Betsy Ross

Betsy Ross is a surviving 1917 American silent historical film starring Alice Brady and produced and distributed by her father William A. Brady. Plot As described in a film magazine, Betsy Griscome (Brady), against the wishes of her Quaker parents, keeps a tryst with a British officer, Clarence Vernon (Mayo), who promises to marry her upon his return. Clarissa (Cook), her sister, falls in love and marries Joseph Ashburn (Bowers), a trader. Suspecting Vernon of duplicity, Joseph and Vernon fight a duel and Vernon is struck down. A year later Betsy marries John Ross (Kennard), and upon his death she operates a little shop for a living. Here she shields her sister, who was driven from home when she could not produce her marriage certificate. Betsy is commissioned by General Washington (MacQuarrie) to make the first American flag and later is accused of harboring a spy - in reality, her sister's husband. The film ends happily when all relations are explained. Cast Alice Brady as Betsy Ross John Bowers as Joseph Ashburn Lillian Cook as Carissa Griscom Victor Kennard as John Ross Eugenie Woodward as Mrs. Ashburn Kate Lester as Mrs. Vernon Frank Mayo as Clarence Vernon George MacQuarrie as George Washington Justine Cutting as Mrs. Griscom Robert Forsyth as Samuel Griscom Nellie Fillmore as Mrs. Bass Richard Clarke as Lemuel Ketch