Benjamin Franklin

This city embraces Benjamin Franklin, like no other. His legends and stories take up more than half of the tour guide's information. Franklin's inventions: bifocals, Franklin stove, lightning rods, etc. Stories about his ambition. He started out nobody, he learned a trade-printing, he was driven to become the best printer in the colonies, his almanac, his philosophy on work, etc. His personal life, he "married" a woman that had been deserted by her husband. They could never confirm the run away's death, so they could never officially marry. Yet, still the couple was happy. His son that stayed loyal to the king and ended up buried in England. His spirit of philanthropy. Once he had worked hard enough to get what he needed, he never patented his inventions. He wanted to help people in need, and he had what he needed.

I am becoming his fan, more and more.

Here is a statue of young Ben working at his printing press.

 

He wanted his grave to be simple. His request was honored. A tradition to toss pennies on his grave yields from $3,000 to $4,000 a year. Money used for the upkeep of the cemetery where he and his wife and daughter and son-in-law are buried. People ignoring his wisdom of "a penny saved is a penny earned" for the moment to honor the wisdom of his era.

 

The cemetery where Franklin is buried has more than just his grave of course. These old grave markers invite reverence and contemplation. Men and women who saw our nation forged. The markers weather worn to the point that I couldn't read the names or dates. The little cemetery, a tiny square in the middle of a modern city, more majestic than the grand buildings that dwarf William Penn on City Hall. History pulsated for me as I wandered the stones.

 

Benjamin Franklin opening the 4th of July parade. The man as much a part of the city now as he was back in 1776.