Thanks for your note, David ... and yes, the Alexander Franklin you found in Quebec, Canada was the same Alexander Franklin who was born on the Isle of Wight in 1862. The 3 of them came over to Canada together in 1880 and all 3 are present and accounted for in the Canadian 1881 census. You are right too in saying that Thomas was a Baptist yet his wife was an Irish Catholic so I don't how that all plays itself out in terms of Baptism. I don't imagine that it does.
I have already checked the 1851 and 1861 England censuses and the only individual who is present on both is a Thomas Franklin (dob about 1830) who was born into a large farm family of 7 sons and 3 daughters from Houghton Conquest. I do not know where that is in relation to Stotfold though and I don't have any proof that this Thomas is the correct one.
There is also another possibility, a George Thomas Franklin, born in 1825 in Leighton Buzzard.
The UK Census of 1851 lists George as an Assistant Vict. and Maltster 1825 Leighton Buzzard@BDF.
Dwelling location - Page 11, Number 62.
Address - North East of Leck Street.
This George Thomas Franklin worked for his father Henry.
Henry was a maltster and owned the The George (later known as The George and Dragon) pub on Leek (aka Leck and Lake) St. in Leighton Buzzard. He owned and operated the pub from 1830 - 1861. The pub was demolished in 1862 to make way for the Corn Exchange building.
The name is right but the year of birth of this George Thomas is about 4 - 5 years earlier that the date stated on my grandfather's notarized letter that I have.
Cheers,
Karen