Benjamin Banneker Benjamin Banneker, the son of Robert and Mary Bannaky was born in Baltimore County, Maryland in 1731. His grandfather was a slave from Africa and his grandmother was an indentured servant from England. His grandfather was an African prince known as Banna Ka , then later as Bannaky, and his grandmother, Molly Walsh. His grandmother was a maid from England who had been sent to Maryland as an indentured servant. When she finished her seven years of indenture, she purchased a farm along with two slaves to help her take care of it. Molly freed both slaves and married one, Bannaky. T