Childhood
Born in Boston on January 17, 1706. Ben had nine brothers and seven sisters. when growing up Benjamins father, Josiah Franklin, wanted Ben to be a clergy. A generic term used to refer to the formal religious leadership within some religions. he was sent to school at age 8. Benjamin learned how to read and write very well, but had trouble learning arithmetic. So his father pulled him out of school at age 10 and had Ben start working in his candle and soap buisness. Ben work in his father shop till age 12 when told his father that he was unhappy with working in the shop. Benjamins father then had him start working as an apprentice under his older brother in his print shop.
While working in the print shop he learn to love reading and writing even more. At age 16 Benjamin started to write stories in secrecy and under the pen name, "Mrs. Silence Dogood". He wrote under this pen name because his brother had denied ot publish "Benjamin Franklins" work. He wrote a total of 14 letters and sliped them under his brothers office door at night. Ben wrote one story at a time and would have it printed to see how it would go over with the public. After the first one was published, the people the would read the paper loved it. So "Mrs. Silence Dogood" continued to write 13 more letters until his brother found out that it was benjamin that was creating the stories. When he found out there relationship was never the same. After his brother found out benjamin ran away from Boston to Philadelphia at age 17.
While working in the print shop he learn to love reading and writing even more. At age 16 Benjamin started to write stories in secrecy and under the pen name, "Mrs. Silence Dogood". He wrote under this pen name because his brother had denied ot publish "Benjamin Franklins" work. He wrote a total of 14 letters and sliped them under his brothers office door at night. Ben wrote one story at a time and would have it printed to see how it would go over with the public. After the first one was published, the people the would read the paper loved it. So "Mrs. Silence Dogood" continued to write 13 more letters until his brother found out that it was benjamin that was creating the stories. When he found out there relationship was never the same. After his brother found out benjamin ran away from Boston to Philadelphia at age 17.
Famliy
Benjamin's spouse was Deborah Read (Feb 14, 1708- Dec 19, 1774). Benjamin proposed to her when she was 15 years old. Deborah's mother would not consent to the marriage because of Benjamin's up coming trip to England and his financial instability. Deborah would married John Rogers, who fled soon after the marriage. They never got a divorce so Benjamin and Deborah could never have a formal marriage. Instead they had a common-law marriage. Deborah had a stroke on December 14, 1774 and soon died on December 19, 1774, she was 66 when she died. They were married from 1730-1774.
During Deborah and Benjamin's marriage, they had two children of their own. The first child was Francis Folger Franklin (Oct. 20, 1732 - Nov. 21, 1736). He was giving the nickname "Franky" by his parents. Francis only live for a short time. He was 4 years old when he died of smallpox. They wouldn't have another child until seven years later in 1743, the child's name was Sara Franklin Bache (Sept. 11, 1743 - Oct 5, 1808). She was known as "Sally" through her life. She was married to Richard Bache, they had eight children together. After her mothers death she served as her father's political hostess. She was a leader of relief work during the American Revolutionary War. She died on October 5, 1808 of natural causes, she was 65 when she died. Benjamin also had an illegitimate son name William Franklin
During Deborah and Benjamin's marriage, they had two children of their own. The first child was Francis Folger Franklin (Oct. 20, 1732 - Nov. 21, 1736). He was giving the nickname "Franky" by his parents. Francis only live for a short time. He was 4 years old when he died of smallpox. They wouldn't have another child until seven years later in 1743, the child's name was Sara Franklin Bache (Sept. 11, 1743 - Oct 5, 1808). She was known as "Sally" through her life. She was married to Richard Bache, they had eight children together. After her mothers death she served as her father's political hostess. She was a leader of relief work during the American Revolutionary War. She died on October 5, 1808 of natural causes, she was 65 when she died. Benjamin also had an illegitimate son name William Franklin
(1730 - Nov, 1814). He would become the Colonial Governor of New Jersey. William died in November 1814, he was
Later Life
When Benjamin was 21 he created a group called Junto. It was a group of aspiring artisans and tradesmen who were like minded in bettering themselves and improving the community. With the group they had made a subscription library called "Library Company of Philadelphia". The library first started in the different group members houses. Then in 1739 the collection moved to the second floor of the State House of Pennsylvania, now Independence Hall. Benjamin was also the publisher of the "Pennsylvania Gazette". While publishing Benjamin also created the first German language newspaper in America. The paper only lasted for less then a year because other newspapers German paper.
Benjamin Franklin is also one of the Founding Father. He had help to write Declaration of Independence which declared our independence for Great Britain. He was also the 6th president of Pennsylvania from Oct. 18, 1785 - Nov. 5, 1788.
Benjamin Franklin is also one of the Founding Father. He had help to write Declaration of Independence which declared our independence for Great Britain. He was also the 6th president of Pennsylvania from Oct. 18, 1785 - Nov. 5, 1788.