Born January 1, 1972, Betsy Ross was born Elizabeth Griscom in Philadelphia to Samuel and Rebecca, their eighth out of 17 children. She went to a Quaker public school. After her schooling was complete, her father apprenticed Betsey to a local upholsterer. In colonial times, upholsters did more than make sofas, they were the primary sewers of their community, including the sewing of flags. While working here, Betsey fell in love with John Ross, another apprentice who was the son of an Episcopal assistant rector at Christ Church.

Quakers frowned upon interdenominational marriages. One's life would be erased, banished from the community. In November 1773, Betsy eloped with John Ross in Delaware at the age of 21. Her wedding caused a split with her family, a split that couldn't be resolved.  Shortly after their wedding, the couple opened their own upholstery business. 

Since Betsy was cast out of her Quaker community, she began attending Mass at Christ Church, the same church George Washington sometimes attended.

In 1776 during the American Revolution, Tom Paine wrote Common Sense (first published anonymously). Essentially, Common Sense argues that best course of action for America is independence from Britian. The reaction to the pamphlet was split. Some felt the need for revolution while others still felt ties with British rule.

John Ross joined the Pennsylvania militia in January of 1776.  John was guarding an ammunition cache when he was mortally wounded in an explosion. Betsy cared for him, but his injuries were too severe and he died days later and was buried in Christ Chruch cemetary.

In May of 1776, talks of the American flag began. Betsy met with three members of a secret committee from the Continental Congress: George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross. During this meeting, they asked her to sew the first flag. According to Betsey, Gen. George Washington showed Betsy a rough design of the flag that had a six pointed star. Betsy showed the men how to cut a five pointed star. Seeing her ability with scissors, the men fully entrusted Betsy with task of sewing the first American flag.

Betsy finished the flag in either late May or early June of 1776. In July 1776, the Declaration if Independence was read aloud at Independence Hall for the first time. Despite mass celebrations, the United States suffered greatly before finally severing ties with Britain.

Betsy married her second husband in 1777, sea captain Joseph Ashburn. She joined the Fighting Quakers, Quakers who supported the war effort. During the War, the British appropriated Betsy's house to lodge soldiers. Despite this hardship, Betsy continued to run her upholstery business. In June of 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the national flag hoping to promote pride and unity of the United States.

With Joseph, Betsy birthed two children (Zillah, died at birth, and Elizabeth). Out at sea en route to the West Indies to procure supplies for the war effort, Joseph Ashburn was captured by the British and sent to prison in England, where he died in March of 1782.

Betsy heard of her husband's death after the war from another sailor and old friend, John Claypoole, who was imprisoned at the same prison where her husband died. Betsy then married this longtime friend in 1783 at Christ Church. She convinced him to abandon the life of the sea. At first he worked with Betsy in the upholstery business before working at the U.S. Customs House in Philadelphia. Together they had five children, Clarissa Sidney, Susannah, Rachel, Jane, and Harriet. Harriet died at nine months old.

Betsy continued working in the upholstery business. She made flags for the United States of America well into the 1800s. In 1817, Claypoole died and Betsy moved in with her eldest daughter Susannah. At the age of 84, Betsy Ross died in Philadelphia on January 30, 1836.

It's disputed whether or not the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia, PA is the exact location of where Betsy lived. It's known that Betsy lived between 2nd and 3rd streets on the north side of Arch Street. It isn't definitely established, but evidence suggests that Betsy Ross lived in the house which is now 239 Arch Street or at 241 Arch Street, what is now the garden of the Betsy Ross House.

Betsy 'lived' in this house from 1773 to 1786. The house contains 2 1/2 floors and nine rooms. It is here that Betsy and John Ross ran their upholstery business. Several of her surviving family members have said that this is where Betsy sewed the first American flag.