Melissa Caccavale

Summer 2015

SSE6115

Integrated Thematic Unit Plan Biography Project

CHOSE
This biography project is based on Elizabeth Griscom, otherwise known as Betsy Ross.
READ A BIOGRAPHY
The books I chose for this assignment is:
Who Was Betsy Ross? by James Buckley, Jr.
Betsy Ross: Let Freedom Ring by Jane Duden
Betsy Ross: American Patriot by Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.
Other Resources:
Betsy Ross House: http://historicphiladelphia.org/betsy-ross-house/what-to-see/
Betsy Ross Homepage: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/

I would have students begin conducting this research by either going to their local library or the media center at school. I would also
help them conduct engine searches using secured websites. Students would document this research by turning in the title, name of
author, publisher, and copyright date of the books. They would have to provide the web address of the Internet sites they are using and
it must be from a credible source and possibly having a URL ending in edu, gov or org.
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DIARY
1764
Today I am 12 years old. I visited my sisters at Mr. Websters upholstery shop. The women were really busy and they were making
things like curtains, tablecloths, quilts, sheets and furniture covers. There was a seamstress who was having a hard time with a piece
of fabric and I was able to help her. I had spent a lot of time with great-aunt Sarah Griscom so I know how to sew.

Mr. Webster was so impressed that I was able to help out. He came to visit my mama and asked her if she wouldnt mind if I came to
work for him. I am so excited because mama said, yes. I have to finish school this week but then I start to work for Mr. Webster
immediately.

Early 1773
Our country is going through some turbulent times. There is still tension between the American colonies and England even though the
British cancelled the Stamp Act in 1776. People are growing tired of having to send more tax money to Britain.

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Fortunately, Im still working at the upholstery shop for Mr. Webster. Im very happy to go to work each day because I get to see John
Ross who also works there. He is such a wonderful man and he makes me laugh everyday. There is only one problemhe is not a
Quaker.

1774
John is doing very well and he is successful. We married on November 4, 1773 beside a large wood fireplace at an inn called Huggs
Tavern in Gloucester, New Jersey. John is a member of the Church of England and my parents did not approve of our marriage. It is
unheard of for a Quaker to marry someone outside of the community.

My parents asked me to apologize, twice, for marrying John Ross but I refused to apologize because I love him so much and want to
spend the rest of my life with him. I was forced to leave the Quakers. I am sad that my parents dont understand. I have joined the
Church of Christ on Second Street in Philadelphia and I left Mr. Websters shop to work with John.

January 21, 1776

Today I am a widow. The American Revolutionary War began in Lexington, MA on April 19, 1775. John was training everyday after
work with the minutemen because we had received word that the British were coming. We were both really scared but continued to

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work and tried to live life as normal as possible. Its unclear how it happened but John was badly injured during training and died of
his injuries. I have no family and I am alone.

Spring 1776
Since John died I was forced to close the shop but I opened a business of my own. After all, I am a skilled upholsterer from working
at Mr. Websters shop for so many years and I also witnessed my great-aunt Sarah run her business.

Work has been very steady and today Johns uncle George Ross, Robert Morris and General Washington paid me a visit. They asked
me to sew and help design the first American flag! I am so honored and excited. It will have 13 red and white stripes and 13 fivepointed stars. I will have to sew the flag secretly in my house, there are still quite a few British supporters and they will not be happy
if they see me sewing the flag.

Melissa Caccavale

Summer 2015

SSE6115

TIMELINE
1752 1836

1753 - Benjamin
Franklin and
William Hunter
are appointed as
postmasters
general for the
American
colonies.

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1754 - The French and Indian War erupts as a result of disputes over land in the Ohio River Valley. In May, George Washington leads
a small group of American colonists to victory over the French, and then builds Fort Necessity in the Ohio territory. In July, after being
attacked by numerically superior French forces, Washington surrenders the fort and retreats.
1756 - England declares war on France, as the French and Indian War in the colonies now spreads to Europe.
1758 - In July, a devastating defeat occurs for English forces at Lake George, New York, as nearly two thousand men are lost during a
frontal attack against well-entrenched French forces at Fort Ticonderoga. French losses are 377. In November, the French abandon
Fort Duquesne in the Ohio territory. Settlers then rush into the territory to establish homes. Also in 1758, the first Indian reservation in
America is founded, in New Jersey, on 3000 acres.
1759 - War erupts between Cherokee Indians and southern colonists.
1760 - The population of colonists in America reaches 1,500,000. In March, a raging fire destroys much of Boston. In September,
Quebec surrenders to the English. In October, George III becomes the new English King.
1763 - The French and Indian War, known in Europe as the Seven Year's War, ends with the Treaty of Paris. Under the treaty, France
gives England all French territory east of the Mississippi River, except New Orleans. The Spanish give up east and west Florida to the
English in return for Cuba.

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1764 The Sugar Act is passed by the British parliament. Duty on molasses from the West Indies is actually reduced but the British
make vigorous efforts to stop smuggling and collect all the duty. This causes resentment among Americans. The Currency Act is
passed by the British parliament. It bans American colonies from printing their own money, so restricting trade and causing further
resentment.

1765 The Stamp Act imposes tax on legal documents, newspapers and playing cards. This infuriates the Americans who protest and
boycott British merchants.

1766 The British repeal the Stamp Act but they pass the Declaratory Act, which states that the British parliament is sovereign over all
American colonies. This aggravates the Americans.

1767 The British impose duties on lead, glass, paint, oil and tea. The Americans are infuriated and boycott British goods.

1773 The 'Boston Tea Party'. The British East India Company sends 3 shiploads of tea to Boston. On 16 December men dressed as
Indians board the ship and dump the tea in the sea.

1775 Revolutionary War begins with Battles of Lexington and Concord.

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1776 Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence.

1777 Americans defeat the British in Princeton, New Jersey. On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress, meeting in
Philadelphia, passed the Flag Act of 1777.

1781 Battle of Yorktown, Virginia; marks the end of the Revolutionary War.

1787 U.S. Constitution is approved.

1789 French Revolution begins; George Washington elected first president.

1803 United States makes Louisiana Purchase from France.

1812 The War between Britain and America begins.

1816 - Indiana is admitted as a state.

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1817 - Mississippi is admitted as a state.

1818 - Illinois is admitted as a state.

1819 - Alabama is admitted as a state.

1820 - The population of the USA reaches 20 million.

1821 - Missouri is admitted as a state.

1821 - Spain cedes Florida to the USA.

1825 - The Erie Canal is opened.

1828 - The first railway is built in the USA.

1830 - Andrew Jackson signs the Indian Removal Bill, which forces natives east of the Mississippi River to move to Oklahoma.

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1836 - Arkansas is admitted as a state; The Texas Declaration of Independence is signed. The defenders of the Alamo are massacred.
On 21 April the Texans crush the Mexicans at the battle of San Jacinto. As a result Texas becomes independent.

*See timeline references on the next page.

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References
Buckley, J. (2014). Who Was Betsy Ross? New York: Penguins Young Readers Group.
Duden, J. (2002). Betsy Ross: Let Freedom Ring. Mankato, MN: Bridgestone Books.
Lambert, T. (2015). Timeline of American History: Colonial America. Retrieved June 16, 2014, from A World History:
http://www.localhistories.org/amertime.html
US History Timeline 1000- 1763. (2015). Retrieved June 16, 2015, from Fairfax High School:
http://www.fairfaxhs.org/apps/download/7wZHoVosushJErDVbJKCfYKR51Ve8DUtBgLNhTljE6j5D67I.pdf/U_S_
%20History%20Timeline_%201000%20-%201763.pdf

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The Boton News-Letter

Published by Authority.

From Monday June 9, to Monday June 16, 1777

On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia,

passed the Flag Act of 1777, a resolution creating an official flag for a new
nation still struggling to gain its independence from Britain. It stated, in part,
that Americas flag be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that
the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new
Constellation. And the design pretty much stayed that way for nearly two
decades.

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Betsy Ross Picture Collage

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Betsy

SSE6115

Ross
Haiku

Poem

She

was a

seamstress.
Sewed the American Flag.
Made of stripes and stars.

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Summer 2015

SSE6115

OBITUARY

BETSY ROSS
Elizabeth Griscom Ross Ashburn Claypoole
January 1, 1752 January 30, 1836
A true American icon sewed the first American flag, in 1776.
Beloved and respected by all whom had ever known her.

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Biography Bottle

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Melissa Caccavale

Summer 2015

SSE6115

Rubric

Proficient

Adequate

Minimal

Additional Comments

Biography Resources
Diary
Birth Certificate
Timeline
Biography Bottle
Newspaper Article
Picture
People Poems
Obituaries
Proficient Student shows considerable knowledge of the person chosen for the project, demonstrates understanding of the life of the
person and the time period, and frequently demonstrates insights. Supports ideas and conclusions with specific historical examples.
Very well organized, limited grammatical errors and is historically accurate.
Adequate Student demonstrates adequate information about the person. Shows some knowledge about the time period and
historical factors. Demonstrates some understanding, but evidence is limited in depth.
Minimal Student shows limited understanding of the life of the person and the role they played in history. Lacks historical and
geographical context. Contains numerous historical and grammatical errors. Does not meet requirements of the assignment.
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