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“I do not know, but I will try.”
—Betsy Ross’ Alleged Response to George Washington’s Question as to Whether She Could Produce the Flag of the Design Ross Proposed
The Betsy Ross Flag: A Stitch in the Fabric of a Nation
In the dim light of a Philadelphia workshop in 1776, as the colonies boldly approached the brink of independence, a humble twenty-four-year-old seamstress bent over her needle and thread. The workshop room was filled with hushed voices and the quiet resolve of revolution. Within the room, the young American woman could plainly hear British troops marching and firing cannons from a short distance.
But ignoring all the outside clamor, Betsy Ross—the name by which history has come to identify the young seamstress— stitched together a symbol that would one day be revered across a prodigious nation. Ultimately, Ross’ creation was the first American flag. And while many historians now regard the story of Betsy Ross’ stitching of the American flag as a unifying myth of a nation in need of heroes and heroines, the narrative has come to represent the hope, struggle, and courage that birthed a new nation.
The "Betsy Ross Flag," with its thirteen red and white stripes and a circle of thirteen five-pointed white stars on a field of blue in the canton, is more than a piece of fabric. It is a symbol of rebellion, unity, and the daring idea that a people could govern themselves. The story of its creation, however, is woven with threads of both patriotism and controversy.
[Photo: The Betsy Ross Flag]
The Story Behind the Flag
According to legend, in June of 1776, a secret committee from the Continental Congress in Philadelphia approached Elizabeth “Betsy” Ross, a local Philadelphian notable for her sewing skills. The committee members who visited Ross included George Washington, George Ross (Betsy’s late husband's uncle), and Robert Morris. These revolutionary leaders asked Betsy Ross to create the first flag to officially represent the new United States of America. Washington is said to have brought a rough sketch of the flag design, which included six-pointed stars to represent the colonies, but Betsy suggested the more easily cut five-pointed star instead. Ceding to Ross’ judgement, Washington quickly approved her adaption of his design.
[Photo: Betsy Ross and Her Apprentices at Work]
Though this tale is inspiring, it didn't surface until nearly a century later, in 1870, when Betsy Ross's grandson, William Canby, presented the story to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. He relied solely on family oral tradition, with no contemporary documentation to support the claim. Nonetheless, the story captured the national imagination and entrenched Betsy Ross as an American icon.
Controversy and Doubt Concerning the Betsy Ross Legend
The narrative of Betsy Ross’ creation of the first U.S. flag is as inspiring as it is captivating. But, truth be told, the story was only first told in 1870 to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania by Ross’ grandson William Canby. Canby’s sole source was the word-of-mouth history passed down through his family’s generations—he could produce no contemporary documentation whatsoever to support his claim. Neverthelss, the story captured the national imagination and entrenched Betsy Ross as an American icon.
The legend of Betsy Ross and the first American flag is popular for obvious reasons. Yet historians have long been suspicious of supporting the legend as truth. No Continental Congress records, no letters or documents written by or to Ross, Washington, or Morris, and no receipts for payment to Ross have ever been put forth to substantiate that Ross’ iconic meeting with some of the most prolific Founding Fathers ever took place.
Ross’ legend seems even more suspect when you learn that a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Francis Hopkinson, publicly claimed to have designed the flag and even submitted a bill to Congress in 1780 requesting payment for inventing “the Flag of the United States.” While it is true that Congress rejected Hopkinson’s request, the fact that he made such a claim in the first place is supported by contemporary documentation.
[Photo: Francis Hopkinson]
Still, the emotional power of the Betsy Ross story has kept it alive in the American consciousness. It represents not only the contributions of women during the Revolution but also the role of everyday citizens in shaping the nation’s destiny.
The Betsy Ross Flag in the Context of the American Revolution
Whether or not she sewed the first American flag, it is indisputable that Betsy Ross participated in the turmoil and sacrifice of the American Revolution. Documentation does exist to prove that she ran an upholstery business, supported herself after her husband’s death in a militia accident with that business, and repaired uniforms and made other flags and signal banners for Continental forces. Ross’ life was one of resilience, mirroring the very struggle for independence for which the revolutionaries fought so desperately.
The Betsy Ross Flag itself became a vital unifying symbol during the Revolution. Prior to its creation, the colonies and their soldiers used a confusing variety of banners, many of which incorporated British symbols. The adoption of a distinctly American flag signaled a formal break with Great Britain. At the same time, the display of the five-pointed white stars in a circle helped promote equality and a collective identity among the disparate colonies.
[Photo: Betsy Ross’ Upholstery Business]
Commanders of military outposts, ships’ captains, and civic leaders proudly displayed re-creations of Betsy Ross’ banner time and time again. The iconic flag design helped rally troops, inspire civilians, and communicate to the world that the colonies saw themselves as a united, independent nation. Though Ross’ alleged design of the American Flag would evolve over time to reflect the growth of the United States, the original Betsy Ross Flag remains a potent emblem of the Revolution’s ideals: liberty, justice, and the courage to defy empire.
The Legacy of the Betsy Ross Flag Today
In her real or imagined Philadelphia workshop, Betsy Ross almost surely never realized the enduring power her work would possess. But the image of the young American seamstress—hands steady, eyes focused, and heart committed—endures as one of the most moving and iconic scenes in American lore. The story of the Betsy Ross Flag, with its imperfect origin and lasting influence, reminds us that nations are not just built by generals and statesmen, but also by ordinary people with extraordinary courage. And perhaps that lesson that the traditional narrative of Betsy Ross’ most famous contribution to the American Revolution leaves the legitimate doubt over the story’s veracity relatively moot.
[Photo: The Betsy Ross Flag on Display in a Museum]