Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography: A Glimpse into Labor in Yankeedom

In his autobiography, Benjamin Franklin details life in Massachusetts during his childhood and offers insights into its labor force. In particular, he describes how "At ten years old [he] was taken home to assist [his] father in his business" (ch.1) rather than continuing his education. However, this genre causes him to focus on his own experiences rather than considering how common this practice was in Massachusetts. By looking at sources around the time he began working (1715-1720), one can see why children may have had to join the labor force early.

In 1717, Ebenezer Pemberton wrote, "A brief account of the state of the province of the Massachusetts-Bay," where he speaks highly of the colony's religious tolerance. He mentions grammar schools, like the one Franklin briefly attended, which ensured the succession of ministers in the territory. However, unlike Franklin, Pemberton claims that grammar schools' admittance only required "a proficiency in learning and good morals" (7). In his autobiography, Franklin cites the high cost of learning needed to become a minister as leading his father to change his career path (ch.1). Thus, even if "the Liberal Arts and Science" (Pemberton 7) could afford to be publicly taught, the need for economic stability prevented many parents from allowing their children to pursue career paths not focused on profit.

Although Pemberton's account could still indicate that Franklin's situation was still unusual considering the proliferation of grammar schools, the letter B. Gray and J. Edwards published tells a different story. Pointing to the imbalance between the colony's imports and exports, the letter's author claims that Massachusetts was accumulating heavy debt. He attributes this partly to the purchase of frivolous goods but also as "[their] Import must be answered by [their] Export, and yet [they] have not enough of the latter to do it" (6). Franklin's father may have considered this looming economic danger when he pressed his son into work at a young age.

Through a religious sermon written by Benjamin Coleman in 1718, we can again see this idea of the colony's labor failing to sustain conspicuous consumption. Coleman asserts that although the "Idle hours and Idle Experiences" (7) indicate that the settlement is wealthy, he claims that the colonists are poor to the state. His statements regarding the lack of productivity as seen in other territories concur with the author's argument in the previously mentioned letter. These men ultimately point to the different circumstances this region faced compared to Tidewater or the Deep South. Rather than predominantly relying on enslaved labor that cultivated mainly a few exported crops and gained great wealth for these regions, Massachusetts and other New England colonies had more varied labor that was not as enriching. Thus, despite Franklin's aversion to the soap and candle-making industry, he had to join his father in it and assuage the economic demands in this colony as the labor force here was more precarious for the colonists.

Works Cited

Colman, Benjamin, et al. The religious regards we owe to our country and the blessings of

heaven assured thereunto : a sermon preached before His Excellency Samuel Shute, Esq., His Majesty's Council, and the Assembly of the province of the Massachusetts-Bay in New-England, May 28, 1718 : being the day for the election of His Majesty's Council there. Printed by B. Green, Printer to His Excellency the Governour and Council, 1718. Sabin Americana: History of the Americas, 1500-1926, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CY0102942377/SABN?u=umd_um&sid=bookmark-SABN&xid=5bf76132&pg=13. Accessed 15 Oct. 2021.

Franklin, Benjamin. Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Henry Holt and Company, 1916,

Project Gutenberg, www.gutenberg.org/files/20203/20203-h/20203-h.htm#I.

Pemberton, Ebenezer, and Cotton Mather. A Brief Account of the State of the Province of the

Massachusetts-Bay in New-England, Civil and Ecclesiastical. Printed by T. Crump, for Gillam Phillips, and Sold at His Shop, over against the West End of the Town-House, 1717. Redex, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy-um.researchport.umd.edu/iw-search/we/Evans/?p_product=EAIX&p_theme=eai&p_nbid=N55S50LFMTYzNDMyMTUyOC44MDYwODI6MToxMjoxMjkuMi4xOS4xMDI&p_action=doc&p_queryname=1&p_docref=v2:0F2B1FCB879B099B@EAIX-0F301577ED33BF30@1896-0FB9D5D3B5AC6AE0@7. Accessed 15 Oct. 2021.

The Present melancholy circumstances of the province consider'd, and methods for redress

humbly proposed, in a letter from one in the country to one in Boston. [B. Gray and J. Edwards], [1719]. Sabin Americana: History of the Americas, 1500-1926,

link.gale.com/apps/doc/CY0101066367/SABN?u=umd_um&sid=bookmark-SABN&xid=2d46e219&pg=6. Accessed 15 Oct. 2021.