New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-28

the records CT Old Christ Church. the bryinc Grounn
at Fifth and Arch sts., January 20, 177G.
From this point the story has cften been tod how
she herocaly carried on the business alone, ana III
few months aferwaId General Washington. with
her uncle Colonel Ross and the committee Of Congress,
called upon Tie talented and spr.ghtly young widow
who not only great iavori'c of her uncle, but
enlisted his earnest sympathy-ani asked her II she
thought she could make flag from design, rcnSh
drawing OF which General Washington exhibited I'll"
replied with diGdence and becoming mOdcsty tha'
She did not know, but would Try" With quick ap-
probation. however. she noticed that the stars rs
drawn showed six points. and then told General
Washington and the other gentlemen present that tAe
correct star should have but five pJints. To The
answer given that they understood that. but that
great number would be- required. and the more regular
form with SIX could be more easily made Than one
with five points. she promptly responded In hljS'
practical way by deity folding scrap OF paper III
way readily remembered n one Of the little arts OF
her trade and then with single clip of her scissors,
which In the quaint old way were hanging rrtN ~
hcr idc. $40 displayed 10 the astohshed eyes Oh lh,
august committee true symmetrical hVe-poih'"'
This ut once decided rot only that poini in her
favor. but other suggestions Of hers were agreed o
and after the design WAS partially redIawn on the
table in her little back larior III" was left 10 MAX
arrangement Of the stars the proportions of the stripes
ard the general form of the whole ron us com
plction it presented 10 Congress and th' cJnl-
mittce soon had the pleasure OF reporting "a
Eetsy Ross that her flag was accepted rs the Na'i.h
standard and She was authorized - proceed al ,'cp
10 the manufacture a large number for disposal ny
the Continental Congress: A soon rs the 'omni,,"c
had left her. such sudden and unexpected gooa l1f
tune in her modest business undertaking for me
moment seemed almost too much for the nraX o,,i hf
fny considering her ability TO meet III" requirements
OF this seemingly too great rcNponSih'y. hcr uhcr;
from the other Imcmber, Of the committee. quickly
returned alone and laying down noe OF irg' o."
nomination her table. chceriv told hcr now rN'ui
he knew money would be- to her. and advised her Ia
purchase immediately all the bunting she cond Hr'
Hold OF in Philadelphia. The unusual sight OF snch
a large amount OF money and her unclcs good words
of encouragement dlspeed her mom"niary 'repda,i"
and from that time on n"r 'm u.s. ,d n.r moments
record has been discovered ana published that IN May
III CongrsS made an SI FIR o. sac . for the ne, in
the Delaware River" which shows that IN. r'.nn ,
Of June IA. 1777 was MT the birth OF IN" nag ny
Al MS day to The dc.ccniants Of BE, Betsy ES,.
nothing is known Of what done or what became
Of the original or frs, made nag. Accolnl,g a. !" y
tradition in the family waS ' from rom i mnncd
of merchant ship lying at or near Ea'c.,' whnri,
Ju OF The circumstances attending II we av" ho'hihe
authcrtic When Il Is remembered what dl,ord"i,d
condition pnbnc affair wGic in at ,hn' nm r,n ,s
Of even scrioSm minded FOLKS In regard 10 The important
events transpiiing ii Is not To bc wondered That Ht'
in whh did not r@aIize their historical Importance.
II is. however an Important fact TO chronicle ,ha,
time by Betsy Ross. continued by her and her
mmcdia,, family for sixty ODD ycar>. Her
clic,, daughter bv her last husband. John ChvppCN.
nv aunt Mr.. &. :. Wilson. did not entirely rcllnqIi,!
the business which had never been interrupted, untll
the year 1867: that there l. no Ciihcuv whatever
in our family tracing the American nag back to lis
original starting point.
All published pictures Of my grandmother gre tic.
titious "a she lcN no portrait whatcror. .h' wa
b-rn elizabeth GIiscOm) January l. i152; married
first Ross. second AShbnrn. third Claypocle. ana d.l
in nv fathers hons" IN tM- city. February IL.
Ice ac,d oighty-fonr years. when little boy
six wears old that I'm ore of The very irw
Twin VIII iaV reductions
of the first star STaHgled banner ..
GEORGE CANBE.