FC 46 Betsy Ross with Marla Miller
Here are some items that were mentioned during the 4 July 2013 Fieldstone Common interview with Marla Miller about her book Betsy Ross and the Making of America.
Betsy Ross and the Making of America, published by St. Martin’s Press, is available for purchase from Amazon.com and other booksellers.
You can learn more about Marla Miller at her website.
Marla Miller’s first book was The Needle’s Eye: Women And Work in the Age of Revolution (UMass Press, 2006). Her next book, to be published August 2013, is Rebecca Dickinson: Independence for a New England Woman.
Betsy Ross and the Making of America takes a look beyond the myth of Betsy Ross to discover the real woman behind the legend. Betsy Ross was a Quaker from Philadelphia. She was born Elizabeth Griscom, daughter of Samuel Griscom and Rebecca James. Her immigrant ancestor Andrew Griscom arrive in the colonies in 1680.
Betsy was married first to John Ross with whom she had no children. She then married Joseph Ashburn. They had two daughters but one of which died as an infant. Her third marriage to John Claypoole was the longest lasting until his death in 1817. They had many daughters together. Betsy died January 30, 1836.
There are few extant records specifically about Betsy Ross, though her account books should exist. Perhaps they exist today in some attic in the midwest? If you’re a descendant of Betsy Ross or you have materials with the name Elizabeth Claypoole or Betsy Claypoole written on them please contact me or contact Marla Miller directly. Marla would be very interested in seeing those items!
St. Martin’s Press, the publisher of Betsy Ross and the Making of America, donated two copies of the book which were provided as giveaways during the live show to listeners in Kentucky and Massachusetts. A big thank you to the St. Martin’s Press for their generosity!
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