Betsy Ross

Betsy Ross. . , Born Elizabeth Griscom of Quaker parents, January 1, 1752, Betsy Ross attended Friends Schools until her apprenticeship as an upholsterer. Marriage on November 4, 1773 to John Ross, an Anglican, caused her to be read out of Meeting. Ross was a member of the militia. He died in January, 1776. There were no children. George Ross, John's uncle, was a member of the Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He suggested that Betsy sew the Flag, which she did in late May or early June 1776., Betsy Ross married Joseph Ashburn, a sea captain, on June 15, 1777 in Old Swede's Church. Ashburn was captured by the British, imprisoned in Plymouth England, where he died March 3, 1782 while in prison. There were two daughters., On May 8, 1783, Betsy Ross was married in Christ Church to John Claypoole who had been a fellow prisoner of Joseph Ashburn's. He and Betsy lived in this house until 1786. They had five daughters. Claypoole died August 3, 1817 and he is buried here with his wife, Betsy, who died in 1866.