William J. Canby papers, 1758-1975, bulk 1905-1959

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Summary

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.
Extent:
2.5 Linear Feet (2 boxes)
Language:
English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. William J. Canby papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

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.

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).

Acquisition information:
Gift of Marion Balderston, 1974-1975.
Processing information:

Processed by Olga Tsapina in 2001.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

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.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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