Ben Franklin's World is a production of the

O'Mohandro Institute.

Welcome to Ben Franklin's World,

podcast about early American history with Liz Covert.

The study of history is key to understanding who we are and how we can

affect the better future. Ben Franklin's world will introduce you to historical people

and events that have impacted and shaped our present day world. And now, people and

now here's your host Liz Colarn.

Hello and welcome to episode 221 of Ben Franklin's world

the podcast dedicated to helping you,

learn more about how the people and events of our early American past

have shaped the present day world we live in.

Benjamin Franklin was born on January 1706, and there are stories that circulate in Boston about just how cold it was on the day of Franklin's birth.

One story relates that after his birth, his parents, Josiah and Abbeifolder Franklin, dashed their

newborn son across the street to be baptized in the Old South Meeting House, only to find

that the water in the baptismal font was frozen solid. Now given that colonial

buildings like the Old South Meeting House didn't really have heaters in the early

18th century, it wouldn't surprise me if this fun story has a bit of truth

to it. And while it may have been cold inside the Old South

Meeting House in January 1706, it likely would have been a lot warmer across the

street inside the Franklin's home. Josiah, Abia, and their children would have had to keep a fire going near continuously in their

double hearth fireplace so that they could heat and cook meals for their household.

...