Adebesin Folarin

Chief Adebesin Folarin (also known as Josiah Folarin Williams, Josiah Fitzac Folarin and Debeshin Folarin) (1877 – 4 October 1949) was a Nigerian barrister, judge, public official, historian and author. He was one of the leading intellectuals in early 20th-century Abeokuta, and is recognised as "one of the first truly nationalist historians" in Nigeria.

The Williams Family

Josiah Folarin Williams was born in Abeokuta, Southern Nigeria, in 1877. He was the first son of Zachariah Archibald Williams (commonly known as Z. A. Williams) (1850 – 2 March 1912), who was a Merchant Prince of Abeokuta and one of the most successful businessmen in Nigeria at the time.[cn]

Z. A. Williams Z. A. Williams started his first business in 1870 at the age of 20, and in 1877 relocated his business to Lagos, where he dealt mainly in cotton goods. Soon after, Williams started a business in Idunshagbe, Lagos. He visited England for the first time in June 1880, where he made arrangements to establish a much larger business in Lagos. He returned in October 1880 and established a business on the Marina, in a building which, at the time, was called Manchester House.

In 1883, Williams made a fortune of £30,000 (equivalent to £3,742,000 in 2021), and in that same year travelled again to England to join his wife, who had travelled before him. In February 1885, he established a factory at Porto Novo, where the turnover in eleven months amounted to £11,000 (equivalent to £1,450,000 in 2021). In 1884, his business in Lagos was valued at £60,000 (equivalent to £7,650,0000 in 2021).

He paid further visits to England in 1887 and 1889, following which he retired from business. His main exports were palm oil, palm kernels, ivory and cotton. He had branch factories at Broad Street, Itolo, Offin, Victoria Road, Martin Street and Abeokuta. He employed two Europeans, over 20 "Native Clerks" and a general contingent of 100 Krooboys. The other African members were Richard Beale Blaize, J.W. Cole and J.J. Thomas, all of whom were also prominent businessmen at the time.

Samuel Osanyintade "Daddy Sam" Williams Folarin's paternal grandparents were Samuel Osanyintade and Lucy Williams. Samuel Williams (known within the family as 'Daddy Sam') was an Abeokuta trader and the patriarch of the prominent Williams family. Despite having a European surname, Daddy Sam was not a Saro.

The tribal wars of the early 19th century forced the Egba people to migrate from their homesteads and seek refuge under the Olumo Rock in Abeokuta, where they established a new settlement. Among those refugees was a young farmer named Osanyintade, who established a business in Itoko, Abeokuta. Osanyintade became a Christian and was baptised by Samuel Ajayi Crowther. Crowther did not accept Osanyintade as a baptismal name, and so he adopted the name of Samuel.

Daddy Sam was a native farmer and trader, and supplied farm produce to one of the early European exporters in Abeokuta named Eugene Thomas Williams of Manchester, from whom it is said he adopted the name 'Williams'. Daddy Sam's descendants included many prominent national figures such as Frederick Rotimi Williams, Akintola Williams, Eric O. Moore (father of Kofoworola Ademola), Oyinkansola Abayomi, John Taylor, Ernest Shonekan and several others.

Early life and education Folarin moved from Abeokuta to Lagos along with his father in 1879, and like his father, he was educated at the CMS Grammar School, Lagos. He was tutored by James Pearse, a Lagos clergyman who was also tutor to Ladapo Ademola, Eric O. Moore (who was Folarin's first cousin and the father of Lady Ademola) and J. K. Coker.

After leaving school, Folarin sought employment in the mercantile houses in Lagos for a brief period. He went on to work in Calabar, and then to Congo as a Clerk. After 8 years he moved to Cameroon to start a business of his own with his savings. His business rapidly developed and after 7 years he had opened 9 branches of his own establishments.

Folarin changed his name from Josiah Folarin Williams to Josiah Fitz-zack Folarin on 14 April 1906.

He travelled to England in 1910 and joined the Middle Temple. While in England, he lived at 14 Guilford Street. He was called to the bar at Middle Temple on 16 April 1913 with twin brothers Adeyemo Alakija and Olayimika Alakija. A biography of all three men was featured in the May 1913 edition of the African Times and Orient Review.

Towards the end of his time in England, Folarin wrote a book entitled "England and the English: Personal Impressions during a Three Years' Sojourn" which was published by John Taylor in London and was dedicated to his cousin, Eric O. Moore, "in the confident hope that he will spare no effort to collaborate in fostering in our race those elements of unity and self-respect which are so essential to national progress and national independence". The book painted a vivid (and complementary) picture of England as a place, the English people, their mode of government, habits and pastimes.

During his time in England, Folarin developed a deep sense of patriotism and at times in this book criticised (often in very blunt terms, which he was known for) the tendency of Nigerians to idolise the English rather than taking pride in their own achievements and culture . Folarin's view is summarised in the following excerpt:

Folarin also saw embracing Egba culture, including names, language and dress, as important aspects of cultivating a sense of patriotism:

Folarin was also a keen musician, and contributed to the musical entertainment at a number of high profile events including a dinner held in honour of his cousin, Eric O. Moore, at St. George's Hall, Lagos, on 2 March 1917.

He was married to Aurelia Taiwo Folarin.

His children included: Mrs Bolajoko Majekodumni; Mrs Titilola Akinyemi (who – along with Adenrele Ademola, daughter of Alaiyeluwa Ademola II and Prince Ademola's sister), directed the social committee of the West African Students Union into the late 1930s, and served as WASU's Treasurer in 1937; Mr Adebayo Folarin; Mr Olaoluwa Folarin; Mrs Agbeke Henshaw; Mrs Rosaline Abioye Orimoloye (28 September 1933 – 16 April 2021), who was a former Principal Nursing Sister at the University of Lagos. In 1962 she married Patrick Oluwole Orimoloye, who was Secretary General and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Red Cross Society; Chief Mrs Ijiola Ogun; and Mrs Olatokewa Philomena Giwa, a former Principal Nursing Officer, who was married to Professor FBA Giwa of the Physics Department, University of Ibadan.

Publications The Demise of Independence of Egbaland: The Ijemo Trouble. Lagos: Tika-Tore (1916) A Study of some of our Judges. Lagos: Tika-Tore Printing Works (1919) A Short Historical Review of the Life of the Egbas from 1829 to 1930 (1931) England and the English: Personal Impressions during a Three Years' Sojourn (London: John Taylor) The Ogboni and Other Chieftaincies in Abeokuta, Their Purports and Meanings (1934) The Laws and Customs of Egbaland (1939)