Conditions Governing Access
Conditions Governing Use
Preferred Citation
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Biographical / Historical
Scope and Contents
Arrangement
Processing Information
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: William J. Canby papers
Identifier/Call Number: mssHM 41760 (1-39)
Physical Description:
2.5 Linear Feet
(2 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1758-1975
Date (bulk): 1905-1959
Abstract: This collection contains papers related
to the speech of William J. Canby(1825-1890), the grandson of seamstress Betsy Ross (1752-1836), before
the Pennsylvania Historical Society in 1870, which was the first time that Canby publicly
shared his family's tradition that Ross had made the first United States American flag.
There is also correspondence relating to George Canby and his research, and genealogical
data on Canby, Ross, and Claypoole families.
Language of Material: English.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
the Huntington Library for more information.
Conditions Governing Use
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from
or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The
responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining
necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item]. William J. Canby papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino,
California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Marion Balderston, 1974-1975.
Biographical / Historical
William Jackson Canby (1825-1890), grandson of the seamstress Betsy Ross, read a paper in
March, 1870 in the Pennsylvania Historical Society relating for the first time in public his
family's tradition that Betsy Ross (Elizabeth Claypoole) made the first U.S. American flag.
His theory was criticized for the lack of corroborative evidence. Upon Canby's death, his
brother George continued research on the story, and his findings were published by Lloyd
Balderston in
The evolution of the American flag / from materials collected by the
late George Canby
by Lloyd Balderston (Philadelphia : Ferris & Leach,
1909).
Scope and Contents
Correspondence, manuscripts, and documents relating to William J. Canby's speech in the
Pennsylvania Historical Society, including a copy of the presentation and sworn affidavits
from Margaret Boggs, Rachel Fletcher, Sophia B. Hildebrandt; Susan Satterthwaite Newport,
Susanna McCord Turner and Margared McCord Smith; William J. Canby's "My own recollections of
Grandmother Elizabeth Claypoole," and the pencil notes to his mother and aunts.
George Canby and his research are represented by his correspondence with his brother, John
Quincy Adams, secretary of the American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial Association,
London firm B.F. Stevens and Brown, and other persons. There are also a manuscript of his
"Evolution of the American Flag" and correspondence of Lloyd Balderston, John L. Balderston,
and Marion Balderston regarding the Betsy Ross story and the debates over its
authenticity.
The collection also includes genealogical and historical data relating to Ross, Canby, and
Claypoole families, including the daybook of Isaiah Canby covering 1797-1802.
The ephemera include pamphlets, newspaper clippings, postcards and photographs.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Processing Information
Processed by Olga Tsapina in 2001.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Flags -- United States -- History
Pennsylvania -- Genealogy.
United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783.
Letters (correspondence) -- United States.
Affidavits -- United States.
Genealogies -- United States.
Family papers -- United States.
Journals (accounts) -- United States.
Histories -- United States
Canby, William J.
Canby, George,
1829-1907
Ross, Betsy, 1752-1836
Canby, George, 1829-1907
Canby, Isaiah, active 1797-1802