The Franklin Fifteen: An Introduction (Part 1, 1869-1890)
September 13, 2019
I remember a bunny. I had to have been only three years old when I visited my great-grandmother, Edith Irene Franklin Tinker, in a nursing home. As time goes on, I struggle to remember her face or what she said that day; however, I do remember the bunny. It was yellow, holding an orange carrot, and probably about the length of a piece of paper. This is the only memory I have of her, but even though time has claimed the details of the moment, as well as the stuffed bunny, I still feel her love.
My siblings, much older than I, recall her fondly. For example, she always kept a small bowl of candy corn on her coffee table. This memory is shared nearly every Halloween when the candy makes its seasonal appearance. Although my siblings have clear memories, I only have fragments. I only remember the stuffed bunny, and the baby blanket she made me.
As time has gone on, I've learned more about my great-grandmother, and as the details of her life have come more into focus, I have often found myself in awe. My limited vocabulary fails me as I struggle to find a word that is better than strong. Her life was far from easy, and probably the best words I can find to describe her are undaunted, forceful, tenacious, and fearless.
Born in Cairo, Alexander, Illinois on 14 August 1914 Edith, who went by Irene her entire life, was the fourteenth of fifteen children.[1] Her parents, William H. Franklin and Annie Mary Rice, lived in a small house on 411 Union Street in Cairo and there must have been nearly zero privacy for anyone in the large family. (The picture to the right is of the house at 417 Union Street as 411 Union Street is now a vacant lot.)
Cairo, Alexander, Illinois was a challenging place for William H. Franklin and Annie Mary Rice to raise their children, and I often wonder what events my great-grandmother
Unlike her future husband, Annie Rice was born in Hickman, Fulton, Kentucky on 9 June 1876 to parents Jacob Rice and Christine Lehgel.[3] Sometime between June of 1876 and October 1878 the family moved to Cairo, Illinois as that is where Jacob died of Bilious fever on 4 October 1878.[4]
It is unclear how William Franklin and Annie Rice managed to find each other in a town of nearly 11,000 residents. According to the 1880 census, Annie lived on 10th street while William lived near 21st street. This meant that the two lived eleven, or more, blocks away from each other. Annie's step-father, Stephen Joseph Buchignani, worked at a candy stand and William's father worked as a farmer.[5] On 20 February 1890 Annie and William were married and shortly after moved to Union Street.[6]
To Be Continued......
- Social Security Administration, "United States Social Security Death Index," database, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com: accessed 13 September 2019), entry for Irene Tinker, 2003, SS no. 498-07-1052.
- Ancestry, Find A Grave, database with images (http://www.findagrave.com: accessed 13 September 2019), memorial 104884364, William H. Franklin (1873-1947), Beechwood Cemetery, Mounds, Pulaski, Illinois.
- State of Illinois Department of Public Health, death certificate no. 87-7131, Annie Franklin (1876), Division of Vital Statistics, Alexander.
- "Alexander County, Illinois death records, v. 1-3, 1879-1917," images, FamilySearch, Alexander, Illinois, "Death records, v. 1-3, 1879-1917," image 39; citing "Death Record, Vol. 1, 1879-1910, p. 7, Jacob Rice 4 Oct 1878, FHL microfilm 7621891.
- 1880 United States Census, Alexander County, Illinois, population schedule, Cairo, p. 105B,dwelling 554, family 567, Stephen Bukana family; image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 13 September 2019); citing NARA microflim publication T9, roll 175. 1880 United States Census, Alexander County, Illinois, population schedule, Cairo, p. 58C, dwelling 660, family 798, Daniel Franklin family; image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 13 September 2019); citing NARA microfilm publication T9, roll 175.
- Alexander County, Illinois, marriage license no. not stated (1890), Franklin-Rice; County Clerk's Office, Alexander.
5 comments
I cannot imagine having that many children. Well I can, but my husband forbids me from liking the idea too much. I'm so excited to see a bit of Cairo history coming out already as I recall your HIST 200 project about the unique and history-rich city. The personal connection at the beginning of this post was an immediate draw and the pictures and maps were very well chosen. I'm excited to learn about such a large and well recorded family.
ReplyDeleteFrom reading your post, I think your great-grandmother, Edith Irene Franklin Tinker, must have been very strong, even from childhood. I can’t imagine living with 15 kids in such a small house. I shared a room with my sister growing up but I still felt like I had some privacy. However, I can’t imagine Irene felt that she had any privacy at all. I’m glad your posting about this family because I think they are a special family.
ReplyDeleteI too love the personal hook at the beginning. I'm impressed you were able paint such a vivid picture of her life! have you had a chance to visit the area? I'm sure that be a great trip. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteNot yet! My sister and mom went a couple years ago when they visited my 110 year old great-great aunt.
DeleteI really, really like your writing. You use words like a artist uses a brushes. You use these "word brushes" to paint a lively picture in my mind. It is like being there with your great-grandma and her 14 siblings. Waiting anxiously for the next brush strokes.
ReplyDelete