Allen Franklin

Biography:

Private Allen J. Franklin was born on March 30, 1835, to Mr. Jackson and Hannah (Smith) Franklin. They lived in a part of Frederick County that would become Carroll County in 1837. He was enslaved, although we have not yet found his enslavers.

When Private Franklin enlisted in February of 1865, it was for a term of one year. He served with the 38th US Colored Infantry. Primarily posted in Texas, along the Rio Grande, Private Franklin would be part of the force guarding the southern border. The following year, his term expired, he returned north to Westminster.

His wife was Eliza Miles, and they may have been married before he went to war. They had nine children, although only two children survived him.

Private Franklin worked at first as a stone quarrier, while his wife worked as a wash woman. He continued to work well into his sixties, often on the farms surrounding the town of Westminster. Private Allen Franklin died on May 2, 1905. His wife and at least one daughter are also buried in Ellsworth.