Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-07-03

in Philadelphia it has been suggested
as compromise that 1t be transferred
to Paramount park and rebuilt there,
as was done In the case of the old
William Penn. house. thus making 1t
reproduction, but practically destroy
ing its identity. Thus it will be seen
how narrow has been its escape from
demolition and how timely are the eff
forts which have been so recently made
for Its rescue and preservation. 1t is al
most a miracle that through all these
possibilities of destruction 1t remained
and stands today on its original site
essentially unchanged from what it
has been for over 200 years.
Apart from the event which gives 1t
special honor and peculiarly endears
it to the American people. 1t has dis
tinct 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 the
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 1t back 80 years. which
is as far as the record extends, but Is by
no means as old as the property itself.
1t is a low ceiled. two story house,
with one attic dorner 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 il 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 its heavy oaken floor.
its triangular cupboard, its mantel and
fireplace, are the same and as well
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 1st day of January, 1862.
Mr.. Griscom was a builder of consid-
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 comedy and
amiable and to have had many suitors
for her heart and hand. Following the
dictates OF her own affections, she ac-
copied young John Ross, a nephew of
George Ross, one of the signers OF the
Declaration of Independence, and was
married to him in December, 1T73. As
he was an Episcopalian, she was dis
~,1t-v,r1 In the ns.oIyoYc 70 a r.yxyiF1cr
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 deft with her needle, she
proved a 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
-. Il, ii
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 consideration !