Anne died of complications when her seventh child was born, and within the year, Josiah remarried. The bride was Abiah Folger, who over the years presented Josiah with ten more children, the eighth of which was named Benjamin. After all these years, the family still lived in the house they rented on Milk Street, the birthplace of all but two of these American Franklins. Their home, in its turn, was a meeting place for the Puritan church with which the family affiliated.
By the time Benjamin was five, he was able to read the Bible, and the other books on his father's shelves--mostly books on "polemic divinity," arguments for and against various doctrinal issues. About this same time, he purchased a whistle, which delighted him no end until he learned that he had paid four times what it was worth.
Soon after Ben's sixth birthday, the Franklins purchased a house on Union and Hanover streets. Benjamin's sister, Jane, recalled the home as lowly, but they were well fed, comfortably clothed, and warm. She reminisced that their parents got along well, as did the children, who seldom had any contention among themselves.
Although most people are not aware of the slavery that was in the north, the following newspaper announcement was made several times during 1713: "Three Negro men and two Negro women to be sold and seen at the house of Mr. Josiah Franklin at the Blue Ball in Union Street, Boston."
By this time, Benjamin was seven years old and already writing prolifically, including poetry. At some point, he also kept pigeons.
A very devout man, Benjamin's father was also prolific, noted for his long prayers preceding the family's meals. Benjamin felt that this lacked common sense, and he hoped to correct the problem. In early winter the family had a great deal of salting to do for the winter's provisions. When Josiah was preparing for the mealtime prayer, Benjamin said, "Father, you ought to ask a blessing, once for all, upon the whole cask of provisions, as it would be a wonderful saving of time!"
During these long prayers, Benjamin spent his time looking over the four large maps that hung in the parlor, learning his geography by doing so.
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