like. However, in a letter dated September 14, 1779, George Washington does make a reference to a variation on the Naval flag to be used by various states, indicating "in the center is to be preferred with this addition, the number of the State to which it belongs inserted within the curve of the Serpent." It would seem that Hopkinson's flag was not the Stars and Stripes. Those historians who hold that his flag had stars and stripes always describe the stars as orthagonal and not in the circular pattern.
Further we can cast doubt on the Hopkinson legend by looking at the number of points on the stars. In those days, heraldry was very important. The standard heraldic star was at least 6-pointed. The 5-pointed star was called a molet. Hopkinson's family coat of arms contained 6-pointed stars. The discussion of heraldry and stars deserves its own homepage. (That's a challenge for anyone who wants it!)
For those who are curious, though it is irrelevant to this discussion, Hopkinson's entire set of invoices was rejected.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
In addition to the family testimony, there are three very compelling arguments for Betsy sewing the first flag.
POINT: The Schuyler Flag at Ticonderoga
Philip Schuyler was in Philadelphia in April 1777 as a delegate from New York to the Continental Congress. Schuyler had been recently relieved of his duties as Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Department of the Continental Army. Upon arrival in Philadelphia, Schuyler was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the military in Pennsylvania. Then on May 22, 1777, the Board of War reappointed Schuyler to the Northern Division of the Continental Army. He left Philadelphia about a week later for New York.
According to noted flag historian Robert Morris, during Schuyler's tenure in Philadelphia, he had a Betsy Ross flag made for him with 13 five-pointed stars in a circle on a blue field and a banner with alternating red and white stripes. That flag was handed down to Schuyler's daughter, Mrs. Alexander Hamilton -- married to the first Secretary of the Treasury of the United States -- and from her on through the generations, Today it can be seen at the Fort Ticonderoga Museum. It is claimed to be the oldest known American flag in existence.
It's of interest to note that Colonel George Ross was a member of the War Board that reappointed Schuyler to the Northern Division. Undoubtedly George Ross would have pointed General Schuyler in the direction of Arch Street to get a flag.
POINT: The Artistic Argument
One of the arguments used against Betsy Ross is the timeline. The following show that her Stars and Stripes was in use on the battlefield well before the flag resolution of June 14, 1777.
Colonel John Trumbull and Captain Charles Willson Peale were artists who fought under George Washington. Today they are both acknowledged as preeminent artists of their day.
Peale led a group of foot soldiers at the Battle of Princeton under the great General. The battle took place on January 3, 1777, five months before the flag resolution -- the first historically acknowledged reference to the Stars and Stripes. "Washington at the Battle of Princeton" was a series of paintings Peale executed between 1778 and 1781. In one of them, the viewer can see the left side of a flag containing a blue field with a circle of 13 white stars, as well as a number of captured Hessian flags which are at Washington's feet. Peale cared greatly about accuracy in his paintings and specifically had the Hessian flags brought to his studio to be painted. Some historians dismiss the American flag in this painting as anachronistic -- a claim we find unbelievable and inexplicable in light of the care for accuracy Peale is known to have shown, according to Peale's biographers. That painting can be seen today at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia. Another painting depicting the Battle of Princeton, done for Princeton University (and still on display there), again shows the Stars and Stripes, as well as Washington's Headquarters flag, on the battlefield.
Trumbull became an aide to Washington and served at both the Battle of Trenton (December 25, 1776) and the Battle of Princeton. Several of his paintings also show the Stars and Stripes on the battlefield with Washington.
POINT: Wetherill and his Safe
Samuel Wetherill was a good friend of Betsy Ross. In fact he and Ross were the last two members of the Free Quaker Meeting House and together shut its doors for the last time in 1834. The Wetherill family oral tradition holds that he visited Betsy shortly after her meeting with the Congressional Committee. She told him what had just transpired. Wetherill, recognizing the historic import of that meeting, asked if he could keep the 5-pointed star which Ross had cut for the committee. She gave it to him. In 1925, the Wetherill family safe was opened and inside was that 5-pointed star. Today that star is exhibited at the Free Quaker Meeting House, a few blocks from the Betsy Ross House.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
Historically, the story of Betsy Ross remains unresolved. However, its likelihood is reasonable. The dates match. The need matches. She was familiar to Washington and the others. She is one of few women whose place in Revolutionary history stands not beside a man, but on her own. Is her story a fiction, a partial truth, completely true? We may never know for sure. But Betsy Ross's story is plausible and reasonable.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
American ships in New England waters flew a "Liberty Tree" flag in 1775. It shows a green pine tree on a white background.
The Continental Navy used this flag upon its inception.
The "Grand Union" shown here is also called The "Cambridge Flag." It was flown over Prospect Hill, overlooking Boston, January 1, 1776. In the canton (the square in the corner) are the crosses of Saint Andrew and Saint George, borrowed from the British flag.
The "Betsy Ross" flag.
According to some sources, this flag was first used in 1777. It was used by the Third Maryland Regiment. There was no official pattern for how the stars were to be arranged. The flag was carried at the Battle of Cowpens, which took place on January 17, 1781, in South Carolina. The actual flag from that battle hangs in the Maryland State House.
At the Battle of Bennington in August 1777 were two famous flags. One, shown here, is called the Bennington Flag or the Fillmore Flag. Nathaniel Fillmore took this flag home from the battlefield. The flag was passed down through generations of Fillmores, including Millard, and today it can be seen at Vermont's Bennington Museum. The other (not pictured) has a green field and a blue canton with 13 gold-painted stars arranged in rows. General John Stark gave his New Hampshire troops a rallying speech that would be the envy of any football coach today. He said, "My men, yonder are the Hessians. They were brought for seven pounds and ten pence a man. Are you worth more? Prove it. Tonight, the American flag floats from yonder hill or Molly Stark sleeps a widow!"
Vermont and Kentucky joined the union in 1791 and 1792. This flag with 15 stars and 15 stripes, was adopted by a Congressional act of 1794. The flag became effective May 1, 1795.
By 1818, the union consisted of 20 states. A Congressional act mandated that the number of stripes be fixed at 13 and that one new star was to be added for each new state, the July 4 following its admission. However, nothing was written about what arrangement the stars should be in. This and the following two flags were all used simultaneously.
Another 1818 flag (see above).
And another 1818 flag (see above). This was called the "Grand Star" flag.
Following the Mexican-American War in 1846, the nation had 28 states.
By 1861, the nation had 34 states. Even after the South seceded from the Union, President Lincoln would not allow any stars to be removed from the flag.
In 1908, the United States had 46 states. It's interesting to note that there was no official design for the 46-star flag used from 1908 to 1912.
In 1912, the United States had 48 states. A Presidential order was issued fixing the position of the stars for this flag. Presidential orders followed the adoption of the flags of 1959 and 1960, as well.
This flag was used starting on July 4, 1959, after the admission of Alaska to the Union on Jan. 3, 1959.
The United States flag today. The 50th star was added on July 4, 1960 for Hawaii, which entered the Union on August 21, 1959.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
What do the red, white, and blue of the flag represent?
The Continental Congress left no record to show why it chose the colors. However, in 1782, the Congress of the Confederation chose these same colors for the Great Seal of the United States and listed their meaning as follows: white to mean purity and innocence, red for valor and hardiness, and blue for vigilance, perseverance, and justice. According to legend, George Washington interpreted the elements of the flag this way: the stars were taken from the sky, the red from the British colors, and the white stripes signified the secession from the home country. However, there is no official designation or meaning for the colors of the flag.
Who designed the flag?
Betsy Ross sewed it, but who designed it? The answer, according to the experts at the Betsy Ross house, is that it was possibly designed by Francis Hopkinson, a New Jersey delegate to the Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Why are the stars in a circle?
The stars were in a circle so that no one colony would be viewed above another. It is reported that George Washington said, "Let the 13 stars in a circle stand as a new constellation in the heavens."
Why would Betsy Ross be chosen to make the flag?
It was usual in that day for upholsterers to be flagmakers. As Betsy Ross prayed in the pew next to George Washington and was a niece of George Ross, it is not hard to believe that these members of the Flag Committee formed by the Continental Congress would call upon Betsy Ross to make the flag.
Was this her house?
It is known that Betsy Ross rented rooms here. At the time of the flag creation, she was either here at 239 Arch Street or next door at 241 Arch, where the garden is now. House numbers on her street between the years 1785 and 1857 were registered using three different numbering systems, making the determination very tricky. If you are interested in historical detective work, you'll enjoy the methodical, historical approach used by experts: check out the Was this her house? page.
Where is the first flag?
No one knows what happened to the first flag. Very few flags from that time have survived.
Why is the flag called "Old Glory"?
In 1831, Captain William Driver, a shipmaster from Salem, Massachusetts, left on one of his many world voyages. Friends presented him with a flag of 24 stars. As the banner opened to the ocean breeze, he exclaimed, "Old Glory." He kept his flag for many years, protecting it during the Civil War, until it was flown over the Tennessee capital. His "Old Glory" became a nickname for all American flags.
Who was Mary Pickersgill?
Mary Young Pickersgill sewed the very large (30'x42') Star-Spangled Banner in the summer of 1813. It flew over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 and was the inspiration for Francis Scott Key to write what would become our National Anthem. Pickersgill's flag today hangs at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Her house still stands as a museum you can visit in Baltimore, Maryland.
What is a vexillologist?
A vexillologist is an expert on flags and ensigns. A vexillum (plural vexilla) is a military standard or flag used by ancient Roman troops.
Many people discover among their family relics a certificate from the American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial Association. What is it?
Over two million of these certificates were sold starting in 1898 in order to raise funds needed to preserve the Betsy Ross House. These certificates were receipts or "thank-yous" for contributions of 10 cents. The Association went out of business in 1935. The only "value" to these is the knowledge that the recipient participated in the preservation of the Betsy Ross House.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
05-28-2004 03:56 PM
