Josiah Franklin | |
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| Born | 23 December 1657 Ecton, Northamptonshire, England |
| Died | 16 January 1745 (aged 87) |
| Resting place | Granary Burying Ground, Tremont Street, Boston |
| Occupations |
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| Known for | Father of Benjamin Franklin |
| Spouse(s) | Anne Child (1677–1689) Abiah Folger (1689–1744) |
| Children | 17, including James, Benjamin, and Jane |
| Parents |
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Josiah Franklin Sr. (December 23, 1657 – January 16, 1745) was an English businessman and the father of Benjamin Franklin. Born in the village of Ecton in Northamptonshire, England, he emigrated to Massachusetts Bay in British 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 a fabric dyer in Ecton. Franklin immigrated to the American colonies in 1682. He married twice and had 17 children: ten boys and seven girls. In Boston, he was a member of the Congregational Old South Church where he served as a tithingman.[1]
- ^ Dictionary definition of "Tithing" Archived 2013-04-16 at archive.today and Dictionary definition of "Tithingman". Webster's Online Dictionary. Retrieved June 9, 2008