Old City in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
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 1836.
Erected by Betsy Ross House. (Marker Number 11.)
Topics and series. This historical
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Location. 39° 57.139′ N, 75° 8.685′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Old City. It is on Arch Street just east of North 3rd Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 349 Arch St, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The historical value of Betsy Ross (here, next to this marker); a different marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 18, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 687 times since then and 91 times this year. Last updated on February 20, 2026, by Kate Clifford of Lansdowne, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 18, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
