Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-07-04


as a compromise that it be transferred
to Fairmount park and rebuilt there,
as was done in the case of the old
William Penn house, thus making It
reproduction, but practically destroy
ing its identity. Thus it will be seen
how narrow has been It's escape from
demolition and how timely are the ef-
forts which have been so recently made
for its rescue and preservation. It is al
most a miracle that through all these
possibilities of destruction it remained
and stands today on its original site
essentially unchanged from what 1t
has been for over 200 years.
Apart from the event which gives It
special honor and peculiarly endears
it to the American people, it has a dis
tlnct claim for consideration on &C.
count Of its antiquity and association
with the past. The tradition that it
was built of bricks brought over in
the ship Welcome, which bore tho
Penn colony, may not be sustained. yet
it is absolutely certain that it is one
of the original buildings of the city, as
the deed dates it back $50 years, which
is as far as the record extends, but is by
no means as old as the property itself.
It is a low ceiled, two story house,
with one attic dormer window in the
center of the slOping roof. The same
small panes, set in their heavy sashes,
and the old wooden shutters, with
their handmade screws and fastenings.
present the exterior as it has been for
all these years. The front room, into
which the same old fashioned street
door ushers the visitors today, was
changed into an upholstery shop at the
time when Betsy Ross and her hus-
band took up their home and piled
their vocation there. But the little
back parlor and it's heavy oaken floor,
its triangular cupboard, its mantel and
fireplace, are the same and as we'll
preserved as when Betsy Ross enter
tanned the congressional committee
there 127 years ago.
Betsy Ross was the daughter Of Sam.
uel and Elizabeth Griscom and was
born on the LIST day Of January, 1852.
Mr.. Griscom was builder of cons1d-
cradle repute and was associated in the
erection of Independence hall. The
family were Quakers, and Betsy was
brought up in that faith. She is re-
puted to have grown up comely and
and to have had many suftors
for her heart and hand. Following the
Of her own affections, she ao-
cepted young John Ross, nephew OF
George Ross, one Of the signers of the
Declaration Of Independence, and was
married to him in December, IT'D. As
he was an Epfscopahan, she was dts
owned by the Quakers for marrying
out Of her faith and attended service
with her husband at the now venerable
old Christ church on Second street.
near their residence, where among the
worshipers she often saw the stately
presence Of Washington.
Notably def with her needle, she
proved valuable assistant to her hus-
band in his craft, and the little shop
into which the front room was turned
became a place Of much resort for
stately danes and general patrons, who
found the taste and skill Of the young
mistress suited to their ideals and her
engaging manners acceptable to their
social demands.
1t was a simple, happy home, but not
destined to be Of long continuance.
When the war broke out John Ross
connected himself with the army,
though remaining in the. city, and in
January, 1776, was killed by an ex-
plosion of powder while guarding mill
tary stores in the city arsenal at the
foot Of Arch street. short distance
from their home. Being familiar with
the business and having established
the stand, Mrs. Ross continued it in the
same house after her husbands death,
and secured sufficient patronage through
her skill and popularity to maintain
herself comfortably with little thought
Of what the future held in reserve.
But better times were In store for her.
The adoption of national emblem
having come under the consid eration