07/13/2026
The Story behind the American Flag: Betsy Ross
Recently, I wrote a post about a book "The Christmas Doll of Hope" ... it is a family story that needed to be preserved and it is making quite an impact on the family. There was question about if it is a true story or a falsehood passed down. The author knows the story is true and was guided to get the story published.
This leads me to a second example of "why" it is so important to interview and record family stories. Betsy Ross participation in helping to create the American Flag was written in an article "The History of the Flag of the United States" by her grandson William Canby. He presented his narrative to the Historical Society in 1870.
Here's the link: https://www.ushistory.org/Betsy/more/canby.htm
Here's an excerpt:
"According to a well sustained tradition in the family of Elizabeth Claypoole (the Elizabeth Ross) this lady is the one to whom belongs the honor of having made with her own hands the first flag. Three of her daughters are still living who confirm this statement, not from their own knowledge, for the flag was made before they were born, but from the recollection of their mother's often repeated narration and from hearing it told by others who were cognizant of the facts during their childhood; and there is also yet living a niece of Mrs Claypoole's, Mrs Margaret Boggs (now in her 95th year) who resides with a niece in Germantown, Philadelphia, and still has full possession of all her faculties, who remembers well the incidents of the transaction as she heard it told, in her intimate in*******se with the family many times.
The writer of this paper in the year 1857 had a conversation on the subject with the eldest daughter of Elizabeth Claypoole, then in active life, but since deceased, Mrs Clarissa S. Wilson, who succeeded her mother in the business of flag and color making and continued it for many years. Mrs Wilson's statement was put in writing at the time, as have been also the statements of her sisters and of Mrs Boggs and the substance of them is now given.
We believe the fact is not generally known that to Philadelphia belongs the honor of having first flung the "Star Spangled Banner" to the breeze, and that to a Philadelphia lady, long since gathered to her fathers, belongs the honor of having made the first flag with her own hands. ..."
I find the article to be an interesting short bio about Betsy Ross. I got to learn more about her. She learned a trade that would serve as a means to be independent and NOT dependent on her father. Yet, in a world that still leaned on marriage to survive in the world, she married more than one. It is marvelous to see the hand of God in one of the marriages ... what an interesting turn of events for her (read to see what I am talking about).
If you listen to one historians point of view as shared with kids, you'd think that Betsy rode into the sunset of a fairytale business life that had no setbacks or stretched her to keep going in faith, everything will work out. Betsy did experience discouragement and depression.
You get to read deeper details surrounding the commission to make flags, a group of witnesses, and character descriptions - William used the word "indefatigable" to describe her. We also get to read that she was of such a remarkable character that many people "looked up to her". Her family history and where she is buried ... details that could be lost if not for this beautiful narrative.
I hope this article will inspire you to see how important your narrative is and collect the interviews, resources needed to support your story.
Happy researching and writing. 🥰
A transcription of 'The History of the Flag of the United States' by William Canby, the testimony of Betsy Ross's grandson concerning her role in the creation of the U.S. flag
