Josiah Franklin (1656 - 1745)

Born 28 Dec 1656 in Ecton, Northamptonshire, England

Ancestors

Husband of Anne (Child) Franklin — married about 1677 in Ecton, Northamptonshire, England

Husband of Abiah Lee (Folger) Franklin — married 25 Nov 1689 in Boston, Suffolk, Province of Massachusetts Bay

Descendants

Died 16 Jan 1745 at age 88 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts Bay Colony

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Biography

Birth

Josiah Franklin was born 28 Dec 1656 in Ecton, Northamptonshire, England to Thomas and JaneFranklin.^[1][2]

Family

Josiah was first married to Anne Child in 1677, who bore seven children. Elizabeth, Samuel, and Hannah were born in England; Josiah Jr., Ann, Joseph I, and Joseph II, born in Boston. Anne died from childbirth complications in 1689 after giving birth to Joseph II.

Josiah arrived in Boston from Banbury, Oxfordshire in about 1682,^[3][4][5] hoping to be able to be able "to exercise their religion with freedom.^[2] Josiah learned the trade of dyer in England, but when he arrived in New England, there was so little need for dyers that he gave it up^[2] and subsequently he made his living as a candle and soap maker, supporting his family on a very modest income.^{[2] [6]}

Josiah married, second, Abiah Folger (daughter of Peter Folger) ^[3] in November of 1689. Josiah and Abiah were the parents of ten children; four daughters and six sons, one of whom was Benjamin Franklin. ^[3]

Josiah, the man

"He had an excellent constitution, was of a middle stature, well set, and very strong." He drew, played the violin and sang with an agreeable voice. He had some mechanical knowledge, and could work with the tools of other trades. He had "sound understanding" and "solid judgement." He was frequently visited by leading men of public affairs and of the church, and by private individuals, all "who showed a great respect for his judgment and advice."^[2]

Death and Burial

Josiah Franklin^[3] died on January 16, 1745 at age 87^[3] and was buried with his wife in Granary Burying Ground, Boston, Massachusetts.

His monument placard reads simply Born: 1655 Died:1744 Aged: 89^[7]

Epitaph:

Josiah Franklin and Abiah his wife lie here interred. They lived lovingly together in wedlock fifty-five years. Without any estate, or any gainful employment, by constant labor and industry, with God's blessing, they maintained a large family comfortably, and brought up thirteen children and seven grandchildren reputably. From this instance reader, be encouraged to diligence in thy calling and distrust not Providence. He was a pious and prudent man; she, a discreet and virtuous woman. Their youngest son, in filial regard to their memory places this stone.^[8]

Boston Marriages

1689: Josiah Franklin & Abiah Foulger were married by the Rev. Samuel Willard Nov. 25. (p.186)

Boston Births/Baptisms

1685: Josiah of Josiah & Ann Franklin born Aug. 23. (p. 165)

1686: Ann of Josiah & Anne Franklin born Jan. 5. (p. 169)

1687: Joseph of Josiah & Ann Franklin born Jan. 5. (p. 174)

1689: Joseph of Josiah & Anne Franklin born June 30. (p. 184)

1690: John of Josiah & Abia Franklin born Dec. 7. (p. 189)

1692: Peter of Josiah and Abia Franklin born Nov. 22. (p. 201)

1694: Mary of Josias and Abiah Franklin born Sept. 26. (p. 214)

1696: James of Josiah and Abiah Franklin born Feb. 4. (p. 226)

1699: Sara of Josiah and Abiah Frankling born July 9. (p. 247)^[9]

1701: Ebenezer son of Josiah Frankling and Abiah his wife, born Sept. 20, 1701. (p. 7)

1703: Thomas son of Josiah Frankling and Abia his wife born December 7, 1703. (p. 21)

1706: Benjamen son of Josiah Frankling and Abiah his wife born January 6, 1706. (p. 46)

1708: Lydia daughter of Josiah Frankling and Abiah his wife born August 8, 1708. (p. 55)

1712: Jane daughter of Josiah Franklin and Abiah his wife born March 27, 171. (p. 82)^[10]

Sources

1. ↑ Ecton Church Record, Northamptonshire, England.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4} Franklin, Benjamin. The Life of Benjamin Franklin; containing the Autobiography, with Notes and a Continuation. Continuation by Jaren Sparks. Boston: Tappan and Dennet, 1844. [1]
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4} Wright, E. (1997). Franklin of Philadelphia, (8th ed, pp.14-15). Cambridge, MA: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. Print.
4. ↑ Bigelow, J. (1868). Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin: Edited from his manuscript, with notes and an introduction. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. archive.org. p82.
5. ↑ The 1844, Sparks version of the autobiography says came in 1685.
6. ↑ Benjamin Franklin, A&E Network, 2009. Accessed June 6, 2016 at History.com.
7. ↑ Cemetery Monument.
8. ↑ Memorial Monument in Granary Burying Ground, Boston, MA as pictured on findagrave.com.
9. ↑ Appleton, William S. City Document 130. Boston Births, Baptisms, Marriages and Deaths 1630-1699, Registry Dept. City of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, Rockwell & Churchill Printers, 1883
10. ↑ City Document 43. A Report of the Record Commissioners of the City of Boston containing Boston Births From AD 1700 to AD 1800, Rockwell and Churchill Printers, Boston, Massachusetts, 1894

See also:

• Roberts, Oliver Ayer. History of the Military Company of the Massachusetts, Now Called the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts, Volume 1. Page 426.
• The Father of Dr. Franklin, The New England Historical & Genealogical Register (NEHGS, Boston, Mass.,1850) Vol. 4, Page 188.
• Wikipedia: Josiah_Franklin