Heavens to Betsy!

History 4 Minutes

Today is Betsy Ross’s birthday and I found an article on Have Fun With History about Betsy!

From havefunwithhistory.com:

Betsy Ross, born on January 1, 1752, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a prominent figure in American history known for her role in the creation of the first American flag. While her life and contributions are often celebrated, some aspects remain shrouded in legend and debate. This brief introduction provides a glimpse into the life of Betsy Ross, a woman whose association with the American flag has left an indelible mark on the nation’s history and identity.

Betsy Ross Facts

1 Born on January 1, 1752, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Betsy Ross was born as Elizabeth Griscom in the bustling colonial city of Philadelphia. She was one of 17 children in her family, and her Quaker parents, Samuel Griscom and Rebecca James, raised her in the Quaker faith.

2 Married John Ross in 1773

In 1773, Betsy Ross married John Ross, who was an Anglican vestryman and an upholsterer by trade. Together, they established an upholstery business in Philadelphia. However, their marriage was short-lived due to John Ross’s untimely death in 1776 during the early years of the American Revolutionary War. Despite the brevity of their marriage, Betsy Ross continued to work in the upholstery trade after his passing.

3 Known for her role in creating the first American flag

Betsy Ross is most renowned for her association with the creation of the first American flag. According to legend, she was approached by a committee consisting of George Washington, George Ross (John Ross’s uncle), and Robert Morris in June 1776. They presented her with a rough design of the American flag, which had 13 stars and 13 stripes, representing the 13 American colonies. Betsy Ross is said to have suggested changes to the design, including the use of a five-pointed star and the arrangement of stars in a circle. While the exact historical accuracy of this story remains debated, it has become a cherished part of American folklore, and Betsy Ross is widely recognized for her association with the creation of the American flag.

4 Traditionally credited with suggesting design modifications for the flag

As previously mentioned, Betsy Ross is traditionally credited with suggesting design modifications to the American flag presented to her by George Washington and the committee. According to the legend, she proposed using a five-pointed star instead of a six-pointed one, as well as arranging the stars in a circular pattern. This circular arrangement made it easier to create the stars, as opposed to the more complex design of a star within a star.  While there is some debate among historians about the accuracy of this specific account, there is no doubt that Betsy Ross was an accomplished flag maker, and her contributions to early American flag design are celebrated.

5 The first American flag she created had 13 stars and 13 stripes

Betsy Ross’s most famous creation was the first American flag, which she is believed to have sewn in 1776. This flag had 13 stars, representing the 13 original colonies, and 13 stripes, alternating red and white, symbolizing the same colonies. The design was intended to reflect the united efforts of the American colonies in their struggle for independence from British rule. The stars and stripes have since become iconic symbols of the United States and its history.

6 Operated an upholstery business with her first husband, John Ross

Betsy Ross and her first husband, John Ross, ran an upholstery business together in Philadelphia. Upholstery involved the crafting and repair of furniture, making draperies, and creating various fabric-based items. While John Ross was also involved in the early stages of the American Revolution, Betsy’s skills as a seamstress and upholsterer became particularly valuable during this time. After John’s death in 1776, Betsy continued to manage and operate the upholstery business on her own. Her ability to work with fabrics and textiles likely contributed to her involvement in flag-making, and she remained an active and skilled craftsman throughout her life.

7 Married three times in her lifetime

Betsy Ross had a complex personal life, marked by three marriages. Her first marriage was to John Ross in 1773. After his death in 1776, she married Joseph Ashburn in 1777. Tragically, Ashburn died while imprisoned by the British during the Revolutionary War. Betsy’s third marriage was to John Claypoole in 1783, and together they had five daughters. Betsy’s marriages were intertwined with the challenges and turmoil of the Revolutionary period.

8 Widowed multiple times, her husbands had ties to the Revolutionary War

All three of Betsy Ross’s husbands had direct or indirect connections to the American Revolutionary War. John Ross died early in the war, Joseph Ashburn was a sailor who suffered the hardships of wartime captivity, and John Claypoole was a veteran of the Continental Army. Betsy’s personal life was deeply affected by the conflicts and challenges of the Revolutionary period.

9 Died on January 30, 1836, at the age of 84

Betsy Ross lived a long life and passed away at the age of 84. Her death occurred on January 30, 1836, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her legacy, particularly her association with the creation of the American flag, continued to be celebrated after her death, and she remains a notable figure in American history.

10 Buried at the Free Quaker Burying Ground in Philadelphia

Betsy Ross was buried at the Free Quaker Burying Ground in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Free Quakers were a group of Quakers who broke away from the mainstream Quaker community during the American Revolution because they supported the American cause. Betsy Ross’s burial at this historic site is a testament to her affiliation with the Free Quakers and her enduring connection to the Revolutionary period.

SOURCE: HAVEFUNWITHHISTORY.COM

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Published by pat frederick

Published

117 thoughts on “Heavens to Betsy!”

    1. Happy New Year, Pat! I was asleep long before midnight, of course. 20 here this morning and the skies look clear at the moment but that will change. More snow – possibly 1-3 inches here – in the next few days and bitter cold w/single digit highs. Typical winter, IOW. No sign of Wheezer yet.

      Liked by 1 person

        1. Nope – no sign of it. I expect there is a logical explanation. Any fire that is burning any kind of wires will put off noxious odors, as well many other plastic items.

          Liked by 1 person

  4. Thank you for the wonderful story about Betsy Ross, Miss Pat, what a life she had during the turbulent formation of our nation!

    Liked by 2 people

  5. slowcreekno
    slowcreekno(@slowcreekno)Online
    Wolverine
    Reply to Wolf Moon | Threat to Demonocracy
    January 1, 2025 03:47

    Happy New Year!

    Now 2025 is a square number, it is 45 times 45. And now think of who is often associated with that number… things appear to be looking better than they have been for a while.

    Liked by 2 people

  10. Good morning! What a way to ring in the new year!!! Just as anyone with an ounce of common sense expected…..

    EXCERPT: “At least 10 people were killed and dozens injured when a driver rammed a truck into crowds on the famed Bourbon Street in New Orleans before reportedly jumping out and opening fire — just hours after the city rang in the New Year, according to officials and multiple reports.

    The mass casualty incident unfolded at the intersection of Bourbon and Canal streets in the French Quarter neighborhood around 3:15 a.m. — close to where revelers had gathered to watch the city’s New Year’s Eve fireworks, city officials said. Ten people were dead and at least 30 others were hospitalized in the wake of the ordeal, according to NOLA Ready, the city’s emergency preparedness agency.

    Additional details about the incident, including the extent of injuries, weren’t immediately known. Multiple witnesses told CBS News that the driver jumped out of the vehicle and immediately started shooting after plowing into the large crowd.

    Police fired back at the suspect, the outlet reported, citing witness accounts. Unverified videos circulating on social media purportedly showed scores of bodies lining the street as gunshots rang out. Several EMS and coroner vehicles could be seen in the aftermath.  

    The injured were rushed to five nearby hospitals, including University Medical Center, Touro Hospital and East Jefferson General Hospital, officials said….”

    https://nypost.com/2025/01/01/us-news/new-orleans-french-quarter-driver-rams-car-into-crowd-of-people-on-bourbon-street-killing-at-least-1/

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Just The News: “President-elect Donald Trump rang in the New Year with close friends and family at his Mar-a-Lago resort, promising his return to the White House in 2025 will raise America’s standing across the globe.

    “We’re going to do fantastic as a country,” a tuxedo-clad Trump told reporters Tuesday night during a brief gaggle. “People aren’t respecting us as much, and they will be.”

    Trump also addressed matters across a turbulent world, saying he’d wait to see if Hamas would reach a ceasefire with Israel and reiterating his demand that the terrorist group release all remaining hostages. 

    “I’ll put it this way: They better let the hostages come back soon,” he said.

    The President-elect also revealed he plans to attend the late Jimmy Carter‘s state funeral in Washington on January 9.

    Trump hosted a New Year’s Eve bash at his resort in Palm Beach, Florida, that included luminaries like Elon Musk and family members like his wife Melania and daughter Tiffany.”

    Liked by 1 person

  12. I just got my notice of benefits – no change for me!

    Just The News: “Millions of Americans will get expanded Social Security benefits because of federal legislation while others will get a pay raise on New Year’s Day due to state legislation. 

    Twenty-one states in the U.S. are expected to increase the minimum wage pay on Jan. 1. This is due to inflation adjustment, according to reports. The Economic Policy Institute reports that the state laws that are responsible for the index of minimum wage to inflation are trailing 13% of the January increases.

    The federal minimum wage is $7.25. It remains that way in 20 states. Other states have increased it as inflation has not been able to keep up with everyday prices.  “The truth is the number of workers that earn $7.25 per hour is quite low, but that still means with inaction we are leaving tens of millions of workers out to dry,” state economic analyst at the EPI, Sebastian Martinez Hickey, told CBS News in an interview…..”

    https://justthenews.com/nation/economy/millions-americans-will-get-pay-raise-new-years-day-increase-social-security

    Liked by 1 person

  13. A little more info on the attack on Bourbon Street:

    Just The News: “Ten people were killed and 30 others were injured after a vehicle drove into a crowd in downtown New Orleans in the early hours of New Year’s Day, according to multiple news reports.

    The Wednesday morning incident occurred at the city’s famed intersection of Canal and Bourbon streets, according to the Associated Press. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell called the incident a “terrorist” incident. 

    City Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said the driver shot two officers who are in stable condition. She also said the incident occurred at 3:15 a.m., the vehicle used in the incident was a pickup truck and the FBI will now lead the investigating. 

    Kirkpatrick also said the driver went around barricades to hit people in the crowd and was  “hellbent” on “creating the carnage and the damage that he did.”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. #UPDATE: Police are now investigating a suspicious package at the corner of Bourbon and Orleans following the ramming incident, with authorities stating that the vehicle hitting the crowd on Bourbon Street appeared to be intentional with the number raised to 12 deaths

      Liked by 1 person

  15. SMH – get over your racial hatred already, you jitbags!!!

    “This is insane. Why would you try to stop people from donating to an HBCU just because the kids got invited and want to perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration? The left are absolutely vile.”

    Here’s some of what Tiffany had to say to the race-baiters:

    This is an opportunity for black kids to show their talents and to perform for a president who loves them as much as he loves everyone else. And here are some of my black folks that are protesting because they [MSVU] are asking people to donate so they can get where they need to be.

    You’re mad when you’re not invited to the table. But, now, they’re pulling up a seat for you to sit at the table, and you’re still mad. 

    Boom. And she wasn’t done there, reminding those attacking the band that Trump had been a supporter of the black community for many years. As a reminder, Trump signed a bill during his first term that permanently provided over $250 million per year to HBCUs like MSVU.

    More from Tiffany:

    The hate that you all have for Trump is going to hinder these students from performing at something that will give them great exposure to the world. And you all still don’t care. 

    You all can donate to Kamala—millions of dollars—and she gave it to celebrities that already had millions of dollars, but you all won’t donate to these kids so they can go perform and show their talent? 

    Shame on you.

    Shame on them, indeed. It’s almost as if Bishop Swan needs to continue grievance-peddling in order to seem relevant. As Tiffany points out so well, it’s a self-defeating sham that only hurts people like the marching band members who have been handed a wonderful opportunity….”

    https://redstate.com/terichristoph/2024/12/31/hbcu-marching-band-trump-inauguration-n2183792

    Liked by 2 people

    1. they just can’t get off the platform and see the opportunity they’re messing up for those kids!

      give give give to blm so it can be stolen for expensive homes and lifestyles, but don’t give to ACTUAL kids who would treasure this memory?

      cut their noses off to spite their faces…idiots!

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Winston

    January 1, 2025 8:42 am

    Latest “Bird Flu” Psyop
    Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
    Robert W Malone MD, MS
    Dec 31, 2024

    https://www.malone.news/p/latest-bird-flu-psyop

    I am expert in influenza, and have consulted with the WHO over the past two decades on the topic of flu vaccines. This is one subject matter I am extremely knowledgeable about. This goes back to my medical school days, when I worked with Robert Lamb, one of the top influenza virus specialists in the world. It extended through much of my career, including my serving as Director of Clinical Influenza Vaccine Research for Solvay Biologicals, in which I oversaw over 200M$ in federal (BARDA) alternative (cell-based) influenza vaccine research funding.

    What is happening now with “bird flu” is another psyops campaign being conducted by the administrative/deep state, apparently in partnership with Pharma, against the American people. They know and we know that the “vaccines” being produced will be somewhat ineffective, as all flu “vaccines” are. The government is chasing a rapidly evolving RNA virus with a syringe, just like they did with HIV and C-19.

    Generally, the currently circulating avian influenza strain in the US does not include any cases of human-to-human transmission. And the current mortality, with over 60 cases identified, is 0%. NOT 50%.

    All the while they are getting prepared to roll out masks, lock-downs, quarantines, etc.

    All the while getting ready to roll out mRNA vaccines for poultry and livestock, as well as for all of us.

    The more they test, the more “bird flu” (H5N1) they will find. This “pandemic” is nothing more than an artifact of their newly developed protocols to test cattle, poultry, pets, people, and wildlife on a massive scale for avian influenza. In years past, this was not even considered. In the past, the USG did fund a massive testing and surveillance program called “Biowatch”. That program was a colossal failure and a massive waste of money. Billions of dollars.

    Of course, these facilities producing the tests have been repurposed from the COVID-19 testing facilities.

    As the United States is testing everyone who has even the mildest symptoms for the H5N1 (avian) influenza, guess what – they are finding it! This is what we call in the lab, a “sampling bias.”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. the maggot sure has an ego, doesn’t he?

      thinking after they rigged one election for him, they’d rig another. if he wasn’t such a loathsome dirt bag maybe…but he ain’t nothing but a bitter vindictive pos.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. “Every once in a while you run across a news story like this one where the headline and the photo tell you all you need to know, especially when they mention the pink onesie…”

    Thankfully, we don’t have that much snow but soon…..

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Cartoon from 1949 Saturday Evening Post:

    “The first ballgame played at the North Pole, 1960. Crewmembers of the USS Seadragon, a nuclear submarine, laid out the field with the pitcher’s mound as close to the exact point of the North Pole as they could reckon it. Every time a ball was hit into right field it crossed the International Dateline, and was, therefore, hit into the next day. But when the right fielder threw the ball back in, it came back to “today”… or for him, “yesterday”… I guess.

    And of course, being at the northernmost point possible, all of the players were technically “southpaws”, second base was 12 hours away from home plate, and to round the bases, a player would technically go around the world.

    Also there are months-long stretches of perpetual daylight, and others of steady darkness at the North Pole. So a baseball season there might involve several months of nothing but “day” games or several months of all “night” games.”

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Of course it’s a fricking terror attack, idiots! It was designed to instill terror!!! On Wiki:

    “On January 1, 2025, at around 3:15 a.m. a pickup truck was driven into a large crowd on Bourbon Street and Canal Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. The driver exited the truck and began firing a rifle before being fatally shot by police officers.[1] The incident occurred during New Year celebrations in the city.[2][3][4] At least 11 people were killed and around 36 others were injured, including two police officers.[5][6][7]Events

    The male driver exited a white Ford F-150 and began firing a weapon, hitting and injuring two New Orleans Police officers, with local authorities returning fire.[7] Witnesses and law enforcement officials said the driver was carrying an assault rifle.[1][8] Witnesses also said he was wearing body armor.[8] The suspect was killed in the shootout.[7][9][10]

    At least 11 people were killed and around 36 others were injured, including two police officers.[5][6][7] Emergency personnel took the wounded to five area hospitals.[3] Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said most of the victims were local residents as opposed to tourists.[7]

    According to police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation would take over the investigation of the attack. Federal law enforcement agents found improvised explosive devices inside the vehicle following the attack, though it was unclear if the devices were capable of detonation.[11]

    Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry expressed condolences to the victims of the attack and urged people to avoid the area.[5]

    The police together with LaToya Cantrell, the mayor of New Orleans, described the incident as a “terrorist attack”.[1][8] The FBI initially denied such a characterization.[12] President Joe Biden was briefed on the attack, and that they had contacted Mayor Cantrell to offer support.[7]

    Republican Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy called the attack “so tragic” in a post on X.[7]

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Seems kind of stupid to put up a barricade that is flimsy enough that a pick-up can drive thru it – use the movable cement jersey walls, FFS!!! How hard is that to figure out?!?!?

    Liked by 1 person

          1. NP – it’s what I do every day – first thing I do when I wake up in my recliner is turn on the TV. It’s easier for my eyes to adjust than turning on bright lights and I ALWAYS want to know about any breaking news. The next thing is the light over my table, where I sit all day….then it’s coffee time and, as I go by the patio doors, I turn on the light and look for Wheezer. It’s a daily routine – if he’s there, I put the food out & pet him if he’ll tolerate it. Prepare cup with creamer, pour in the coffee and MW. While that’s happening, I fire up my computer.

            Like clockwork, pretty much, altho today I took some time to turn on my electric heaters to take some of the load off of my furnace.

            Liked by 1 person

  25. OMG! I cannot believe the banal, ridiculous statements some of these officials put out! What justice is there to get, FFS? The guy is dead! 😕😕😲😲😦😦

    From the Louisiana AG: “I’m praying for the victims and will ensure that they get justice for this appalling act.”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Jeez….well, it is that time of year. I’ve got bright sunshine at the moment @ 25 but that will be changing and we’ve got snow predicted here early Thursday and again on Saturday, with lows @ night down to 0. Thankfully, tho, low winds. I put the WP feeders back out – as long as it’s snow & not rain and not too windy, I can leave them out.

      Liked by 1 person

  28. I want to start this year out right. I TRULY VALUE each and everyone here. FILLY, GA, KEA, KATHARINE AND ALL WHO READ, BUT DO NOT COMMENT!

    everyone brings something different to the table and I LOVE YOU ALL!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. And thanks to YOU, dear friend, for providing this haven for all of the above….but especially me! I have few friends and I treasure those I do have, especially you! Soulmates, we are!

      Liked by 1 person

  30. OMG! I can’t believe I’m doing this but I actually turned to CNN to see if they had info on who it was: “One eye witness (from a balcony) said the barriers to this area were flimsier than other barriers on other streets.” I’ll take one for the team and sit on it for a bit…..

    Liked by 1 person

  33. “Mexico to Open Mass Deportation Camps on Trump’s Inauguration Day…But no foreigners allowed”

    Sharyl Attkisson, Jan 01, 2025

    ENTIRE ARTICLE: “Mexico is bracing to receive a large number of illegal immigrants deported from the US starting the day that President Donald Trump takes office for a second term. According to reports, the Mexican government is opening 25 camps or “shelters” to temporarily house deported Mexican citizens. Each facility will be able to take in up to 500 people, for a total of 12,500 at a time.

    President Trump first committed to a plan to enact a mass deportation program during an interview on “Full Measure with Sharyl Attkisson” 16 months ago, in September of 2023.

    (Video)

    ‘Sharyl: So how do you deal with those, or do you deal with those, who are already here? Trump: You have to get ‘em out. You have to deport. You have to have a mass deportation program, that right. And you know what? When you say that, they’ll stop coming.”

    The governor of the Mexican state of Baja California, Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda, recently told reporters that Mexico is taking Trump’s deportation plans seriously. Avila Olmeda says Mexico’s president will ask Trump to send non-Mexican illegal immigrants to their own countries and not through Mexico. Foreigners will not be welcome at the new shelters.

    What we do know, throughout his campaign, he threatened to do this, and since he was already president of the United States, we believe this time he will be stricter and tougher when it comes to deportations. We are working to get ready and receive our migrants…These shelters that are being planned are for those being repatriated who are coming from north to south, but no foreigners, only Mexicans, this must be made clear — Mexicans will be welcomed back to their country and their human rights will be respected.

    Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda, Governor, Baja California, Mexico

    The deported illegal immigrants will ultimately be transported to their hometowns in the interior of Mexico, says Ávila Olmeda.”

    Watch the full September 2023 interview with Donald Trump here.

    Read more on the Mexican shelters here.

    https://sharylattkisson.substack.com/p/mexico-to-open-mass-deportation-camps

    Liked by 1 person

  34. OK, Fox just said “…the truck, as we now know – it’s been reported has passed over the Eagle Pass border crossing 2 days ago, whether it this individual that drove it or somebody else drove it, it was driven by a human being…”

    Liked by 1 person

  35. Now Fox is saying the perpetrator was NOT the person who drove the truck over Eagle Pass – it went thru several hands after it came over on 11/17.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. booger 71

      booger 71

      January 1, 2025 12:11 pm

      From nola.com

      The suspect accused of plowing a truck through a crowd on Bourbon Street is named Shamsud Din Jabbar, according to a law enforcement source.
      He’s 42 years old. Police shot and killed him after the attack. 
      The source said he was carrying an ISIS flag in the truck.

      Like

  40. Suspect’s last name was Shamsud Din Jabbar…..

    EXCERPT: “Suspect dead:

    Sources confirm to WDSU that the Jabbar, who is accused of driving, a truck through crowds on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, is dead. He was likely killed by local law enforcement.

    Law enforcement in New Orleans are working to determine if Jabbar used a long-gun rifle and was firing it into the crowd while running people over on Bourbon Street.Suspect was armed, had explosive devices: City officials confirmed that Jabbar was armed.

    According to City Council President Helena Moreno, he had explosives inside the truck at the time of the attack. Jabbar was wearing full military gear and may have had a long-range rifle. Witnesses on the scene reported hearing shots being fired into the crowd.

    Suspect truck had Texas tag: Officials have confirmed that Jabbar was driving a white truck with a Texas tag with the license plate LZ1 575.

    The trailer had a hitch with a pipe wrapped around it. The pipe had a cloth or flag draped around it.”

    https://www.wdsu.com/article/new-orleans-terror-suspect-name/63316286

    Liked by 1 person

  41. Truck was rented from an on-line rental site “Turo” – owner of truck has verified he placed it there for rental – did not provide any details. Listed for $105/day rental.

    Liked by 1 person

  46. interesting theory about the tesla

    CM-TX

    CM-TX

    January 1, 2025 2:52 pm

    “🚨New footage of the Tesla Cybertruck exploding in front of the Trump hotel
    It looks like fireworks exploded
    This was intentional
    Someone was sending a message to Trump & Elon”

    🚨New footage of the Tesla Cybertruck exploding in front of the Trump hotel

    It looks like fireworks exploded

    This was intentional

    Someone was sending a message to Trump & Elon pic.twitter.com/aTpe0oM6jg

    — DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) January 1, 2025

    Liked by 1 person

    1. ClivusMultrum

      January 1, 2025 4:09 pm

      Looks like Elon’s on the case.

      Shouldn’t the FBI at least be making believe it’s investigating this by now ❓🤔

      The whole Tesla senior team is investigating this matter right now.

      Will post more information as soon as we learn anything.

      We’ve never seen anything like this. https://t.co/MpmICGvLXf

      — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 1, 2025

      Like

  50. EXCERPT @ RedState: “…..The assailant was born and raised in Texas. He also served in the U.S. Army. That makes it likely that the border crossing at Eagle Pass was unrelated to the attack. It wouldn’t be unusual for a rental vehicle from Houston to go to Mexico and back. 

    As to the weapons used, Shamsud Din Jabbar carried a Glock handgun and a .308 rifle. The rifle had been reported stolen in New Jersey.”

    Liked by 1 person

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