The story handed down through many generations about the
relationship of Benjamin Franklin, the "Statesman" , to Mary
Franklin, wife of Arthur Aylworth (1684/5-1761) appears to be a
figment of the imagination of Abel Aylsworth (1745-1830). He is
I quoted in the book, "Arthur Aylworth, and His Descendants in
America . (Ref.10, p32) as having been named by "Aunt Mary"
Franklin Aylworth, for her brother, Abel Franklin, the uncle of
Benjamin.
Many hours of intensive research was devoted to
substantiating this yarn. The record appears quite clear on
this subject. Benjamin did not have an Uncle Abel, nor did his
father have a sister by the name of Mary. The ancestors of 'Ben'
are here detailed for all to judge the merits of this claim.
From a chart, hand prepared by 'Ben' himself, and confirmed by
all the sources found, the following are the facts.
Thomas Franklin of Ecton, Northamptonshire, England, had
five children: Robert, Jane, John, James and Henry. His
son Henry Franklin, born May 26, 1573, had two sons named
Thomas; the first of which died two months before the second was
born.
THOMAS FRANKLIN, born Oct. 8, 1598, died Mar. 21, 1682, a
blacksmith, married 1636 to Jane White who died at Ecton Sep. 1,
1696.
They had 9 children:
1. Thomas, born Mar. 11, 1637, married
Eleanor ? and had only one
daughter, Mary, born Oct. 24, 1673 who married Richard
Fisher
2. Samuel, born Nov. 7, 1641, died 1664
3. A son, died young .
4. A son, died young
5. John, who married Anne ? and had five daughters and one
son.
a. Thomas who died in Birmingham after
1752 and left one son Thomas.
b. Hannah who married & lived in Hamberg
c. Ann who married & died without issue
d. Mary who married & died without issue
e. Jane who married without issue
f. Eleanor who died without issue
6. Joseph, died Nov. 30, 1683, married
Sarah ? and had a son Joseph.
7. Benjamin (not the statesman), born Mar. 23, 1650, married
Hannah
Mills, Nov. 23, 1683 and had ten children:
a. Samuel, died 1728, came to New
England and had one son Samuel.
b. Benjamin (not the statesman), born Aug. 6, 1686
c. Jane, born Sep. 14, 1687
d. Hannah, born Nov. 11, 1689
e. Thomas, born Aug. 31, 1694
f. Elizabeth, born ca. 1696
g. A daughter
h. A daughter
i. Joseph
j. Josiah, born Jan. 3, 1702
Note: all but Samuel died early
8. Hannah, born act. 23, 1654, died 1716, married John
Morris and had
three daughters: Eleanor, Jane & Hannah.
9. Josiah, born Dec. 23, 1657, died Jan. 17, 1745, married
(1) Ann Child
in England and had his first seven children before she
died.
Children:
a. Elizabeth, born Mar. 3,1678,
married Mr. Douse.
b. Samuel, born Mar. 16, 1681 No Issue
c.
Hannah, born May 25, 1683, married (1) . Mr. Eddy,
(2)
Thomas Cole
d. Josiah, born Aug. 23, 1685, died ca. 1715 without
issue
e. Ann, born Jan. 5, 1687, mar. Mr. Harris
f. Joseph I., born Feb. 6,1688, died at 5.
g. Joseph 2., born Jun. 30, 1689 died at 15 days.
He married (2) in New England, Dec. 1689
or Jan. 1690, Abiah Folger and had ten more . ( The parents
of "BENJAMIN" )
Children.
h. John, born Dec. 16, 1690, married and
had John Jr.,
Jan. 1716 Peter, born Nov. 22, 1692, married Mary?
no issue
i. Mary, born Sep. 26, 1694, died ca. 1730, married
Mr.
Holmes.
j. James, born Feb. 4, 1697, died 1733, married Rachel
?
had 4 children.
k. Sarah, born Jul. 9, 1699, married John Davenport.
l. Ebenezer, born Sep. 20, 1701
m. Thomas, born Dec. 7, 1703, died young
n. BENJAMIN, The Statesman, born Jan. 6, 1706 (new
Style
-Jan. 17), married and had issue (some
illegitimate)
o. Lydia, born Aug. 3, 1706, married Mr. Scott 1758.
p. Jane, born Mar. 27, 1712, married Mr. Mecom and
had
issue. (Bens favorite)
The name Abel does not appear in 'Ben's'
family ancestors. The name Mary does appear but they are all
taken or of the wrong generation to marry Arthur Aylworth Jr.
So this author says: "While it may have been nice to have
been related to you Ben, you will have to look elsewhere for
Aunts & Uncles." And to the tall story Amen!!!!
Should there be anyone among the readers of this book that
can prove the above assumptions wrong and be willing to provide
said proof to the family we shall then welcome Old Ben back with
open arms.
Ref: (10) , (11) , (12) , (14) ,
(15) , (30) , (52) , (64) .
|
|
