The History of the First United States Flag: and the Patriotism of Betsy Ross, the Immortal Heroine That Originated the First Flag of the UnionReigart, J. Franklin (John Franklin)
History
The History of the First United States Flag: and the Patriotism of Betsy Ross, the Immortal Heroine That Originated the First Flag of the Union
Reigart, J. Franklin (John Franklin)
Flags -- United States
Mrs. Betsy Ross put all her household to work in earnest, and the
“FLAGS,” made of silk and bunting, were not only admired, but
afterwards approved and adopted by the committee of Congress. General
George Washington, Dr. Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson,
frequently visited her store, to see what progress she was making,
and were not only pleased, but expressed their astonishment at her
dexterity and judgment, and in the most flattering terms complimented
her for her remarkable skill with the SCISSORS, as she folded a piece
of white silk and with one cut formed the beautiful five-pointed star.
Mrs. Ross, by order of the Government, continued making the army and
navy Flags of the United States for upwards of fifty-five years,
and after her death, in 1832, her daughter, Mrs. Clarissa S. Wilson
continued the business, and they became generally and widely known
as the most patriotic ladies of America. After the death of Mr. John
Ross, she was married to Mr. John Claypoole, the grandson of Sir John
Claypoole, the grandson of Oliver Cromwell, who came to Philadelphia
with William Penn. She afterwards moved from Arch near Third street, to
Second street near Dock, where she resided until her death, at the good
old age of four score years and ten.
Mrs. Betsy Ross was of medium height, strong in form, but remarkably
graceful and erect; she had a handsome face, a very fair transparent
complexion, projecting eyebrows, blue sparkling eyes, and light brown
hair. She was a perfect “FRIEND” in all her speech and movements;
possessed of the most refined sprightly intellect and polished
education; in fact she was well known throughout the whole of
Philadelphia city, as a “_sharp, thorough going woman_.” FIRST in
Friends’ Meeting, where the spirit moved her to speak and to act; FIRST
amidst the Daughters of Benevolence, furnishing clothing and lint for
the Continental troops, scattering printed patriotic songs and appeals
amongst them; and FIRST and most effective in her attentions to the
sick. She was, in truth, what her friends styled her, “A Healing
Medium,”—but respected and esteemed by all the physicians and surgeons
of Philadelphia, as “_the true Friend of the sick_,” for when her hand
touched and bathed the burning fevered brow of the sick soldier, he
knew that he had one friend, and that friend was a true one. Whenever
she entered the sick chamber, she saturated her handkerchief with
vinegar, (that she carried in a phial in her pocket, as a precaution
against contagion,) and after wiping her forehead, lips and hands,
she quietly approached the bedside of the afflicted invalid, and
placing her hand upon his forehead, she would whisper these words,
“_In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray that your health may
be restored_,” and then she would administer the medicines and
restoratives as directed by the visiting physicians; and her angelic
nature, purer than that of Jeanne Dare, was the powerful agency of
health.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account