Historically, Clan Ross played a significant role in the American Revolution. George Ross signed the Declaration of Independence and is one of our Founding Fathers. Betsy (Grisom) Ross, famous for making so many early American Flags was married to his nephew, John. So, she was part of Clan Ross too. Of course, numerous other Ross’s were part of the revolution and they are listed individually at the end of this page. Please let us know if there were other Ross's involved that are not listed. This article though will focus primarily on George and Betsy.
George Ross was born in 1730 to the Reverend George Aeneas Ross and his second wife Anna Catherine (Van Gezel). George Aeneas had emigrated from Balblair, a Clan Ross farm north of Tain, Scotland. George Aeneas studied in Edinburgh to become a Presbyterian minister. He soon discovered the leading men to be sour, so he switched to the Church of England. Initially, he served as a Chaplin on a War Ship, but did not appreciate the Captain. He then served as a missionary to the American Colonies and eventually settled, raising a large family with over a dozen children. Among his children was a son named George Ross, who was born near New Castle Delaware, just outside of Philadelphia.
George Ross Jr. was educated at home. He then studied law at the practice of his older brother, John Ross. He was admitted to the bar when he was only 20 years old. He opened his own law practice in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was completely loyal to the Crown serving as prosecutor until 1768. He was then elected to the Pennsylvannia Colonial Legislature and became sympathetic to the many disputes with the English Parliament. He was not a rebel by nature. Instead, his objections were well reasoned-recognizing the need for an independent nation.
The older brother, John Ross was a distinguished lawyer and would go on to become the Attorney General of the counties surrounding Philadelphia. He was a loyalist and enjoyed good jokes more than arguments. He died in 1776 and never joined the American Revolution. Another brother named Aeneas, a church minister, had a son named John. So, George Ross had both an Uncle and Nephew named John.
George had political ambitions and was active in the provincial legislature of Pennsylvania for many years. He was elected to the Continental Congress in 1774. By 1776, immediately after the war had started, he was made a Colonel in the Continental Army. He also served on a public safety committee, which acted as part of the new government during that time.
Betsy Grisom was born 1752 into a Quaker family which emphasized plain dress and strict discipline. George Ross's nephew named John Ross, was also an upholsterer, which is how he met Betsy. As John was a member of the Church of England, their marriage meant she was “read out” during a meeting. That is, she was cut off emotionally and economically from her Quaker family and church. The couple attended Christ Church in Philadelphia. It was the most grand Church building in all of the thirteen colonies. It was located within a block of their home and upholstery business. George Washington attended the same church when he was in town and also visited her upholstery shop. As a result, Betsy came to know George Washington before the Revolutionary War through her business and Church.
When the Revolutionary War broke out in 1775, John Ross joined the Pennsylvania militia and was assigned to guard munitions. While guarding an ammunition cache, he either became ill or was severely wounded. Betsy tried to nurse him back to health, but he died on January 21,1776.
In late May or early June of 1776, Betsy, now a widow, reported that her Uncle Colonel George Ross accompanied by George Washington and Robert Morris visited her upholstery shop requesting that she make an American flag. Robert Morris was the richest man in the colonies at that time, who would also go on to sign the Declaration of Independence. This incident was described in an affidavit signed by her daughter Rachel who had heard her mother repeat it multiple times.
Betsy had embroidered ruffles for Geroge Washington's shirt front and cuffs. It is thought that it was due to her skills and partly owing to his friendship and her connections that she was chosen to make the flag. It was the first Star Spangled Banner with 5-pointed stars. There were of course other upholsters throughout the colonies making similar flags at this time. Most of these arranged the 13 stars in alternating lines or used 6-pointed stars. The design that Betsy helped develop was unique for it had 5-pointed stars arranged in a circle. It is still in use and known to this day as the Betsy Ross Flag design.
On July 4th, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was ratified by the Continental Congress. It was hastily printed and distributed throughout the colonies. The first public reading occurred simultaneously at noon on July 8th at three locations; Trenton, NJ and Easton and Philadelphia Pennsylvania. In August another form was printed which was signed by 56 delegates. These included George Ross and Robert Morris as well George Read, another of her uncles.
In January 1777, Colonel George Ross became seriously ill and resigned from Congress. Feeling better the following year, he briefly served as a Judge in the Admiralty Court of Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, he passed away a few months later in July aged 49 years. He is buried in the Christ Church Cemetery in down town Philadelphia.
In June 1777, Betsy married a mariner, Captain Joseph Ashburn. While on a voyage to procure supplies for the Revolutionary cause his ship was captured by the Royal Navy. He was charged with treason and imprisoned for years in England. During this time, his first daughter died at the age of nine months and his second daughter Eliza was born although she did not survive to adulthood.
While in prison, Joseph met another imprisoned mariner named John Claypoole. Joseph became ill and eventually died in March 1782 while still in prison. After John Claypoole was released from prison, he informed Betsy of the circumstances of Joesph’s passing. Betsy and John eventually married and had 4 daughters who survived to adulthood. Betsy continued in the upholstery business with her daughters for over 50 years producing numerous early American Flags. She passed away in 1836.
Surprisingly, there is some controversy over her involvement with the first star spangled banner. Some is rather thin, but one good point is that she wasn’t the only person to make a star-spangled banner in that time period. A weaker objection is that the John Hopkins design of the great seal of the United States, resembles Betsy’s design. However, his design was made a year after a similar studded flag appeared in the 1779 Charles Peale painting of Washington at 1777 battle of Princeton. John Hopkins never claimed to design a star-spangled banner flag.
Betsy’s claim to be well acquainted with George Washington is indirectly confirmed by Martha Washington’s granddaughter Eleanor Peeke Custis Lewis. She inherited a large portion of Mount Vernon, which is where she lived. When visiting Philadelphia in 1820, she noted in a list of people to see, that: “Mrs. Claypoole I do not wish omitted.”
George Ross; Founding Father Youtube Video:
Other Clan Ross members involved with Revolutionary War:
Lt. Col. James Ross (1753-1808) 8th Pennsylvania Regiment.
Sgt. David Ross (1733–1796): Served in the 1st and 2nd New Jersey Regiments and the Essex County Militia.
Pvt. John Ross (c. 1730–1812): Served as a ranger in the Westmoreland County Militia in Pennsylvania.
Capt. William Ross (1757–1809): Served in Massachusetts.
John Ross (British Army Officer 1744-1809): 34th Regiment of Foot, French & Indian and Revolutionary War. Commanded Loyalist forces in the New York Mohawk Valley, notably in 1781. Instrumental in the founding of Kingston, Ontario.
Corporal Benjamin Ross (1746-1823) Beaufort Country Regiment, North Carolina Militia
Elijah Ross (1754-1817) Beaufort County Regiment, North Carolina Militia
Major Francis Ross (1743-1779) New Acquisition District Regiment, South Carolina Militia
Martin Ross (1762-1828) Likely served with North Carolina Militia in 1780 or 1781 at which time Cornwallis was campaigning.
John Ross (Merchant): A Scottish-born merchant in Philadelphia who supported the American cause.
A History of our Clan Ross organizations in the United States.
Chief David Ross of Ross & Balnagowan
And His Roll in Founding Clan Ross America
As early as the 1960's, families with Ross ancestry sought to participate in Highland festivals in many corners of the United States. The effort climaxed with the invitation for the Clan Ross Chief, David Ross of Ross & Balnagowan to attend the 1976 Grandfather Mountain Games in North Carolina. At the following link are the recollections of Chief David with highlights of the activities that brought about the founding of our Clan Ross organization in America.
The Clan Ross Asssociation of the United States was founded in 1976. The Annual General Meetings were initially held at the Grandfather Mountain games until 2001. Names from that era include: Bob & Betty Ross, Hardin & Tabitha Ross, Matt & Nancy Ross, Gloria & Sandy Ross, Marilyn & Howard Ross. During the 79's and 80's, membership grew to 500. Other names from that era include: Paul & Jane Peak, Ruth Odisio, Barbara Ross Martin.
Along the way, supporting Scottish causes became a goal. People in the Association wanted to support historic, Ross-associated places in Scotland, reprint significant Ross books, fund scholarships, etc. This could best be done by a 501c3 - a fully tax-exempt organization. So a complementary organization, Clan Ross Foundation, was established. Contributions from members allowed the start of wonderful projects, in Scotland & the US:
- support and establishment of a Ross Centre in Tain at the Tain Museum
- support of Tarbat Discovery Center
- and Croick Church, Fearn Abbey, and Nigg Old Church.
- assist purchase of historically significant Ross silver (which is now in the Tain Museum)
- production of Ross tartan in cotton,
- contribution toward the Trail of Tears/ John Ross marker in St. Louis.
- reprinting 3 important out of print books on Ross – the Earls of Ross, The Great Clan Ross, & The Clan Ross.
By 2010 there was a desire to have all the activities of Clan Ross under one roof – the social and the philanthropic combined, and with a fully tax exempt status. Lots of discussion, and a few years, brought the Association and Foundation together - and on Oct 10, 2013, Clan Ross America was born as a 501c3.
