Relative of Betsy Ross, Posted on May 18, 2026

Image: tombstone of Ann Ross White, (1734-1819), Hawfields Presbyterian Church graveyard, Mebane, NC, the blue box surrounds the phrase, “Relative of Betsy Ross”

Have you ever watched any of those television shows where people find out about their ancestors? Sometimes the ancestor disappeared and the quest is to find them. Other times they have heard family lore that they are related to someone famous or even infamous!

Well, we have just such a mystery here in Alamance County. One of the tombstones in the graveyard of Hawfields Presbyterian Church reveals a surprising detail. On the tombstone of Ann Ross White (1734-1819) is inscribed: “Relative of Betsy Ross.”

What is interesting here is that Ann died in 1819, long before Betsy Ross became famous, although they were alive at the same time. It was not until 1870 that one of Betsy’s grandsons started promoting her significance.

So, what did Ann Ross White know that we don’t?

As it turns out, one of Ann’s daughters, Susan White, married Samuel Mebane. Samuel was either the nephew or cousin of Alexander Mebane, Jr. 

In 1795, Alexander Mebane, Jr., then a widower, married Ann Claypoole. Ann was related to John Claypoole, who married Elizabeth Griscom Ross Ashburn, or Betsy Ross as we know her today.

Alexander died a few months after he married Ann Claypoole in Philadelphia but not before updating his will. His will provides for Ann and her return to Philadelphia after his death. If you want to learn more about the Claypooles of Philadelphia, consult Genealogy of the Claypoole Family of Philadelphia, 1588-1893, by Betsy’s granddaughter, Rebecca Irwin Graff.