Josiah Franklin | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1657-12-23)23 December 1657 Ecton, Northamptonshire, England |
| Died | 16 January 1745(1745-01-16) (aged 87) |
| Resting place | Granary Burying Ground,Tremont Street,Boston |
| Occupations |
|
| Known for | Father ofBenjamin Franklin |
| Spouse(s) | Anne Child (1677–1689) Abiah Folger (1689–1744) |
| Children | 17, includingJames,Benjamin, andJane |
| Parents |
|
Josiah Franklin Sr. (23 December 1657 – 16 January 1745) was an English businessman and the father ofBenjamin Franklin. Born in the village ofEcton inNorthamptonshire, England, he emigrated toMassachusetts Bay inBritish America. He was the ninth child of blacksmith Thomas Franklin (1598–1682), and his first wife, Jane White (1617–1662).
Thomas was the son of Henry Franckline (1573–1631) and Agnes Joanes (1574–1646). Thomas Franklin remarried and had more children. Josiah Franklin worked as afabric dyer in Ecton. Franklin immigrated to theAmerican colonies in 1682. He married twice and had 17 children: ten boys and seven girls. InBoston, he was a member of theCongregationalOld South Church where he served as atithingman.[1]
Josiah Franklin married his first wife, Anne Child (1655–1689), in 1677 and they had seven children:[2] Elizabeth (1678–1759), Samuel (1681–1720), Hannah (1683–1723), Josiah Jr. (1685–1715), Anne (1687–1729), Joseph (1688–1688), Joseph II (1689–1689). Anne died from complications giving birth to Joseph II. Upon moving toBoston, Josiah took up the trade oftallowchandler and soap boiler because the trade he was born to was not in demand inNew England.[citation needed]
In November 1689, Josiah Franklin married his second wife,Abiah Folger (1667–1752), in the Old South Church. Abiah ofNantucket, Massachusetts, was the daughter ofPeter andMaryMorrill Foulger.[3] Peter Foulger was a schoolmaster, a miller and a surveyor.[citation needed]
With Josiah, Abiah bore 10 children: John (1690–1756), Peter (1692–1766), Mary (1694–1730),James (1697–1735), Sarah (1699–1731), Ebenezer (1701–1702), Thomas (1703–1706),Benjamin (1706–1790), Lydia (1708–1758), andJane (1712–1794).[citation needed]
Josiah insisted that each of his sons must learn a trade. He had great dreams of Benjamin becoming a minister,[2] but Josiah could only afford to send his son to school for two years. As his young Benjamin loved to read, Josiah apprenticed him to his brother James, who was a printer. Later,Benjamin Franklin borrowed books from his friends and taught himselfarithmetic,grammar, andphilosophy. Benjamin had a very strong relationship with his father, who had a great influence on Benjamin.[2]
 | This sectiondoes notcite anysources. Please helpimprove this section byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged andremoved.(June 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Josiah Franklin had eight siblings, most of whom died in infancy and childhood:
