Lumley Franklin
Encyclopedia
Lumley Franklin was the 2nd mayor of Victoria, British Columbia
. He was born in Liverpool, England, the son of a successful banker. Lumley emigrated from London to New York City in 1845 to establish his career in the U.S. He was a successful business man before he moved to San Francisco in 1854 to join his brothers Edward and Selim during the California Gold Rush
. Lumley's cousins, Maurice and Lewis Franklin, had already left San Francisco to establish the Franklin House in San Diego, but frequently visited San Francisco. (See photo of Lumley and Selim Franklin in Victoria.)
Lumley stayed in California until 1858 when he and younger brother Selim
(1814–1884) moved up to Victoria for the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush
. In Victoria, Lumley and Selim established Franklin & Company, Auctioneers and Land Agents, at the foot of Yates Street. Because they were English citizens, they were appointed by Governor James Douglas
as the first government auctioneers for British Columbia. Franklin & Company took out full page adds in the daily newspaper, The British Colonist, to advertise items up for auction which usually included properties in the area, furniture, cattle, books, photographs and carriages. In addition, the Franklins bought up properties around Victoria for their own ownership, including a cattle sale yard on Fort Street. One of Lumley's properties in the Seattle, Washington area became the subject of a US Supreme Court ruling in 1896: Hanford vs. Davies.
Franklin did not marry or have any children, but he did have other achievements. Lumley achieved the title of Esquire
and was a founding member of the Freemason
lodge in Victoria. He was also a member of the grand jury that heard the trial of Tshuanahusset regarding the murder of William Robinson. In June 1867, Lumley was selected to the Board of Education of Vancouver Island along Dr. Powell (Chairman), David Higgins, Francis Garesche, and Thomas Wood.
Franklin Street
in Victoria was named after Lumley Franklin. The Franklin River
on Vancouver Island was named for his brother Selim.
. Lumley's opponent was Mr. Copland, who he defeated by a vote of 78 to 73. During his term in office, Franklin had the privilege of residing over the installation of the telegraph cable linking Victoria directly to England. He received many congratulatory letters from other cities such as London, England and San Francisco on having Victoria connected via telegraph. He responded to each of these letters with a thank you note in return. Throughout his term Franklin was well liked and "urged to stand for re-election" by his fellow councillors and the general public. He declined the offer because he wanted to travel and enjoy his wealth.
, who sang opera. The Conductor was Chief of Police John Bayley. Other founders included Postmaster General Arthur Bushby, Alexander Main, Augustus Pemberton, A.C. Anderson, Joseph Porter, James Leigh, B.W. Pearse, and James Crowly.
Lumley is listed in a history of music in Victoria as the Composer/Mayor. According to The Knickerbocker
Magazine in 1849, Lumley was involved in composer circles, including opera singer, director and composer Signor Guiseppe De Begnis of London and New York, and Thomas Moore
of London. De Begnis described Lumley as being an excellent judge of music and possessing accomplished vocal skills, which given his credentials is a supreme compliment. Signor De Begnis was a world-class opera singer who worked with Rossini in Italy and was married to the talented opera soprano Giuseppina Ronzi (Claudine de Begnis). Signor De Begnis dedicated one of his works to Lumley before he died in New York in August 1849.
His brother, Selim Franklin, was the executor of the estate, which was settled in San Francisco, CA, as the place of Lumley's death. Lumley was most likely buried in Victoria, BC.
Lumley Franklin's estate was divided up as follows:
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
. He was born in Liverpool, England, the son of a successful banker. Lumley emigrated from London to New York City in 1845 to establish his career in the U.S. He was a successful business man before he moved to San Francisco in 1854 to join his brothers Edward and Selim during the California Gold Rush
California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
. Lumley's cousins, Maurice and Lewis Franklin, had already left San Francisco to establish the Franklin House in San Diego, but frequently visited San Francisco. (See photo of Lumley and Selim Franklin in Victoria.)
Lumley stayed in California until 1858 when he and younger brother Selim
Selim Franklin
Selim Franklin, Esquire was an American pioneer, auctioneer, real estate agent, chess master, and Canadian legislator. Selim is listed in the Pioneer Club of San Francisco and The Society of California Pioneers...
(1814–1884) moved up to Victoria for the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush
Fraser Canyon Gold Rush
The Fraser Canyon Gold Rush, began in 1858 after gold was discovered on the Thompson River in British Columbia at its confluence with the Nicoamen River. This was a few miles upstream from the Thompson's confluence with the Fraser River at present-day Lytton...
. In Victoria, Lumley and Selim established Franklin & Company, Auctioneers and Land Agents, at the foot of Yates Street. Because they were English citizens, they were appointed by Governor James Douglas
James Douglas (Governor)
Sir James Douglas KCB was a company fur-trader and a British colonial governor on Vancouver Island in northwestern North America, particularly in what is now British Columbia. Douglas worked for the North West Company, and later for the Hudson's Bay Company becoming a high-ranking company officer...
as the first government auctioneers for British Columbia. Franklin & Company took out full page adds in the daily newspaper, The British Colonist, to advertise items up for auction which usually included properties in the area, furniture, cattle, books, photographs and carriages. In addition, the Franklins bought up properties around Victoria for their own ownership, including a cattle sale yard on Fort Street. One of Lumley's properties in the Seattle, Washington area became the subject of a US Supreme Court ruling in 1896: Hanford vs. Davies.
Franklin did not marry or have any children, but he did have other achievements. Lumley achieved the title of Esquire
Esquire
Esquire is a term of West European origin . Depending on the country, the term has different meanings...
and was a founding member of the Freemason
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
lodge in Victoria. He was also a member of the grand jury that heard the trial of Tshuanahusset regarding the murder of William Robinson. In June 1867, Lumley was selected to the Board of Education of Vancouver Island along Dr. Powell (Chairman), David Higgins, Francis Garesche, and Thomas Wood.
Franklin Street
Franklin Street
The following roads are named Franklin Street:*Franklin Street in Maryland, United States*Franklin Street in North Carolina, United States*Franklin Street in Illinois, United States...
in Victoria was named after Lumley Franklin. The Franklin River
Franklin River (Vancouver Island)
Franklin River in Vancouver Island, British Columbia, is located between Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound, was named as part of the Vancouver Island Exploration Expedition of 1864. The river was named for Selim Franklin, Esquire, who was Chairman of the Exploration Committee.The Franklin River flows...
on Vancouver Island was named for his brother Selim.
Mayor of Victoria
In November 1865 Lumley became the second mayor of Victoria, the same year his brother Selim left his seat on the Provincial Legislature. Lumley was nominated by the first mayor of Victoria, Thomas HarrisThomas Harris
Thomas Harris is an American author and screenwriter, best known for a series of suspense novels about his most famous character, Hannibal Lecter...
. Lumley's opponent was Mr. Copland, who he defeated by a vote of 78 to 73. During his term in office, Franklin had the privilege of residing over the installation of the telegraph cable linking Victoria directly to England. He received many congratulatory letters from other cities such as London, England and San Francisco on having Victoria connected via telegraph. He responded to each of these letters with a thank you note in return. Throughout his term Franklin was well liked and "urged to stand for re-election" by his fellow councillors and the general public. He declined the offer because he wanted to travel and enjoy his wealth.
Composer and Co-founder of Victoria Philharmonic Society
Shortly after arriving in Victoria, Lumley and Selim Franklin helped found the Victoria Philharmonic Society, both served as executives in the organization, and both sang in the musical performances. The Chairman of the Society was Chief-Justice BegbieMatthew Baillie Begbie
Sir Matthew Baillie Begbie was born on the island of Mauritius, thereafter raised and educated in the United Kingdom...
, who sang opera. The Conductor was Chief of Police John Bayley. Other founders included Postmaster General Arthur Bushby, Alexander Main, Augustus Pemberton, A.C. Anderson, Joseph Porter, James Leigh, B.W. Pearse, and James Crowly.
Lumley is listed in a history of music in Victoria as the Composer/Mayor. According to The Knickerbocker
The Knickerbocker
The Knickerbocker, or New-York Monthly Magazine, was a literary magazine of New York City, founded by Charles Fenno Hoffman in 1833, and published until 1865 under various titles, including:...
Magazine in 1849, Lumley was involved in composer circles, including opera singer, director and composer Signor Guiseppe De Begnis of London and New York, and Thomas Moore
Thomas Moore
Thomas Moore was an Irish poet, singer, songwriter, and entertainer, now best remembered for the lyrics of The Minstrel Boy and The Last Rose of Summer. He was responsible, with John Murray, for burning Lord Byron's memoirs after his death...
of London. De Begnis described Lumley as being an excellent judge of music and possessing accomplished vocal skills, which given his credentials is a supreme compliment. Signor De Begnis was a world-class opera singer who worked with Rossini in Italy and was married to the talented opera soprano Giuseppina Ronzi (Claudine de Begnis). Signor De Begnis dedicated one of his works to Lumley before he died in New York in August 1849.
Death and Estate of Lumley Franklin, Esquire
Franklin enjoyed travelling, and frequently travelled by steamship down to San Francisco. It was on a journey down south to deal with his deceased brother's estate, Edward Franklin, that he suffered a severe stroke on July 11, 1873. He became paralysed and eventually died on August 3, 1873 in San Francisco at age 65.His brother, Selim Franklin, was the executor of the estate, which was settled in San Francisco, CA, as the place of Lumley's death. Lumley was most likely buried in Victoria, BC.
Lumley Franklin's estate was divided up as follows:
- 1/10 – Sarah Franklin (sister)
- 1/20 – Maria Ashton (sister)
- 1/10 – P. Lewis of Naples (brother)
- 3/20 – David Lewis of London (brother)
- 5/20 – Selim (brother)
- 1/10 – Walter Lewis (brother)
- 3/20 – to the children of Frank (brother)
- 1/10 to Elise Reynolds (sister?) and her son, William.
See also
- List of mayors of Victoria, British Columbia
- Governor James Douglas of BCJames Douglas (Governor)Sir James Douglas KCB was a company fur-trader and a British colonial governor on Vancouver Island in northwestern North America, particularly in what is now British Columbia. Douglas worked for the North West Company, and later for the Hudson's Bay Company becoming a high-ranking company officer...
- Chief-Justice Begbie of BCMatthew Baillie BegbieSir Matthew Baillie Begbie was born on the island of Mauritius, thereafter raised and educated in the United Kingdom...
- Colony of Vancouver IslandColony of Vancouver IslandThe Colony of Vancouver Island , was a crown colony of British North America from 1849 to 1866, after which it was united with British Columbia. The united colony joined the Dominion of Canada through Confederation in 1871...
- United Colonies of Vancouver Island and British ColumbiaUnited Colonies of Vancouver Island and British ColumbiaThe Colony of British Columbia is a crown colony that resulted from the amalgamation of the two former colonies, the Colony of Vancouver Island and the mainland Colony of British Columbia...
- Cariboo Gold RushCariboo Gold RushThe Cariboo Gold Rush was a gold rush in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Although the first gold discovery was made in 1859 at Horsefly Creek, followed by more strikes at Keithley Creek and Antler Horns lake in 1860, the actual rush did not begin until 1861, when these discoveries were...
- Fraser Canyon Gold RushFraser Canyon Gold RushThe Fraser Canyon Gold Rush, began in 1858 after gold was discovered on the Thompson River in British Columbia at its confluence with the Nicoamen River. This was a few miles upstream from the Thompson's confluence with the Fraser River at present-day Lytton...
- Fort Victoria (British Columbia)Fort Victoria (British Columbia)Fort Victoria was a fur trading post of the Hudson’s Bay Company, the headquarters of HBC operations in British Columbia. The fort was the beginnings of a settlement that eventually grew into the modern Victoria, British Columbia, the capital city of British Columbia.The headquarters of HBC...
- Rock Creek Gold RushRock Creek Gold RushThe Rock Creek Gold Rush was a gold rush in the Boundary Country region of the Colony of British Columbia . The rush was touched off in 1859 when two US soldiers were driven across the border to escape pursuing Indians and chanced on gold only three miles into British territory, on the banks of...