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Ross (BETSY famous in history)

BETSY, famous in history as the maker of the first American flag. She was born in 1752, in Philadelphia, a daughter of Samuel Griscom, who helped to erect Independence Hall, and was married to John Ross. Following the decision of the Continental Congress in respect to a national flag, a committee, including George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross called on Mrs.

Ross and invited her to undertake the sewing. She agreed and it was on her suggestion that the five-point rather than the six-point star was used. Mrs. Ross contracted to make all the government flags and the business continued in the family till 1857. Mrs. Ross died in 1836.

In 1898 the Betsy Ross Memorial Association was formed, and in 1905 the house of Betsy Ross was converted into public property as the American Flag House.