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, 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, 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 35
Newspaper clipping from the Harper's Weekly July 13, 1872.
Box 2, Folder 38
Ephemera (Newspaper clippings)