The grandson of Betsy Ross — a William J. Canby — made a bold claim on the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. He wrote that his grandmother made the first flag of the United States in 1776, under the direction of George Washington.
To this day, Betsy Ross is celebrated as a female entrepreneur who was also a patriot in the fight for American independence. If you’re in Philadelphia, check out her house where she made flags.
But historians have questioned Canby’s account because his dates don’t match up. How could Betsy make a flag a year before it could have existed?
Today, many historians regard it as a myth, cooked up after the Civil War.
Nothing more than a fable.
Until now.
A new book says Betsy Ross absolutely did make the first American flag, but it was in 1789 and not 1776. And it had 12-stars, with one in the center, and not thirteen.
In Banner of Dawn — the new mystery and suspense novel — Betsy Ross is shown to be what history has recorded: a hardworking flag maker, entreprenuer, and patriot for liberty and independence.
Order Banner of Dawn at Amazon
She knew George Washington and Benjamin Franklin well. She made the curtains for Mount Vernon and Franklin ordered Pennsylvania state flags from her.
She absolutely made American flags. But when did she start? And why did Camby fudge the numbers?
The answer is part of a historical mystery that comes to life in Banner of Dawn, great for readers 12 years and up.
From the Amazon description:
“An old 12-star flag reveals a mind-blowing secret …
concealed for centuries …
some would kill to keep it hidden.
“When publishing executive Pepper Stillwater is assigned a book project on the American flag, she discovers George Washington’s diaries on the subject are missing. Curious, she contacts her former history professor at Brown University. He gives her an antique flag, drawing the attention of federal agents who want it back.
“With nowhere to turn, Pepper asks her ex-boyfriend Hack to help solve the mystery. Soon they uncover the shadowy group that started the American Revolution—the Sons of Liberty, which is still active and powerful.
“The flag reveals a dangerous, shocking secret hidden from the public for 200 years. Unless they act now, it will be lost forever …
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BANNER OF DAWN 