The Treason of Betsy Ross: A Woman of the Revolution Novel

by Wendy Long Stanley

The story behind the legend...

Long before Betsy Ross became a national icon for making the first US flag, she was a quiet Quaker girl swept up against her will by events leading to the American Revolution.

Philadelphia, 1770. Eighteen-year-old Betsy Griscom falls in love with a man her parents can’t accept—non-Quaker John Ross, whose family has strong ties to powerful colonial government offices. Despite Betsy’s best intentions to stay within the safety of her Quaker world, Betsy marries John and dreams of an untroubled life with him and their future children.

Betsy’s hopes are dashed when the colonies begin to openly and violently rebel against the British crown. Taught to be peace-loving and non-violent, Betsy watches helplessly as her husband becomes a militiaman and joins the resistance movement, taking them closer and closer towards chaos and revolutionary war.

When shots ring out at Lexington and Concord, Betsy realizes she can no longer be neutral. She finds herself fully entrenched in the turmoil of America’s first civil war, inching closer to treason.

Genres: Historical Fiction

334 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 8, 2023

About the author

Wendy Long Stanley is an author, historian, and lover of travel and exploring beautiful ancient places. She has written two historical fiction novels based on real women in the American Revolution, and is currently at work on a third.

Wendy was born in the UK, raised in Canada, and has lived outside Philadelphia in the United States since 2008.

Prior to writing fiction, Wendy worked in corporate communications for many years. She holds a B.A. in English Literature and a Master's Degree in Public History.

Reviews

[Grace Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t really read historical fiction before (unless it was for school in which case i’ve forgotten) so this book was a good change of scenery! It definitely sucked me in and was a very interesting read in today’s day and age…lots of reflections from the American revolution to what’s happening today, and for that I’d say it’s absolutely worth reading right now.

[Lars · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another stunning novel of Revolutionary women!

After bringing to life a woman who had been lost to obscurity in The Power to Deny, Wendy Long Stanley has now turned her skilled hand to rescuing a better known woman’s rich and amazing life from its own obscurity.

Betsy Ross deserves the loving and skilled treatment that Stanley has brought her, and it was a pleasure to see Philadelphia through the eyes of this surprising and sympathetic heroine of the cause of American independence.

I cannot wait to see where Stanley’s attention turns next!

[Mary-Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this, and loved being swept into the early action along with Betsy, who is both ordinary and extraordinary. The characters and the details of their small everyday actions feel like people you know. It's a relevant story for this time too because you know it's very bad when your leaders start attacking their own people.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank You Wendy for bringing Betsy Ross back to life. After following your vivacious, energetic, and knowledgeable tour of Philadelphia two weeks ago, I had to follow up with your book of Betsy Ross. I felt as if I were there with Betsy and her family, and her struggles with the emotions of a starting conflict. Thank You for sharing little known facts of an important woman during the Revolutionary War.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a teen Betsy Griscom follows her sister to the sewing shop where she spent her days. Without many options open to girls, and quite a talent with the needle, Betsy weaves her way to a position in the shop as well. The younger siblings at home keep her Quaker parents busy and they barely notice when Betsy brings home John Ross, a handsome young man she works beside. At first admitting they are only friends, Betsy fails to reveal John’s non-Quaker rebellious side and family ties to the Sons of Liberty. As violence in 1770 Philadelphia trickles down, Betsy can longer ignore the dangers of political unrest and what it means to be married to a militia man. She cannot no longer abide to the Quaker vow of nonviolence when their lives and that of their future children are at stake. Secretly helping John in any way she can Betsy is drawn closer and closer to the upheaval of this new American society and the future of an independent America. Fascinating historical detail of Philadelphia and the looming Revolutionary War, these turbulent times had many unsung heroes. Reflecting on what it meant to be patriot, the well known Betsy Ross was a brave feminist way ahead of her time. I really enjoyed this unique story and would love to read more by this author.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a total History geek and love the American Revolution most of all. I read as many books as I can on this subject to the point I feel like if I went back in time I would truly know these people that made our great country almost like I know my own neighborhood. I have not came across many books that include Betsy Ross, and I didn’t know her story.
This book was amazing, it made me feel like I was Betsy’s friend and going through this journey with her. The author created a captivating and inspiring story that makes me want to further investigate and learn of Betsy. If you love history and want to read a coming of age type story this is it. I absolutely loved it.

[Barbara Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is fast-paced, absorbing, and suspenseful! The historical detail is fascinating - it's very well researched. The reader can learn a lot about revolutionary-era Philadelphia while enjoying a fun read at the same time. There are some dark notes of tragedy and betrayal, but these are accompanied by hope and the promise of forgiveness.

[Linda Tourdot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction set in 1700’s Philadelphia. Easy light reading using the basic real life facts with lots of fictional story added. Since we really don’t know the day to day Life of Betsy Ross, the author was able to embellish on her imagination of what her daily life between the historical dates was like. It’s a sweet romance based on the actual events leading up to the Revolutionary War.

[Kathie O · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this look at Betsy Ross and the part she played in the fight for the independence of our country against the British. She’s another important woman from our history who should not be forgotten.

[Raymond Long]

Outstanding! What a great story, so real, so vivid felt like I was actually there . . .

[Leatine Fasano · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Flag

History has a way of repeating itself, true to your Country and beliefs are a choice for each of us. One God indivisible.

[Phyllis Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opened up a whole new subject to read on...the revolutionary war. Loved the story and the historical accuracy that Ms. Stanley puts into her words.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure how much is non-fiction in this book.

[Carla Loughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever loved a book so much you couldn’t wait to finish, but simultaneously didn’t want it to end? That was this book for me. Author Wendy Long Stanley took the outline of Betsy Ross’s early life and colored it in with people, places, and events, both real and imagined, to create an engaging storyline set against the dawning of the American Revolution. The reader will travel through the well-known streets of historic Philadelphia, down some of its seedier alleyways, into taverns, workrooms, residences, and houses of worship as Stanley paints a picture of Betsy’s environment with her evocative prose. More of a refresher course in the history most Americans were taught in grade school than an in-depth analysis, Stanley focuses on the human side of the Revolution and its effects on people and relationships, striking just the right balance between educational and fun to read. The reactions of Betsy’s Quaker family, her militia-member husband, Loyalist friends, and the church clergy to the events which led to revolt create tension as Betsy tries to navigate these turbulent times and figure out her place in them. Readers might also pause to reflect and make comparisons with our own times, what it means to be a Patriot, and how history is written by the winners. Alternating between charming and gritty, big historical events and intimate personal stories, this second historical fiction by Stanley has left me eagerly anticipating her third.