1727
(rev. 8/9/97)

Personal: BF suffered his first pleurisy attack and nearly died during February 1727. It is not known who cared for BF or where he lived then. Evidently Denham fell ill slightly later, and BF found himself without work after he recovered (A52). Because of his illness and the deaths of friends of relatives, BF may have written his epitaph this year, though he once (years later) dated it 1728 (P 1:109-111). He returned to work for Samuel Keimer about March. The only glimpse of his quarters occurs when Meredith visited him after BF and Keimer quarrelled on Monday, 2 Oct. From that mention, it appears he was not living with Keimer but occupied a room in another house. If there is any truth to the rumor that he once lived in Elfreth's Alley, it must have been while he worked for Keimer in 1727 and early 1728 (Roach 134-38).

On 17 March, BF's uncle and namesake, Benjamin Franklin, died in Boston. On 20 April, BF's Philadelphia friend Joseph Watson died. He had been courting Deborah Read's sister Frances when BF arrived back in Philadelphia, and it was partly on Watson's account that the Read family immediately took him back into their circle (A70-71). BF's favorite sister, Jane, married Edward Mecom in Boston on 27 July. BF's older friend and patron Andrew Hamilton was elected from Bucks County to the Pennsylvania Assembly on 2 Oct. Though now 21, Franklin probably did not vote in the election (I speculate in the biography that he first voted in 1730). On election day, 2 Oct, BF & Keimer quarreled, and BF quit. That evening Hugh Meredith proposed that he and BF enter into a printing partnership. They agreed to do so, and with Meredith's father's backing, ordered a press and types from London. Within a few weeks Keimer apologized, and BF returned to work for him until the equipment arrived from London. Deborah (Read) Rogers had not been living with her husband for some time since it was now believed that he had been married previously (A70-71). In December, her sometime husband, John Rogers, absconded, taking with him a young African-American slave, who belonged to a Philadelphian (9 May 1728). During 1727 or 1728, Franklin had an affair with an unknown young woman, which resulted in the birth of William Franklin during 1728 or 1729 (cf. 28 May).

In the fall, BF formed the Junto, a society of young men who met together on Friday evenings for self-improvement, study, mutual aid, and conviviality. Practically no records of specific Junto meetings exist, though a number of the topics taken up survive in BF's writings. The Junto lasted until 1765, and Franklin remained its heart and soul until he left for England in 1757. When in good health and in Philadelphia, I assume that he attended the Junto nearly every Friday evening until 1757 and again, when he could spare the time, during 1762-64. But when the Junto meetings conflicted with important events, like the annual election, I presume the meetings were simply cancelled. From Nov 1727, until he left for England in 1757, and again from 1762 to 1764, I record the dates when he probably attended the Junto meetings. These, however, are merely guesses.

Business: BF's friend and employer Thomas Denham fell sick early in 1727, and lingered on, seriously ill, until his death the following year, 4 July 1728. While working for Keimer, BF printed A Collection of Elegiac Poems on ... Martha Thomas (post 7 March); [Joseph Breintnall], The Death of King George (c. 24 Aug); two political tracts: Stulta est Clementia (late September); and Sir William Keith's Remarks upon the Advice to the Freeholders (ante October); and two almanacs: Titan Leeds, The American Almanack for 1728 (circa early Nov); Jacob Taylor, An Almanac for 1728 (circa early Nov); and probably printed an undated imprint by Keimer (listed at the year-end).

Pennsylvania Politics: On 4 July, the suit over the proprietorship of Pennsylvania was settled in favor of the descendants of William Penn's first wife, making the three sons, John, Thomas, and Richard Penn joint proprietors of Pennsylvania. Despite a barrage of propaganda during the preceding ten months, William Keith failed to gain more followers in the 1 Oct 1727 election and again lost the election for Speaker of the Assembly.

Background: George I died and George II was proclaimed King on 17 June; the news appeared in Philadelphia in the 24 Aug AWM. George II was proclaimed King in Pennsylvania on 31 Aug. He remained King until his death on 26 Oct 1760.

Chronology:

6 Jan, Friday. BF became 21.

6 Jan (b). BF wrote his earliest extant personal letter to Jane [future (Mecom)] Franklin. Cf. his business letter to Sir Hans Sloane, 2 June 1725.

10 Jan, Tuesday, 1726/7, Captain Nathaniel Freeman, sloop Pellican, cleared for departure to Boston, carrying BF's letter to Jane Franklin. AWM 10 Jan 1726/7.

Feb. BF fell critically ill with first pleurisy attack (Roach 136; A52). Perhaps he composed his epitaph at this time (dated c. 1728 [P 1:109­10]). His second violent pleurisy attack occurred in the summer and fall of 1735, when his left lung suppurated (Bell 1962: 59). Pleurisy finally killed him in 1790.

Post 7 March, Tuesday. Since Martha Thomas died on 7 March, the collection of poems on her death probably was published several months later: A Collection of Elegiac Poems devoted to the Memory of Martha Thomas [Philadelphia: S. Keimer, 1727]. Campbell X69; Evans 2851. Note: Known only from an 1837 reprint.

10 March, Friday. Boston selectmen meeting: "Upon appplication made to them by Messrs William Downs, Josiah Franklin, Jacob Royall & Jacob Parker, in behalf of them Selves and Others, That they may have Liberty to Lay a Drain or Common Shore from Hanover Street, Down Union Street to the Dock for the Draining of their Cellers. Liberty is Granted to them to break up the Pavement and Ground to Lay a Drain or Common Shore, (according to the Direction of the Law) from Hanover Street, Down Union Street to the Dock Provided they forthwith made good the Ground and Pavement to the Satisfaction of the Select men, and from time to time keep it in Repare." RRC 13: 161-62.

17 March, Friday, Uncle Benjamin Franklin died. Obituary in New England Weekly Journal, Monday, 27 March 1727: "On Monday last [March 20] was decently Interr'd the Remains of Mr. Benjamin Franklin, who died here on Fryday the 17th Instant, in the 77th Year of his Age. A Person who was justly esteem'd and valu'd as a rare and exemplary Christian; one who lov'd the People and Ministers of Christ: His Presence in the House of God was always solemn and affecting; and tho' he courted not the Observation of Men, yet there were many that could not but take notice of, and admire the peculiar Excellencies that so visibly adorn'd him." His obituary also appeared in the BNL, 31 March.

c. 27 March, Monday. Edward West began working as a clerk for Thomas Denham, evidently replacing BF. Cf. 1 May.

About March, BF returned to work for Keimer, supposedly on Robert Homes' advice (A53). No record of Homes/Holmes appears, however, in the lists of ships entered or cleared in the AWM, Feb through June.

1 April, Saturday: Denham debited Franklin £10/0/0 "To Cash for thy Passage in the Ship Berkshire." Cf. 19 Dec 1726. The total debited to BF was £16/3/5. Cf. 20 Oct 1726 and 1 Sept 1728. Denham, Account Book, PHi.

20 April. Franklin's friend Joseph Watson died. Hinshaw 2:433 (giving the date as 2-20-1727). He had been courting Frances Read, Deborah's sister, when BF returned from England. In a cancelled passage in the Autobiography, BF wrote that Frances Read "had married my Friend Watson" and that the Read family "had some Regard for me on his Account" (A70). No doubt Watson had courted her, but no record of their marriage has been found.

1 May, Thomas Denham paid Edward West £3.15.4 for "1 m[onth] 1 w[eek] Writing my Books." Denham Account Book, 32.

28 May, Sunday. "Sunday last being the Anniversary of His Majesty's Birth, the Mayor, Recorder, and divers other Gentlemen went to our Governours House at Noon where His Majesty's, the Prince and Princess of Wales Healths were drank, and several Guns fired: On Monday Evening there was a great Appearance of Gentlemen and Ladies at his Honours House, where all the Royal Healths were again drank, Prosperity to the Proprietor and People, and to this City, and after a great Entertainment the Night was Concluded with a Ball." AWM 1 June. It may well have been on an occasion such as this that BF and an unknown young woman had sex, resulting in the birth of the illegitimate William Franklin in 1728 or 1729.

29 May. Boston selectmen meeting: "Liberty Granted to John Clark Esqr. and Mr. Benja. Emmans to take up the Pavement and Digg up the Ground in Hanover Street to Clear their Drains and Common Shore from against Mr. Tays House to the Corner of Josiah Franklins House in Said Street, provided they forthwith make good the Ground and pavement to the Satisfaction of the Select men and keep them in Repair from time to time." RRC 13: 164.

Summer: While working for Keimer on the New Jersey paper money, BF occasionally made type and engraved (A 55).

12 June. Andrew Hamilton elected Recorder of Philadelphia. Minutes of the Common Council 270.

17 June. London. "On Thursday about Noon his present Majesty George the Second was Proclaimed King." Cf. 24 and 31 Aug.

4 July, London. The Court of Exchequer ruled on Hannah Penn's suit, establishing John, Thomas, and Richard Penn as proprietors. Roach, "Family" 81.

27 July, Thursday, In the Brattle Street Church, the Rev. William Cooper married BF's sister Jane to Edward Mecom. Surprised that she was not married by one of her own ministers in the Old South Church, Van Doren, Jane Mecom, 24, speculated that perhaps her parents discountenanced the match because of her youth or for some other reason.

24 Aug, Thursday. AWM announced news of the Death of George I and the succession of George II. Cf. 17 June, 31 Aug.

31 Aug, Thursday. AWM: "This Day at Noon, the Honourable Colonel Gordon our Governour, attended by his Council, the Mayor, Recorder, and Commonalty of this City, and divers other Gentlemen, Proclaimed here His Majesty King GEORGE the Second, with the usual Ceremony of Firing of Guns and other Demonstrations of Loyalty and Affection." This occasion would have been a logical time to publish or distribute the following poetic broadside.

c. 31 Aug. [Joseph Breintnall], The Death of King George (Philadelphia: S. Keimer, 1727). No Campbell; no Evans. Unique copy at Lib. Co. of Phila. The manuscript attribution "By Joseph Breintnall" may be in BF's hand. Reprinted in facsimile, with a discussion, in Annual Report of the Lib Co of Phila for 1989 8-11.

14 Sept, Thursday, AWM: "Ship Fame from Holland is now in the River with about 500 Palintines on Board, who gives an Account of Two more Ships to Sail from thence with more Palintines on Board." The news caused Gov. Patrick Gordon to call a Council meeting "to concert proper measures for the peace and security of the province, which may be endangered by such numbers of Strangers daily poured in, who being ignorant of our Language & Laws, & settling in a body together, make, as it were, a distinct people from his Majesties Subjects." It was resolved that the immigrants must sign an oath "declaring their Allegiance & Subjection to the King of Great Britain & Fidelity to the Proprietary of this Province, & that they will demean themselves peaceably towards all his Majesties Subjects, & strictly observe, and conform to the Laws of England and of this Government." Colonial Records 3:282-83.

late Sept Stulta est Clementia, cum tot ubique [Philadelphia: S. Keimer, 1727]. Campbell X73; Evans 2965. A reply to Isaac Norris's Speech Delivered from the Bench to the Court of Common Pleas .... 11 Sept (Evans 2937). Norris responded with A Confutation of the Reply (Evans 2938).

ante Oct. [Sir William Keith] Remarks upon the Advice to the Freeholders &c. [Philadelphia: S. Keimer, 1727] Campbell X72; Evans 2951. Horle 1:166, provides the authorship.

2 Oct, Monday (a rainy election day), Keimer insulted BF, who instantly. Franklin wrote and cancelled that it occurred "On the Day of the County Election" (A55). Since the date fits the known chronology, I will assume the event occurred on 2 Oct. That evening, Hugh Meredith proposed a printing partnership (A56).

2 Oct (b). Election Day. Now age 21, BF could have voted in the election, for "every [white male] Inhabitant, Artificer, or other Resident" paying "Scot and Lot to the Government" was qualified to vote. Leonard, "Elections" WMQ 11 (1954):393, n.34. On the other hand, BF might have feared that his right to vote would be challenged, and there was little reason to vote since Sir William Keith controlled the Philadelphia city and county elections. I suspect that he first voted in the 1730 election. For the Pennsylvania elections procedure, see Tully, William Penn's Legacy 215, n. 38.

2 Oct (c). James Logan tried to organize opposition to Sir William Keith in Philadelphia county, but it rained on election day, causing the members who lived far from the polls not to come to vote, and effectively re-electing the Keithians to the assembly. The Keithians were John Swift, Dr. John Kearsley, Job Goodson, Thomas Tresse, Edward Horne, William Monnington, Leonard Sprogel, and Thomas Rutterson. Assembly Speaker Lloyd, however, retained his supporters in Bucks and Chester counties and defeated Keith's second attempt to win the Speakership. Votes 2:1856.

2 Oct (d). Andrew Hamilton, BF's friend and patron, was elected, for the first time, to the Pennsylvania Assembly from Bucks Co. Votes 2:1856.

3 Oct, Tuesday. Printer Andrew Bradford was elected a member of the city council. Election was for life, and he attended meetings regularly through 1741 (d. 1742). Minutes of the Common Council 276.

19 Oct, Thursday. AWM: The London Hope, Capt. Thomas Annis, cleared Philadelphia for London, probably carrying Simon Meredith's order for a new press and types for his son Hugh and for Benjamin Franklin (A59, 65).

Mid or late Oct?, Hoping to print the New Jersey currency, Keimer rehired BF because only he could make the cuts and the different types the currency would require (A56).

30 Oct, Monday. "Monday last being the Anniversary of the Birth of Our most Gracious Soverign King GEORGE the Second, there were very great Rejoicings, with other Demonstrations of Loyalty and Affection, over all this City: A handsome Entertainment was provided by the Commanders of Ships and others, at the House of Mr. William Chancellor Sail-maker, in whose Gardens 21 Pieces of Cannon were commodiously Placed, where ... The Healths of his Majesty, the Queen Consort, ... were Drank, under the Discharge of a great Number of Cannon, and the Entertainment concluded with a Ball."

"About Seven a-Clock in the Evening, the Mayor, Recorder and a great many other Gentlemen went to the Governours House to pay their Compliment on this Occasion to His Lady, where was a handsome Appearance of Ladies of the best Note and Fashion, and after a splendid Entertainment, there was a Ball which lasted till 3 next Morning. ..." 2 Nov AWM.

31 Oct, Tuesday. "On Tuesday following all the Royal Healths with several other Loyal ones were again drank at a Feast made by Charles Read Esq; the late Mayor of this City, as is usual by Mayors at the Expiration of their Mayoralty." 2 Nov AWM.

Ante Nov, 1727. The Junto.

During the fall, BF formed the Junto, a self­improvement and mutual aid society for ambitious young men of his acquaintance, which met on Friday evenings (A 61-63). The first members included three friends from Keimer's shop (Hugh Meredith, Stephen Potts, and George Webb) along with Joseph Breintnall, Thomas Godfrey, Nicholas Scull, William Parsons, William Maugridge, Robert Grace, Philip Syng, Hugh Roberts, and William Coleman, mainly intellectual and ambitious young men. The exact date of the club's founding is unknown, but it was in the "Autumn" (A61). I therefore begin recording in Nov 1727 that on Friday evenings BF probably attended a Junto meeting.

1 Nov, Wednesday. "And Yesterday the same [see 30 and 31 Oct] were again repeated at an Entertainment made at the Expence of the Grand-Jury of this City, where his Honour the Governour was Present." 2 Nov AWM.

3 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

c. early Nov. Titan Leeds, [Arms of Family of Leeds] The American Almanack for 1728 (Philadelphia: Printed by S. Keimer, and sold by W. Heurtin Goldsmith in New York. David Humphreys at Flushing on Long Island. (Beware of the Counterfeit One.) [1727]). Campbell X70; Evans 2892.

c. early Nov. Jacob Taylor, An Almanac for 1728 (Philadelphia: Samuel Keimer, [1727]). Campbell X74; Evans 2966.

10 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

17 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

24 Nov, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

1 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

8 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

15 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

22 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

29 Dec, Friday, probably attended Junto meeting.

In addition to the imprints noted chronologically above, BF may have printed the following undated imprint in 1727:

1. Ellis Pugh. A Salutation to the Britains (Philadelphia: S. Keimer for W. Davies, Bookbinder, 1727). Campbell X71; Evans 2950.

Note: A Catalogue of Medicines Sold by Mr. Robert Talbot at Burlington, though dated [1727?] by Bristol B744 and Evans mp. 39875, was probably printed in 1728 (cf. May? 1728).

Franklin's papers contain two manuscripts from this period. Neither appears to be by BF.

1. (?Tom Freeman): "The Advisor Advised." Apparently never printed. An attack on James Logan. APS. 2p. BFPAPERS file no. 24550.

2. "Advice and Instructions to the Palatines ... in Penna. 2p. A Political Satire, naming various political figures: Our Grand Bashaw, Gov. Patrick Gordon; James Logan; Joseph Browne; Andrew Hamilton; Dr. John Kearsley; James Graeme; Hersam (an allusion to Keith's settlement there); Ludovick Christian or John Henry Sprogel; Thomas Tresse; John Moore; and Edward Horne. Some individuals were characterized: "If you would learn to shoot flying get acquainted with Capt. [Anthony] P[almer]"; "If you stand in Need of an English Poet or an honest Taylor J[ose]ph W[e]bb will be ready to serve you." [Perhaps also a reference to Joseph Taylor, almanac maker & poet.] David Lloyd; "If you would learn the Art of Dissimulation, to impose upon the Ignorant, make fine Speeches & promise without any meaning, borrow of every Body without any Intention to pay, cheat all you deal with, & nevertheless be a fine Gentleman--follow the Example of Sir W[illia]m [Keith]." PMHB 16 (1892):16-17 prints a few lines from the satire. APS.

BF epitaph. Mason Yale Holograph. ca. 1727. BFPAPERS file 3170. Gimbel copy. BFPAPERS file no. 25452. Yale copy, epitaph and adieu, 1728 & April 22, 1784. At Yale. BFPAPERS file no. 27106. WTF 2:245: epitaph dated 1728 & Adieu dated April 22, 1784.