Word Study
franklin
CIDE DICTIONARY
An English freeholder, or substantial householder. Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
"The franklin, a small landholder of those days." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
franklin, n. hist. a landowner of free but not noble birth in the 14th and 15th c. in England.
Etymology
ME francoleyn etc. f. AL francalanus f. francalis held without dues f. francus free: see FRANK
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