Josiah Franklin

Josiah Franklin married his first wife, Anne Child (1655–1689), in 1677 and they had seven children: 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 to Boston, Josiah took up the trade of tallow chandler and soap boiler because the trade he was born to was not in demand in New England. ==Marriage to Abiah Folger==

In November 1689, Josiah Franklin married his second wife, Abiah Folger (1667–1752), in the Old South Church. Abiah of Nantucket, Massachusetts, was the daughter of Peter and Mary Morrill Foulger. Peter Foulger was a schoolmaster, a miller and a surveyor. 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), and Jane (1712–1794). ==Benjamin Franklin==

Josiah insisted that each of his sons must learn a trade. He had great dreams of Benjamin becoming a minister, 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 himself arithmetic, grammar, and philosophy. Benjamin had a very strong relationship with his father, who had a great influence on Benjamin. ==Brothers and sisters==

Josiah Franklin had eight siblings, most of whom died in infancy and childhood: • Thomas Franklin (1637–1702) • Samuel Franklin (1641–1663) • John Franklin (1643–1691) • Joseph Franklin (1646–1683) • Benjamin Franklin (1650–1727) • Hannah Franklin (1654–1712) ==References==