the stars in the design were six pointed, she quietly remarked, "The correct star should have five points." Washington very kindly explained to her that, while that was true, a great many stars would be needed and the more regular star of six points could be easily and rapidly made. Her answer to this could not have been more practical or more unique; quickly folding a piece of paper, with one clip of her scissors, which in the quaint fashion of the period hung ready at her side, she produced a true and perfectly symmetrical five-pointed star, to the great astonishment of her august visitors. Further consultations were held, and many of her wise suggestions in regard to the proportions of the flag were gladly accepted. In the little back parlor of the now famous "Flag House" General Washington drew a second design; but finally it was decided to leave the whole arrangement of the sample flag to Betsy's own idea, and the committee departed.

One can easily imagine that such sudden good fortune would almost overwhelm the patient, struggling widow, and doubts arise as to her ability to perform such a great undertaking.

Her uncle, surmising this, returned alone as soon as possible, and placing in her hand a note of large denomination, advised her to buy at once all the bunting she could find in the city of Philadelphia. The encouraging words of her uncle and the ample means furnished dispelled her momentary gloom, and she began at once her difficult but pleasant task.

Upon the completion of the flag it was presented to Congress. Anxiously did Betsy await the result, and gladly did she receive the information that it had been accepted as the national standard of the young republic, and she was authorized to make a large order for Congress. From that time she and her assistants found few idle moments. Thus was the first flag of this great land of ours made by Betsy Ross, and publicly adopted by Congress June 14, 1777. The gallant Paul Jones is said to have been the first one to unfurl the Stars and Stripes. He was appointed on the Ranger the day the flag was adopted, and the new emblem was flying from the mast head of his ship before the ink on his commission was fairly dry.

In the window of the little Arch street house is a card bearing

this inscription: "The first U. S. Flag, combining the thirteen stars and thirteen stripes, was made by Mrs. John Ross in this house, 1776," so all who read may know the birthplace of our country's flag. It is most gratifying to all true patriots that efforts are now being made by the "Betsy Ross American Flag Fund Society" to raise means to purchase this historic spot, second only to Independence Hall in importance, as a monument to American patriotism and a relic of revolutionary times. It was the second house built in Philadelphia, and the bricks in its sturdy walls came over with William Penn in the good ship Welcome.

It is to be regretted that nothing is known of the fate of "our first flag." Traditions are many, but authentic records none; but when we reflect upon the disordered state of affairs and the diversity of feeling existing, it is not strange that the historical importance of what seemed but passing interesting events, or the outgrowth of circumstances, was unheeded or at least unrecorded.

On June 15, 1777, at Old Swedes church, Philadelphia, Betsy Griscom Ross was married to Captain Joseph Ashburn, who was engaged in the merchant marine service. His duties. kept him most of his time at sea, while his thrifty little wife continued her business of flag-making in the old home on Arch street. Here two children came to brighten her lonely life. Zilla, born September 15, 1779, died while quite young; Eliza, born February 25, 1721, in course of time married Captain Isaac Silliman, but was soon left a widow by war's stern decree. She assisted her mother in business until her death in 1833.

Captain Ashburn and all on board his vessel were taken prisoners in 1781. All who refused to enter the British service were carried to Plymouth, England, and thrown into "Old Mill Prison," a place most densely crowded and loathsome beyond description. Among the miserable inmates Captain Ashburn found an old friend, who had been a frequent and most welcome visitor in his far-off Philadelphia home. Even the foul prison seemed brighter as he and John Claypoole talked of the young wife and other friends across the sea, and earnestly prayed their captivity might be of short duration.

The news of the surrender of Cornwallis was conveyed to the languishing prisoners by means of a newspaper baked into a loaf of bread by a kind and sympathizing baker. The poor men were wild with glee, tearing their ragged coats, flinging their rimless hats into the air, shouting and yelling, while the astonished keepers who knew not the cause thought the Yankees had all become suddenly insane.

Captain Ashburn could not stand the strain of prison life and fell an easy victim to a prevailing contagion, dying March 3, 1782, after a brief illness. His friend, John Claypoole, nursed him faithfully and did his best under such distressing conditions to smooth his pathway to the tomb. To him were confided the farewell messages to the beloved wife and darling babe so far away.

Upon his release and return to Philadelphia John Claypoole hastened to perform the sad task of carrying to the stricken widow the first tidings of her husband's death, and his last fond adieus.

It is aid that before Betsy Ross became Betsy Ashburn, John Claypoole had formed a strong attachment for her. Under such conditions, aided by the tender sympathy such sad circumstances would call forth, it is natural that this feeling would be easily renewed, and in course of time their union would follow.

John Claypoole and Elizabeth Griscom Ross Ashburn were married in Christ church, May 8, 1783. Her husband received an appointment in the Custom House, and Betsy continued to make flags. For three years they lived in the Arch street house, then moved to Second street above Dock. A few years later they again moved to a larger house on Front street, where their family of daughters was raised.

It seems like a strange inconsistency that one should be punished for doing a service to one's country. The Friends considered making a national flag a violation of their peace principles, and therefore the meeting disowned Betsy. She and her husband, who was a lieutenant in Colonel Eyre's regiment, joined a society formed about this time, who favored the war, known as the "Free Quakers," or as they were more frequently called, "Fighting Quakers."

Her gentle, amiable disposition followed her through life, and it is most gratifying to know that she lived to see the flag for which she lost her birthright honored and respected all over the world. She outlived all the members of the Free Quaker Society.

John Claypoole was never strong; the hardship of army life and poor prison fare no doubt hastened disease. At the age of forty-five a stroke of paralysis left him a cripple invalid for life. Never did the real beauty of his wife's disposition show forth as now; carefully, faithfully and cheerfully did she nurse him. through his long illness. On August 3, 1817, he died and Betsy was again a widow.

The remainder of her life was like a sweet peaceful dream. She gave up the business of flag making in 1812 to a widowed daughter, Mrs. Wilson, with whom she made her home, and who continued the business until 1857, when she moved to Iowa, thus showing that she and her immediate family were engaged in flag making for more than sixty years.

On January 30, 1836, at the age of 84 years, I month and 10 days, she quietly passed away, rich in the knowledge of work well done, full of years and good deeds.

John and Elizabeth Claypoole were buried in the Free Quaker graveyard, on the west side of Fifth street, south of what is now Locust street. In the autumn of 1857 their remains were removed by their daughter, Mrs. Clarissa Sidney Wilson, to Mt. Moriah cemetery, where a simple stone marks their resting place. Here on Decoration Day the soldiers twine the flag Betsy Ross made and loved about her tomb, and sweet flowers bloom afresh upon her grave.

Mrs. Clarissa S. Wilson died July 10, 1864. After the Free Quaker Society disbanded Betsy attended Christ church for years. The visitor can easily find the modest little pew she occupied, for patriotic hands have kindly marked it with a plate containing her name and a beautiful flag.

As Daughters of the American Revolution, it is our duty to promote patriotism, that word so dear to every true American, in every possible way. In regard to the subject of this sketch, if we cannot look upon the tiny house, the cradle of our flag, or strew the grave of her who gave it birth with flowers, we

can do something toward having "Flag Day," June 14th, properly celebrated that coming generations may not be ignorant in regard to our grand old flag, its origin, and its maker.

MARY L. DUNN.

AUTHORITY.-Genealogy of the Claypoole Family of Philadelphia, by Rebecca Irwin Graff (granddaughter of Betsy Ross); History of Free Quakers, by Charles Wetherill (Page 20); letters signed by Wm. and Geo. Canby (grandsons of Betsy Ross); My Grandmother's Personal Reminiscence of Her Friend, Betsy Ross.

Read at the meeting of Delaware County Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, held May 7, 1898.

PIONEER WOMEN OF KENTUCKY.

[By Mrs. Dudley S. Reynolds, Historian of the John Marshall Chapter, Louisville.]

It is unfortunate that most of our historians have accorded so little notice to those who presided over the homes and gave directions to the destinies of families, introducing systems of domestic culture and refinement so necessary to the foundation of civilized society, and the promotion of those patriotic purposes and noble impulses that led, eventually, to the freedom of this great nation.

Fincastle County, Virginia, afterwards Kentucky County, and now the great State of Kentucky, has been the scene of some of the most daring deeds of heroism ever performed in the interests of humanity, or for that matter the preservation of individual life. I feel that much of our present civilization had the moral element of its establishment set forth in the lives and character of the pioneer women of Kentucky.

Miss Mary Florence Taney, of Covington, Kentucky, has placed us all under everlasting obligation by the little volume entitled "Kentucky Pioneer Women," dedicated to the memory of those who are named in the text, and to their descendants. I believe every member of the Daughters of the American Revolution should possess a copy of this valuable little book, and that we should feel forever grateful to Colonel Reuben T. Durrett for his unremitting zeal in the collection of so many books and manuscripts of historic value and varied inter