Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Beth Trapaga, and Project
Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders
FROM BOYHOOD TO MANHOOD
LIFE OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
By William M. Thayer
Author of "From Farm House to White House," "From Log Cabin to White
House," "From Pioneer Home to White House," "From Tannery to White
House," etc., etc.
ILLUSTRATED
1889.
PREFACE
The life of Benjamin Franklin is stranger than fiction. Its realitiessurpass the idealities of novelists. Imagination would scarcely ventureto portray such victories over poverty, obscurity, difficulties, andhardships. The tact, application, perseverance, and industry, that hebrought to his life-work, make him an example for all time. He met withdefeats; but they inspired him to manlier efforts. His successesincreased his desire for something higher and nobler. He was satisfiedonly with going up still higher. He believed that "one to-day isworth two to-morrows"; and he acted accordingly, with the candle-shopand printing office for his school-room, and Observation for histeacher. His career furnishes one of the noblest examples of successfor the young of both sexes to study. We offer his life as one of thebrightest and best in American history to inspire young hearts withlofty aims.
The first and principal source of material for this book was Franklin's"Autobiography." No other authority, or treasure of material, can takethe place of that. Biographies by Sparks, Sargent, Abbott, and Partonhave freely consulted together with "Franklin in France," and variouseulogies and essays upon his life and character.
That Franklin was the real father of the American Union, is the viewwhich the author of this biography presents. It is the view ofBancroft, as follows:—
"Not half of Franklin's merits have been told. He was the true fatherof the American Union. It was he who went forth to lay the foundationof that great design at Albany; and in New York he lifted up his voice.Here among us he appeared as the apostle of the Union. It was Franklinwho suggested the Congress of 1774; and but for his wisdom, and theconfidence that wisdom inspired, it is a matter of doubt whether thatCongress would have taken effect. It was Franklin who suggested thebond of the Union which binds these States from Florida to Maine.Franklin was the greatest diplomatist of the eighteenth century. Henever spoke a word too soon; he never spoke a word too much; he neverfailed to speak the right word at the right season."
The closing years of Franklin's life were so identified with the Unionof the States, and the election and inauguration of Washington as thefirst President, that his biography becomes a fitting companion to theWHITE HOUSE SERIES.
CONTENTS
I.FROM OLD ENGLAND TO NEW ENGLAND.
Persecution Driving Franklin and Others Away—Discussion about
Emigrating—Josiah Franklin—His Trade—Benjamin Franklin—Doctor
Franklin's Account of His Ancestors—Meetings of Dissenters Broken
Up—Why Josiah Decided to Go—Account of Their Family Bible—The Final
Decision—The Franklin Family Influential—Thomas Franklin—The
Franklin Poet—Doctor Franklin about His Father—What Boston was Then
and Now—Exploring the Wilderness—Influence of Franklins in Boston.
II.THE FIFTEENTH GIFT.
Birth of Benjamin Franklin on Sunday—The Fifteenth Child—God's
Gift—Proposition