Benjamin Banneker was born on November 9, 1731, on a farm in a valley of Maryland's Patapsco River, he was born a free black person. His parents were Mary and Robert. The Banneker family was free because of his grandmother, Molly Welsh, who's history helped her family's future. She ended up marrying one of her previous slaves, Banneka. Banneka died around 1720 leaving Molly and the family to run their farm. Mary and Robert were married and lived on the Welsh farm. Benjamin grew up with the influence of strong women like his mother and grandmother.