Jan 15

Jan 15 Franchising Franklin - The Timothy Family Bring Poor Richard to South Carolina

OK, this is the last Ben Franklin related story for a while…I promise.

Unlike the past few articles, which were about Franklin’s family, this is about his business.

Well, it’s about the Timothy Family, to whom he franchised out a print shop.

Franklin’s Franchise

Benjamin Franklin was the First American.

He gets this title for dozens of reasons, but one of the most overlooked ‘firsts’ for which Franklin should receive credit is as (arguably) the first person to franchise a business.

The original printing press franchise was set up between Franklin and his partner is South Carolina.

Thomas Whitmarsh

In 1732, Benjamin Franklin signed a contract with Thomas Whitmarsh to establish the first franchise in American history.

Franklin would purchase Whitmarsh a new printing press in exchange for one third of the profits.

This would go on to become the first successful print shop in Charleston, South Carolina.

Lewis Timothy

Unfortunately, Whitmarsh died just two years later.

Franklin then struck up a partnership with one of Whitmarsh’s employees, Lewis Timothy.

Still more unfortunate, Timothy passed away six years after that.

The business was left in the hands of his son, Peter Timothy.

Elizabeth Timothy

When he inherited Franklin’s franchise, Peter Timothy was still just 14 years old.

Although the press began to publish in his name, the operation was run by his widowed mother, Elizabeth Timothy.

Elizabeth ran the business for eight years, making her the first woman to work as a publisher in North America. Furthermore, she was technically the first female franchise owner in the future United States.

Peter Timothy

When Peter Timothy came of age, he took over the company and turned it into a major success.

In addition to publishing the popular South Carolina Gazette, Peter was also the official printer for the colonial government.

Three decades later, when the American Revolution began boiling over, Timothy joined the Sons of Liberty. Furthermore, he published articles in favor of the Patriots.

Peter spent time in the Colonial Assembly before joining the local Committee of Safety.

Lost at Sea

When Charleston was conquered by the British Army, Timothy was taken as a prisoner of war and shipped to Florida.

From here, his story gets a bit murky.

Some accounts claim that he fell overboard on his way to Florida.

However, the most likely conclusion to Peter Timothy’s story is that he spent a year in St. Augustine before going to Philadelphia in a prison exchange. He then attempted to take his family to Antigua but their ship capsized en route.

Either way, Peter Timothy’s life was cut short by getting lost at sea.

There were many important Founders who ran print shops during the Revolution.

Here are a few you might like:

Mary Katherine Goddard Reveals the Signers of the Declaration

John Dunlap Announces American Independence

The Sedition of Benjamin Franklin Bache

Ben Franklin ended up establishing franchises up and down the east coast.

If you’d like to learn more about Franklin’s incredible business savvy, I recommend reading ‘Benjamin Franklin’s Printing Network.’

If you’d like a copy you can pick one up through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).