Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-07-02
TIE BETSY ROSS FLAG
John Quincy Adams Confirms
 Story of Old GIory's Birth.

Story Of Old Gl0ry'S Birth. PROOF IN BILLS FOR WORK. Declares He Has Documents Showing
 How Much Mrs. Ross Reoeived-Re-
 flutes Statement That the Story Is
 Fake.
 / Colonel John Quincy Adams, lineal descendant of Andrew Adams, cousin of Samuel Adams, the patriot, and John Adams, second president of the United States, secretary and one of the three founders of the American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial asso- citation, keenly resents the report of William J. Campbell of Philadelphia. who as chairman of the historic sites committee of that city has declared that "the Betsy Ross story is a fake of the first water"
 When seen at his home in New York
 
 deavoring to keep cool, but found it impossible whenever he thought of the charges brought by Chairman Camp bell against the sacred house and name' which he had saved to the na- tion."
 Philadelphia is slow." said he to a reporter of the New York Times. "She does not know when she has price less relic within her borders. Mfr. Campbell might as well say Independ- ence hall is not Independence hall as to deny that the first American flag was designed in the Betsy Ross house.
 Tt is too late to try to shake the story of the birth of the American flag. I can prove everything about it, and have done it in several courts"
 Colonel Adams was wrought up to the point of making these and other re- marks by reports from Philadelphia that the Betsy Ross house would re- ceive no recognition at the hands of those who are planning a celebration of Founders day in October. A com mittee named to investigate the authen- ticity of historic sites in Philadelphia, particularly those associated with the Revolution, presented report through Mir. Campbell bearing the caption, "The Betsy Ross House, Where Betsy Ross Did Not Design the American Flag"
 It came out in the statements of Colonel Adams also that the Betsy Ross association has recently offered the house to the city of Philadelphia as gift, and Colonel Adams has let ter from Mayor Reyburn, stating that he had laid the proposal of the associa- ton before the councils of Philadelphia. What effect the report made by Mir. Campbell, ridiculing the claim of the landmark to any veneration whatever, will have on the action of the councils when the offer of the association is up for consideration Colonel Adams would not venture guess. He seemed con fident, however, that in the end the city would gladly accept the house.
 'Now, this is the story of the Betsy Ross house." said Colonel Adams, "and am ready to prove every word say. Just before the revolution there lived In Philadelphia a pretty Quaker girl of twenty or so named Betsy Griscom. She had already become well known because of her skill with the needle, and her beauty and accomplishments brought her many suitors The sue cessful one was John Ross, son of an Episcopal clergyman at Wilmington, Del, who had come to Philadelphia and opened an upholstery shop. She helped her husband with her needle. and when he was killed soon after the beginning of the war while guarding q magazine in Arch street Betsy Ross continued to carry on the business. John Ross was nephew of George Ross. one of the signers of the Declara- tion of Independence, and when Sam uel Adams up fin Boston said this coun- try should have a flag, because patriots and redcoats should not be shouting for the same flag, Washington agreed with him.
 But who should make the fagf Washington drew a rough sketch, mak- ing the stars six pointed. as the Brit ish stars are. Then George Ross spoke up about the widow of his nephew. They went 10 Betsy Ross house. those three-washington Robert Morris and sGeorge Ross. On their way they stop ped in to see John Hancock, who was laid up with the gout, and told him their plans
 -T cannot go with you said Han cock. but have here some bunting red. white and blue-which may be of service and so the illustrious patriots took the bunting on to Betsy Ross house.
 Washington presented his sketch of the flag. but Betsy Ross said:
 "'why not make The stars five point ed instead of sixT And Washington and the others at once agreed 10 1t
 "Mr. Campbell talks about a five starred flag. There never was any other than a thirteen starred flag He probably means fire pointed stars. And so the flag was made. and l have ia my possession bills which show how much Betsy Ross received for making the flags. for she continued 10 make them. and her daughters snd grand daughters after her. down to 1S5a
 ~And how do [ know that Washing ton went to her housei Because she told George Capby. her grandson. 60.