Assembled from several repositories between 1975-1978, this collection of documents, publications, letters, historical and genealogical data pertains to Betsy Ross, the American flag, and the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia.

These papers contain seven letters to his wife (1808-1833), a fragment of autobiography on his painting and studies, a notebook containing copies of correspondence about his portrait of Washington, John Godman's Ode suggested by Rembrandt Peale's National Portrait of Washington (1824), and a commonplace book containing kitchen and medicinal recipes.

These papers include two pages by Rubens Peale concerning landscapes, a notebook by Rembrandt Peale relating to the portrait of Washington, and a commonplace and recipe book, with sketches of gas lights.

These papers include diaries (1777-1782), expense books (1794-1804), notebooks, a commonplace book, drafts of essays, excerpts from minutes of Friends' Monthly Meeting, Tortola (1741-1761), newspaper clippings, sketches, and correspondence. Also included are letters and papers of Mrs. Thornton.