Adding Benjamin Franklin to Our Family Tree

After years of researching the ol' family tree, surprises still happen.  I guess that is what keeps the mystery and intrigue alive in this relationship we call genealogy.

Today, while working on a massive tree clean-up campaign, I noticed a hint for another ancestor that mentioned Anthony Wilkinson.  I've blogged about his son-in-law John Knowles (Adding a Peruck Maker to the Family Tree).   

So, before I go on, where does Anthony fit in the family tree big picture:  

Elizabeth North is married to Anthony Wilkinson.  Their daughter Mary Wilkinson was John Knowles' wife.

Of course, you want to know, how does Benjamin Franklin fit into the picture.  Well, here you go:

(as always, click on each image to see it in greater detail.

this chart may also be viewed here: Genealogical Charts of the White and Cash Families )

So, imagine for a moment your mother has a cousin and then imagine that that cousin has a daughter.  That would be the relationship between Elizabeth North and Deborah Read who was married (common law?) to Benjamin Franklin.  So Deborah is the first cousin, once removed of my father's seventh great grandmother.

And, you know what, that puts Benjamin Franklin in our family tree.  I'll take it.

Benjamin and Deborah have several letters discussing my eighth great grandparents.  They clearly knew each other well. You can read some of the Franklin correspondence here:

From Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, 6 September 1758

To Benjamin Franklin from Deborah Franklin, 10–21 February 1765