From Boyhood to Manhood

From Boyhood to Manhood (Life
of Benjamin Franklin)

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Title: From Boyhood to Manhood
Author: William M. Thayer
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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 realities
surpass the idealities of novelists. Imagination would scarcely venture
to portray such victories over poverty, obscurity, difficulties, and
hardships. The tact, application, perseverance, and industry, that he
brought to his life-work, make him an example for all time. He met
with defeats; but they inspired him to manlier efforts. His successes
increased his desire for something higher and nobler. He was satisfied
only with going up still higher. He believed that "one to-day is worth
two to-morrows"; and he acted accordingly, with the candle-shop and
printing office for his school-room, and Observation for his teacher.
His career furnishes one of the noblest examples of success for the
young of both sexes to study. We offer his life as one of the brightest
and best in American history to inspire young hearts with lofty aims.
The first and principal source of material for this book was Franklin's

"Autobiography." No other authority, or treasure of material, can take
the place of that. Biographies by Sparks, Sargent, Abbott, and Parton
have freely consulted together with "Franklin in France," and various
eulogies and essays upon his life and character.
That Franklin was the real father of the American Union, is the view
which the author of this biography presents. It is the view of Bancroft,
as follows:--
"Not half of Franklin's merits have been told. He was the true father of
the American Union. It was he who went forth to lay the foundation of
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 Franklin
who suggested the Congress of 1774; and but for his wisdom, and the
confidence that wisdom inspired, it is a matter of doubt whether that
Congress would have taken effect. It was Franklin who suggested the
bond of the Union which binds these States from Florida to Maine.
Franklin was the greatest diplomatist of the eighteenth century. He
never spoke a word too soon; he never spoke a word too much; he
never failed to speak the right word at the right season."
The closing years of Franklin's life were so identified with the Union of
the States, and the election and inauguration of Washington as the first
President, that his biography becomes a fitting companion to the
WHITE 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 to Baptize Him the Same Day--Discussion over
It--Baptized on That Day by Doctor Willard--The Church
Record--House in Which He was Born--Josiah's Children--Death of

Wife and Second Marriage--The Folger Family--Name for Uncle
Benjamin--Personal Beauty--Words of Parton--Josiah Took Up Trade
of Tallow-chandler--The Business and Place Described--Sons
Apprenticed--Josiah a Good Musician--Condition of the World When
Benjamin was Born in 1706.
III. PAYING TOO DEAR FOR THE WHISTLE.