FRANKLINS - Key Persons

William Franklin after serving a seven-year apprenticeship with Abijah Pears set up on his own. Shortly afterwards he was asked to join Pears in the old firm, which became Pears and Franklin. This continued to 1856 when F.W. Franklin was taken into the partnership, and the name changed to Pears, Franklin and Son. Soon after Abijah Pears retired, possibly due to ill health. The London Gazette lists the partnership dissolved 20th July, 1857. The name was changed to William Franklin & Sons. At the 1881 Census William was living at ‘Highfield', Saint Nicholas Street, Radford, Coventry.