Early Years

History of a family firm in Hackney, Middlesex.

The firm was founded in 1864 by John George Franklin.

John George was born on 26 December 1847 at 28 Cowper Street, Finsbury, Middlesex. His twin brother Henry William died just over a year later on 9 January 1849. They were the first children of William Henry Franklin, a labourer who became a brewer's foreman, and his wife Hannah née Cornwell.

John and Henry were baptised at St. John at Hackney on 4 June 1848.

In the 1861 census [Piece 236; Folio 8; Page 9] JG is described as Ap. [Apprentice] Surgical Instrument Maker. In 1871 John George was a Surgical Instrument Maker employing 1 man and 2 boys according to the census [Piece 444; Folio 15; Page 23]. By 1881 the census [Piece 0293; Folio 32; Page 58] shows that JG employed 6 men, 5 boys & 8 girls.

In 1873 JG married Jane Grose Creeper, a Cornishwoman. They had 14 children between 1874 and 1896, including two sets of twins. Four of their sons joined the business - John Stanley by 1891 according to the census [Piece 186; Folio 91A; Page 13], William Howard, known as Howard, in 1894; Harold in 1897; and Frederick in 1900.

The firm was initially based in Hoxton, manufacturing surgical appliances from rubber and celluloid. In 1890 it moved to larger premises in Birkbeck Road, Dalston and employed about fifteen people.

John Stanley died in 1894, shortly before his 19th birthday.

Sadly JG died on 15 February 1896 aged 48 after contracting diptheria and cardiac paralysis. He was buried in Abney Park Cemetery, Stoke Newington, Middlesex, joining his parents, John Stanley and three of his children who died young.

JG made a will in 1876, appointing his wife and his brother-in-law as executors. He left £2900, worth over £250,000 today.