* wedding wednesday: Betsy Ross Ashburn Claypoole
Wed, July 6, 2011 at 5:14 PM This year I spent the 4th of July in Philadelphia visiting my college roommate bff Linds. My plans for a trip to the archives changed when I learned Jackie, my Philadelphia tour guide/alter ego, was eager to show me around town!
My wedding wednesday was inspired by our visit to the Betsy Ross House. It was a beautiful summer day exploring historic philadelphia. We really enjoyed touring the historic house on Arch Street (between 2nd and 3rd Streets) in Philadelphia, PA. This is the original house Betsy Ross rented while running her upholstery business when George Washington approached her to construct the American Flag. It was a fun experience and I suggest checking it out. We learned a lot in a short time at an affordable cost, the tour was $4 for adults. There is no photography allowed in the house.
One aspect of Betsy's life that I found particularly interesting was her marriages. I had no idea she was married 3 times or the tragedies she endured as a very young woman.
A timeline of Betsy's marriages
(info from the tour and their website)
January 1, 1752
Elizabeth "Betsy" Griscom is born to a Quaker family in Philadelphia, Pa.
November 4, 1773
Betsy, 21, married her sweetheart John Ross. He was not from the Quaker faith and their marriage resulted in Betsy's expulsion from the Quaker community. John died just two years later in 1775 from an accidental explosion of gun powder and Betsy became a widow. Betsy is 24 years old.
June 14, 1777 Congress officially declares the flag made by Betsy Ross as the national flag.
One of my pictures from the Betsy Ross House
June 15, 1777
Betsy, 26, is married for the second time to Joseph Ashburn. This union also ends tragically. After being captured at sea during the Revolution, Joseph died in 1782 while imprisoned by the British. Betsy is 31 years old.
May 8, 1783
Betsy, 32, then married John Claypoole. He had been imprisoned with her second husband Joseph Ashburn. With this marriage she returned to her Quaker roots. Her longest marriage lasting 34 years, she still outlived another husband. John died in 1817 and he had been disabled for the last 20 years of his life. Betsy is 66 years old.
January 30, 1836 - RIP Elizabeth "Betsy" Griscom Ross Ashburn Claypoole
Betsy was 84 years old.
Reader Comments (1)
Great information! I am glad you had a great time, and actually I have learned more from your blog on Betsy Ross then I did at the house! Great photo as well....