William J. Canby Papers: Finding Aid mssHM 41760 (1-39)

Finding aid prepared by Olga Tsapina, 2001.
The Huntington Library
2001
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org

Note

Finding aid last updated on January 4, 2022, by Maggie Hughes.


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

Box 1

A-H

Box 1, Folder 1

Adams, John Quincy Letters to George Canby. 1905-1906

Physical Description: 3 Items

Scope and Contents

John Quincy Adams: secretary of the American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial Association (Philadlephia, Pa.). Re: the affairs of the House. Also included are letters addressed to George Canby from W.Y McAllister (1893), Elizabeth Moore Hallowell (2 A.L.S, 1897); George Bech (1900); Historical Society of Pennsylvania (1902), and two unsigned letters.
Box 1, Folder 2

Alreght, Mabel Letter to Mae Lawry. 1950, Feb. 16

Physical Description: 1 Items

Scope and Contents

Betsy Ross' genealogy. A.L.S.
Box 1, Folder 3

Balderston, John L. Letter to George E. Hastings. 1939, Mar. 21

Physical Description: 1 Items

Scope and Contents

John Lloyd Balderston (1889-1954), author, son of Lloyd Balderston (b. 1863) George E. Hastings: University of Arkansas. Re: evidence for Betsy Ross story. Item is a typescript letter, with a carbon copy.
Box 1, Folder 4

Balderston, Lloyd (b. 1863) Letter to the Editor of Public Ledger (Philadelphia). 1908, June 24

Physical Description: 1 Items

Scope and Contents

Lloyd Balderston: publisher of George Canby's book. William J. Canby and his speech in Philadelphia Historical Society (1870). Item is a typescript letter, including an additional carbon copy.
Box 1, Folder 5

Burnham, Smith Letters to Lloyd Balderston. 1908 - 1909

Physical Description: 3 Items

Scope and Contents

Re: George Canby and his research
Box 1, Folder 6

Canby, George The History of the Flag of the United States. ca. 1900

Physical Description: A.M.S., 81 p. (25 cm.)

Scope and Contents

The work was never completed. In 1909 Lloyd Balderston published "The evolution of the American flag / from materials collected by the late George Canby ; by Lloyd Balderston (Pnhiladelphia : Ferris & Leach, 1909.
Box 1, Folder 7

Canby, George To Hubert Hall. 1902

Physical Description: 3 Items
Box 1, Folder 8

Canby, George To H.E. Laurence and Co. (firm). 1902

Physical Description: 3 Items

Scope and Contents

Getting a book from the publisher
Box 1, Folder 9

Canby, George Letters to B.F. Stevens & Brown (firm). 1902 - 1903

Physical Description: 5 Items
Box 1, Folder 10

Canby, Isaiah Day book. 1797-1802

Physical Description: A.M.S.

Scope and Contents

Expenses
Box 1, Folder 11

Canby, William J. The History of the Flag of the United States: A Paper read before the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 1870, Mar. 14

Scope and Contents

Also included: notarized affidavits of Margaret Boggs, Rachel Fletcher, Sophia B. Hildebrandt; Susan Satterthwaite Newport, Susanna Mc. Cord Turner and Margared Mc Gord Smith; William J. Canby's "My own recollections of Grandmother Elizabeth Claypoole." Copies, apparently prepared by Lloyd Balderston for publication.
Box 1, Folder 12

Canby, William J. The History of the Flag of the United States: A Paper read before the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. After 1975

Physical Description: Typescript copy; with the Foreword and Introduction
Box 1, Folder 13

Canby, William J. The History of the Flag of the United States: A Paper read before the Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Mar 14, 1870. After 1975

Physical Description: Typescript copy; with the Foreword and Introduction
Box 1, Folder 14

Canby, William J. Letters to George Canby. 1876, Nov. -- 1878, Feb

Physical Description: 3 Items

Scope and Contents

History of the American flag
Box 1, Folder 15

Claypoole, James Receipt: Thomas Wharton. 1758

Physical Description: 1 Items
Box 1, Folder 16

Hall, Hubert Postcards to George Canby. 1902

Physical Description: 3 Items

Scope and Contents

Research in the Public Record Office. With envelopes.
Box 1, Folder 17

Harris, Agnes Letter to Lloyd Balderston. 1926, June 19

Scope and Contents

Copyright of "The evolution of the American flag."
Box 1, Folder 18

Hastings, George E. Letter to Lloyd Balderston. 1926, June 19

Physical Description: 1 Items
Box 2

M-Z and ephemera

Box 2, Folder 19

McDonaugh, Roger H. Letter to Justin G. Turner. 1954, Mar. 6

Physical Description: 1 Items

Scope and Contents

Marriage bond of John and Betsy Ross. Includes enclosure.
Box 2, Folder 20

Morris, Robert The Truth about the Cowpen's Flag. 1978

Physical Description: bound ms. 22 leaves; typescript
Box 2, Folder 21

Nevins, Allan Letter to Oliver Jensen. 1959, July 3

Physical Description: 1 Items

Scope and Contents

Typescript letter of recommendation for Marjorie Balderston.
Box 2, Folder 22

Salisbury, Betty F. Letter to Marian Balderston. 1974 September 3

Box 2, Folder 23

Smith, Margaret McCord "To My Family…" [Addition to the affidavit of Margaret McCord Smith]. 1912

Physical Description: Typescript copy
Box 2, Folder 24

Stafford, Sarah Smith Letters to William J. Canby. 1873, July 24

Physical Description: 1 Items

Scope and Contents

A.L.S., 3 p.
Box 2, Folder 25

Stevens, B.F. & Brown (firm) Letters to George Canby. 1902-1903

Physical Description: 7 Items

Scope and Contents

Journal of William Digby.
Box 2, Folder 26

Turner, Justin G. Letters to Marion Balderston. 1956

Physical Description: 17 Items

Scope and Contents

Correspondence between Justin G. Turner and Marion Balderston re: Betsy and John Ross' marriage bond, and other documents pertaining to Betsy Ross. Also included letters to Marion Balderston from Roger H. McDonogh (New Jersey Historical Archives), Emma V. Duffield of Gloucester Historical Society (New Jersey); Edith C. Clapp, and others. A.L.S.
Box 2, Folder 27

Photocopies of portraits of William J. Canby, Rachel Fletcher, Clarissa J. Wilson, and Jacob Wilson.

Box 2, Folder 28

Miscellaneous copies of letters and documents re: Betsy Ross.

Physical Description: 18 Items
Box 2, Folder 29

Newspaper clippings re: to Betsy Ross.

Physical Description: 18 Items

Scope and Contents

Included is the letter to George Canby signed "your nephew Will" on the letterhead of the Astor Mining Company" forwarding a newspaper clipping.
Box 2, Folder 30

Genealogical data re: Claypool, Griscom, Ross, and Wilson families.

Scope and Contents

Included are William Canby's first pencilled notes to his mother and aunts, and notes of his interview with Margaret Boggs, and his mother Jane. The rest is typescript fragments and newspaper clippings.
Box 2, Folder 31

Ephemera.

Box 2, Folder 32

Ephemera.

Box 2, Folder 33

Ephemera.

Box 2, Folder 34

Ephemera.

Box 2, Folder 35

Newspaper clipping from the Harper's Weekly July 13, 1872.

Box 2, Folder 36

Newspaper clippings.

Box 2, Folder 37

Newspaper clippings.

Box 2, Folder 38

Ephemera (Newspaper clippings)