Did benjamin franklin have slaves?

Slavery was an accepted way of life in early colonial America. Without the work of slaves and indentured servants, the growing economy of the colonies would have been limited. Almost all of our country's founding fathers owned slaves at one time or another, including Benjamin Franklin. read more

Back in Time: Benjamin Franklin and Slavery by Lady Reid There is no doubt that Benjamin Franklin owned slaves; his newspaper in the 1730s often featured slaves for sale. Most black servants were slaves, fully owned property of the master, while many white servants were indentured, probably ex-convicts serving out their sentences. read more

Benjamin Franklin owned at least two slaves, George and King, before becoming an avid abolitionist in the years following the Revolutionary War. I would add Peter and Jemima who are mentioned in his will to be freed but had already died before Franklin. read more