{"id":67657,"date":"2021-04-21T10:16:09","date_gmt":"2021-04-21T14:16:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=67657"},"modified":"2025-04-21T13:12:43","modified_gmt":"2025-04-21T17:12:43","slug":"anniversary-of-benjamin-franklins-funeral","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/anniversary-of-benjamin-franklins-funeral.html","title":{"rendered":"Anniversary of Benjamin Franklin\u2019s Funeral"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction:<\/em><\/strong> In this article, Jane Hampton <\/em>Cook writes about the funeral of Benjamin Franklin and shows how much he was loved and respected. Jane is a presidential historian and author of ten books, including Stories of Faith and Courage from the Revolutionary War<\/a>. Her works can be found at Janecook.com<\/a>. She is also the host of Red, White, Blue and You<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Old newspaper articles, especially obituaries, are one of the best tools for genealogy research. Obituaries also tell us a lot about historic figures that we are very familiar with. For example, the newspaper coverage of early America\u2019s most famous newspaper man, Benjamin Franklin, shows how much he was beloved in his own time.<\/p>\n

\"Illustration:<\/a>
Illustration: Benjamin Franklin, by Joseph Duplessis, c. 1785. Credit: National Portrait Gallery.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Benjamin Franklin\u2019s funeral was held 231 years ago on 21 April 1790, after his death on April 17 at the age of 84. The funeral was the largest of its kind ever seen in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

Philadelphia\u2019s Federal Gazette<\/em> reported:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe concourse of spectators was greater than ever was known on a like occasion. It is computed that not less than 20,000 persons attended and witnessed the funeral. The order and silence which prevailed, during the procession, deeply evinced the heartfelt sense, entertained by all classes of citizens, of the unparalleled virtues, talents, and services of the deceased.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"An<\/a>
Federal Gazette (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 22 April 1790, page 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This number is remarkable when compared to the city\u2019s population of 28,000. More than 70% of Philadelphia attended Franklin\u2019s funeral!<\/p>\n

The pallbearers were the president of the state, the chief justice of Pennsylvania, and other leaders.<\/p>\n

This article also reported:<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the clergy of the city, including the ministers of the Hebrew congregation, (walked) before the corpse.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In addition to family and friends, the procession included members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the mayor of Philadelphia, city leaders, newspaper printers and their journeymen, along with members of different societies including the Society of Cincinnatus and the Philosophical Society.<\/p>\n

Newspaper readers also learned in great detail about Franklin\u2019s last days. His physician released a statement noting that Franklin had been confined in bed for nearly a year because of gallstones. Though dealing with bouts of pain, his mental faculties remained intact and he worked as much as he could.<\/p>\n

The Federal Gazette<\/em> published the doctor\u2019s statement, including this description of how Franklin conducted himself, in between bouts of pain:<\/p>\n

\u201cStill, in the intervals of pain, he not only amused himself with reading and conversing cheerfully with his family and a few friends, who visited him, but was often employed in doing business of a public as well as private nature, with various persons, who waited on him for that purpose; and in every instance displayed, not only that readiness and disposition of doing good, which was the distinguishing characteristic of his life, but the fullest and clearest possession of his uncommon mental abilities.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"An<\/a>
Federal Gazette (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 20 April 1790, page 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In his last days Franklin, according to his physician:<\/p>\n

\u201cAcknowledged his grateful sense of the many blessings he had received from that Supreme Being, who had raised him, from small and low beginnings, to such high rank and consideration among men.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When members of Congress in New York learned of Franklin\u2019s death, Virginia Congressman James Madison rose on the floor of the House of Representatives and praised Franklin\u2019s \u201cnative genius\u201d and his contributions to human nature, science, freedom and his country. Madison proposed that \u201cmembers wear the customary badge of mourning for one month.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
New-York Daily Gazette (New York, New York), 23 April 1790, page 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As word of Franklin\u2019s death spread, tributes began to pour in. Poets penned verses that told of his accomplishments. \u201cO electricity! From thee he draws a large, a glorious portion of applause,\u201d a poet proclaimed in the Federal Gazette<\/em>, while noting that Franklin was known for his witty and wise sayings. He was also known for his diplomacy in France on behalf of America. \u201cRecord his name in thy historic page, There let the statesman triumph with the sage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Federal Gazette (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 21 April 1790, page 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But perhaps the most intimate newspaper article was an old letter Franklin had written to comfort a family member after the death of his brother, John Franklin, in 1756. Published by the Pennsylvania Mercury<\/em> on 22 April 1790, the letter revealed Franklin\u2019s philosophy on living and dying.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are spirits. That bodies should be lent us, while they can afford us pleasure, assist us in acquiring knowledge, or doing good to our fellow creatures, is a kind and benevolent act of God \u2013 when they become unfit for these purposes, and afford us pain instead of pleasure \u2013 instead of an aid, become an incumbrance, and answer none of the intentions for which they were given, it is equally kind and benevolent that a way is provided by which we may get rid of them. Death is that way.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"An<\/a>
Pennsylvania Mercury and Universal Advertiser (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 22 April 1790, page 4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Franklin concluded his letter with this:<\/p>\n

\u201cOur friend [Franklin\u2019s deceased brother] and we are invited abroad on a party of pleasure \u2013 that is to last forever \u2013 His chair was first ready, and he is gone before us \u2013 we could not all conveniently start together, and why should you and I be grieved at this, since we are soon to follow, and we know where to find [him].\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Franklin\u2019s last act of doing good to his fellow creatures was his last message to Congress, which was a February 1790 petition calling for the abolishment of slavery and the end of the slave trade. He wanted Congress to \u201cdevise means<\/a> for removing the inconsistency from the character of the American people.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: the grave of Benjamin Franklin, with pennies, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Credit: Mimono1997; Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Today, when tourists visit Franklin\u2019s Philadelphia grave, they behold a bricked wall with two plaques. On one is the epithet that Franklin wrote for himself, one fitting for his role as a newspaper publisher.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Body of B. Franklin<\/a>, Printer;
\nLike the cover of an old book,
\nIts contents torn out,
\nAnd stript of its lettering and gilding,
\nLies here, food for worms.
\nBut the work shall not be wholly lost:
\nFor it will, as he believ\u2019d, appear once more,
\nIn a new and more perfect edition,
\nCorrected and amended by the Author.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Note:<\/em><\/strong> Just as an online collection of newspapers, such as GenealogyBank\u2019s Historical Newspaper Archives<\/a>, helped tell the story of Benjamin Franklin\u2019s life and death, they can tell you stories about your ancestors that can\u2019t be found anywhere else. Come look today and see what you can discover!<\/p>\n

Explore over 330 years of newspapers and historical records in GenealogyBank. Discover your family story! Start a 7-Day Free Trial<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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