The Franklin Family
Benjamin Franklin is one of the most famous and influential figures in American history. He was a writer, inventor, statesman, diplomat, and a founding father of the United States.
He is known for his many achievements, such as discovering electricity, printing the first newspaper in America, signing the Declaration of Independence, and negotiating the Treaty of Paris.
But did you know that Benjamin Franklin was also one of 17 children? Yes, you read that right. Franklin had 16 siblings, making him part of a very large and diverse family.
In this blog post, we will explore the lives and stories of Benjamin Franklin’s brothers and sisters, and how they influenced his life and legacy.
Benjamin Franklin and Family Background
Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706, in Boston, Massachusetts. His father, Josiah Franklin, was a tallow chandler, soaper, and candlemaker.
His mother, Abiah Folger, was Josiah’s second wife and the daughter of a prominent Puritan minister. Josiah had seven children from his first marriage, and ten more with Abiah, making a total of 17 children in the Franklin household
The Franklin siblings grew up in a modest and crowded home, where they learned to work hard and value education.
Benjamin was the youngest son and the 15th child of the family. He had a close relationship with his older brother James, who taught him the printing trade and encouraged his interest in reading and writing.
Benjamin also had a strong bond with his youngest sister Jane, who was his lifelong correspondent and confidante
The Franklin siblings had diverse personalities and careers. Some of them followed their father’s footsteps and became craftsmen, while others pursued different occupations, such as merchants, farmers, sailors, soldiers, and ministers.
However, Some of them stayed in Boston or moved to other colonies, while others emigrated to England or the West Indies. Some of them supported Benjamin’s political and scientific endeavors, while others disagreed with him or remained indifferent. Some of them lived long and prosperous lives, while others died young or tragically
In this blog post, we will rank the Franklin siblings from oldest to youngest, and provide some brief information about their names, birth dates, occupations, and personal lives.
We will also highlight some of the interesting facts and anecdotes that reveal their relationships with Benjamin and their roles in his life and history.
Photo Courtesy: gettyimages.com
Benjamin Franklin Siblings: Oldest to Youngest
Elizabeth Douse (March 2, 1678 – August 25, 1759)
Age (at time of death): 81 years, 5 months, 23 days
Born: Northamptonshire, England
Occupation: Housewife
Elizabeth Douse was the eldest of the Franklin siblings. She was born in England, where her father Josiah lived before he moved to America.
She married a man named Samuel Douse, and they had four children. Elizabeth was nicknamed “Berry” by her family and friends. She never met Benjamin, as she stayed in England all her life. She died in 1759, at the age of 81
Samuel Franklin (1681 – March 31, 1720)
Age (at time of death): Approx. 39
Born: Oxford, England
Occupation: Merchant
Samuel Franklin was the second oldest of the Franklin siblings. He was also born in England, and came to America with his father Josiah when he was about six years old.
He married a woman named Elizabeth Tyng on May 16, 1705, and they had three children. Samuel was a merchant who traded with the West Indies.
He was also a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, a militia organization in Boston. He died in 1720, at the age of 39
Hannah Cole (May 25, 1683 – April 3, 1723)
Age (at time of death): 39 years, 10 months, 9 days
Born: Oxford, England
Occupation: Housewife
Hannah Cole was the third oldest of the Franklin siblings. She was the last one to be born in England, and came to America with her father Josiah when she was about four years old.
She married Thomas Cole on June 22, 1710, and they had six children. Hannah was a housewife who lived in Boston. She died in 1723, at the age of 39
Josiah Franklin Jr. (August 23, 1685 – 1715)
Age (at time of death): Approx. 29
Born: Boston, Massachusetts
Occupation: Sailor
Josiah Franklin Jr. was the fourth oldest of the Franklin siblings. He was the first one to be born in America, and was named after his father.
Furthermore, he became a sailor and traveled to various places, such as England, Spain, and the West Indies. He died in 1715, at the age of 29, after becoming lost somewhere in the China sea
Joseph Franklin I (January 5, 1687 – February 1688)
Age (at time of death): 13 months
Born: Boston, Massachusetts
Occupation: N/A
Joseph Franklin I was the fifth oldest of the Franklin siblings. He died when he was only 13 months old, and the cause of his death is unknown.
He was buried in the Granary Burying Ground in Boston, where his father Josiah and his brother Benjamin would later be buried as well
Anne Harris (January 5, 1687 – June 15, 1729)
Age (at time of death): 42 years, 5 months, 10 days
Born: Boston, Massachusetts
Occupation: Housewife
Anne Harris was the sixth oldest of the Franklin siblings. She was born on the same day as her brother Joseph I, making them twins.
She married William Harris on July 10, 1712, and they had two children. Anne was a housewife who lived in Boston. She died in 1729, at the age of 42
Joseph Franklin II (June 30, 1689 – Unknown)
Age (at time of death): N/A
Born: Boston, Massachusetts
Occupation: N/A
Joseph Franklin II was the seventh oldest of the Franklin siblings. He was named after his brother Joseph I, who had died before he was born. He also died young, but the date or details of his death are unknown
John Franklin Sr. (December 7, 1690 – January 30, 1756)
Age (at time of death): 65 years, 1 month, 23 days
Born: Boston, Massachusetts
Occupation: Soap and Candle Maker
John Franklin Sr. was the eighth oldest of the Franklin siblings. He was a craftsman who learned under the tutelage of his father Josiah.
Additionally, he worked as a soap and candle maker in Rhode Island and Boston. He married a woman named Abigail Johnson on November 25, 1714, and they had four children.
John was a loyal supporter of his brother Benjamin, and helped him with his printing business and his political activities. He died in 1756, at the age of 65
Peter Franklin (November 22, 1692 – March 10, 1766)
Age (at time of death): 73 years, 3 months, 16 days
Born: Boston, Massachusetts
Occupation: Printer and Postmaster
Peter Franklin was the ninth oldest of the Franklin siblings. He was also a craftsman who learned from his father Josiah.
Additionally, he worked as a printer and a postmaster in Rhode Island and Philadelphia. He married a woman named Mary Wright on October 28, 1718, and they had six children.
Peter was also a loyal supporter of his brother Benjamin, and helped him with his printing business and his scientific experiments. He died in 1766, at the age of 73
Mary Holmes (March 26, 1694 – 1783)
Age (at time of death): Approx. 89
Born: Boston, Massachusetts
Occupation: Housewife
Mary Holmes was the tenth oldest of the Franklin siblings. She married Edward Holmes on October 28, 1718, and they had four children. Mary was a housewife who lived in Boston.
She was also a loyal supporter of her brother Benjamin, and helped him with his printing business and his political activities. She died in 1783, at the age of 89
James Franklin (February 4, 1697 – February 4, 1735)
Age (at time of death): 38 years
Born: Boston, Massachusetts
Occupation: Printer and Publisher
James Franklin was the eleventh oldest of the Franklin siblings. He was the most influential sibling in Benjamin’s life, as he taught him the printing trade and encouraged his interest in reading and writing.
James was a printer and a publisher who founded the New-England Courant, the first independent newspaper in America.
He married a woman named Ann Smith on December 4, 1723, and they had six children. James was also a political activist who criticized the colonial government and the clergy. He died in 1735, on his 38th birthday, from a fever.
Sarah Davenport (September 9, 1699 – October 17, 1731)
Age (at time of death): 32 years, 1 month, 8 days
Born: Boston, Massachusetts
Occupation: Housewife
Sarah Davenport was the twelfth oldest of the Franklin siblings. She married John Davenport on June 4, 1722, and they had two children. Sarah was a housewife who lived in Boston. She died in 1731, at the age of 32.
Ebenezer Franklin (September 20, 1701 – 1702)
Age (at time of death): Less than 1 year
Born: Boston, Massachusetts
Occupation: N/A
Ebenezer Franklin was the thirteenth oldest of the Franklin siblings. He died when he was less than one year old, and the cause of his death is unknown.
He was buried in the Granary Burying Ground in Boston, where his father Josiah and his brother Benjamin would later be buried as well.
Thomas Franklin (December 7, 1703 – 1706)
Age (at time of death): Approx. 2
Born: Boston, Massachusetts
Occupation: N/A
Thomas Franklin was the fourteenth oldest of the Franklin siblings. He died when he was about two years old, and the cause of his death is unknown.
He was buried in the Granary Burying Ground in Boston, where his father Josiah and his brother Benjamin would later be buried as well.
Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790)
Age (at time of death): 84 years, 3 months
Born: Boston, Massachusetts
Occupation: Writer, Inventor, Statesman, Diplomat, Founding Father
Benjamin Franklin was the fifteenth oldest of the Franklin siblings.
He was the most famous and influential of them all, as he made significant contributions to science, literature, politics, and diplomacy.
Additionally, he was a writer, inventor, statesman, diplomat, and a founding father of the United States. He married a woman named Deborah Read on September 1, 1730, and they had three children.
Benjamin was also involved in several affairs and had several illegitimate children. He died in 1790, at the age of 84, and was buried in the Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia.
Lydia Scott (August 8, 1708 – 1758)
Age (at time of death): Approx. 50
Born: Boston, Massachusetts
Occupation: Housewife
Lydia Scott was the sixteenth oldest of the Franklin siblings. She married Robert Scott on November 25, 1731, and they had four children. Lydia was a housewife who lived in Boston. She died in 1758, at the age of 50.
Jane Mecom (March 27, 1712 – May 7, 1794)
Age (at time of death): 82 years, 1 month, 10 days
Born: Boston, Massachusetts
Occupation: Housewife
Jane Mecom was the youngest of the Franklin siblings. She was the closest to Benjamin, as they shared a lifelong correspondence and confidance.
She married Edward Mecom on November 27, 1727, and they had twelve children. Jane was a housewife who lived in Boston and Rhode Island.
She was also a political activist who supported the American Revolution and the abolition of slavery. She died in 1794, at the age of 82, and was buried in the North Burial Ground in Providence.
Conclusion
The Franklin siblings were a remarkable group of people who lived in a turbulent and exciting era of American history.
They had diverse personalities and careers, and they influenced and supported each other in various ways. Furthermore, they also faced many challenges and tragedies, such as poverty, disease, war, and death.
They left behind a rich legacy of stories, letters, and achievements that reveal their character and spirit.
Benjamin Franklin was undoubtedly the most famous and influential of them all, but he was also shaped by his family and his siblings.
He learned from them, he loved them, he argued with them, he helped them, and he mourned them. He once wrote to his sister Jane, “We are subject to the same Infirmities, and must expect in the Course of Nature to share the same Fate, that of being in a little time among the Dead and Forgotten.”
But Benjamin and his siblings were not forgotten. They are still remembered and honored today, as part of the Franklin family and the American history.
READ ALSO:
- Amelie McCann Siblings: Sad Story of The Young Twins Who Lost Their Sister
- Steve Harvey Siblings: How Steve Harvey’s Siblings Shaped His Success and Happiness
- Rhonda Ross Kendrick Siblings: Learn more About the Musician’s Family
Greetings, I’m Evans Odundo, a dedicated professional with a Master’s Degree in Software Engineering from Daystar University.
My journey into blogging is driven by a genuine fascination with celebrity siblings and families. I derive immense satisfaction from uncovering the unique dynamics and stories that shape these high-profile relationships.
Before immersing myself in the world of technology, I pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations at USIU, cultivating a robust foundation in understanding global affairs during my four-year academic journey.
This diverse academic background equips me with the ability to seamlessly integrate technological insights with a profound understanding of international dynamics.
In the digital landscape, I distinguish myself as a proficient blogger, utilizing my platform to share captivating narratives about celebrity siblings and families.
My capacity to connect the intricacies of software engineering with the fascinating world of celebrity dynamics showcases my multidisciplinary approach.
Having spent years deciphering the ever-evolving landscape of celebrity relationships, I’ve developed a unique perspective that sets me apart in the blogging sphere.
My unwavering commitment to continuous learning ensures that my audience receives accurate and up-to-date information, empowering them to engage with celebrity sibling stories with confidence.
Embark on this journey of exploration with me as I unravel the fascinating world of celebrity siblings and families, providing you with insights to navigate their stories with intrigue and understanding.