Born in 1710, Josiah Quincy was the son of Edmund and Dorothy Flynt Quincy. He was named for his grandfather, Rev. Josiah Flynt. After graduating from Harvard in 1728, he returned to Braintree, Massachusetts (Quincy). In 1735 he moved to Boston and engaged in commerce and shipbuilding. He returned to Braintree in 1748. Josiah was an American Patriot and supporter. He wrote to General George Washington about British troop movements and was a friend of Benjamin Franklin.