William Franklin
Encyclopedia
William Franklin was an American
soldier
and colonial administrator. He served as the last Colonial Governor of New Jersey
. Franklin was a steadfast Loyalist
throughout the American War of Independence, despite his father Benjamin Franklin
's role as one of the most prominent Patriots
during the conflict, a difference that tore the two apart. In 1782 he went into exile in Britain, where he remained until his death.
, then a colony in British America
. The exact date of his birth is uncertain, but it was most probably in 1730. He was the illegitimate son of Benjamin Franklin
, a leading figure in the city. While his mother's identity is unknown, evidence suggests she was a "low woman". Confusion exists about William's birth and parentage because Benjamin was secretive about his sons' origins. In 1750 he stated to his own mother that his son was nineteen years old, but this may have been an attempt to make him appear legitimate.
William was raised by Benjamin Franklin and Deborah Read
, Benjamin's common-law wife
, who he always referred to as his mother. There is some speculation that Deborah Read was William's mother, and that because of his parents' common law relationship, the circumstances of his birth were obscured so as not to be politically harmful to William.
. Although often depicted as a young child when he assisted his father in the famed kite experiment
in 1752, William was 21 years old at the time.
in King George's War
, obtaining the rank of captain in 1747. He completed his education in England, and was admitted to the bar. William and Benjamin Franklin were partners and confidantes, working together to pursue land grants in the midwest.
William was engaged to Elizabeth Graeme, daughter of prominent Philadelphia physician Dr. Thomas Graeme and granddaughter of Pennsylvania's 14th Governor, Sir William Keith
. Neither family approved of the match, and when William went to London to study law
, he left with the understanding that Elizabeth would wait for him. While there, however, he married Elizabeth Downes (1728–1777) on September 4, 1762 and had one son, William Temple Franklin
, who may or may not have been illegitimate, and who, by mutual decision, was raised by Benjamin Franklin.
When the family returned from England, in 1763, he carried a commission from George III to be the Royal Governor of New Jersey, secured in large part based on his father's lobbying efforts with the Prime Minister Lord Bute
. He replaced outgoing Governor Josiah Hardy
. As Governor, William Franklin signed the charter for Queen's College, which would evolve into Rutgers University
.
William remained as governor until he was arrested in 1776 by the Provincial Congress of New Jersey
, an entity which William refused to recognise, regarding it as an "illegal assembly". For two years, he was held as a prisoner, first in Wallingford then Middletown, where he surreptitiously engaged Americans in supporting the Loyalist cause. Discovered, he was incarcerated in Litchfield, Connecticut under appalling conditions for eight months, for an American prisoner of war. When finally released in 1778, he moved to New York City
, still occupied by the British. He was active in the Loyalist community of New York, becoming prominent on the Board of Associated Loyalists.
by Loyalist officer Richard Lippincott
, which in turn sparked the Asgill Affair. During a raid, Loyalist troops, under Franklin's general oversight, captured an officer of the New Jersey miltia, Joshua Huddy. Huddy was subsequently hanged in revenge for a series of similar killings of Loyalists, particularly that of Phillip White. Huddy was a member of the Association of Retaliation, a vigilante
body which had a history of assaulting and murdering Loyalists and Neutrals in New Jersey. It was alleged by some that Franklin had sanctioned the killing of Huddy.
When he heard of Huddy's death, George Washington
threatened to execute Captain Charles Asgill
, a British officer who had been captured at Yorktown
, unless Lippincott was handed over. The British refused, but did put Lippincott on trial themselves. He was absolved of responsibility for the hanging. Agsill's life was eventually spared due to the intervention of the French King Louis XVI who interceded with his American allies to prevent the execution.
and the successful defence of Gibraltar
. In summer 1782 a new British government
came to power, who still hoped to achieve a reconciliation with America.
It is likely that William's Loyalism was a major factor in Benjamin Franklin's uncompromising position towards the Loyalists during the negotiations in Paris for a peace treaty.
was concluded, brining the war to an end. Parliament agreed to the independence of the Thirteen Colonies
and to generous borders, although Benjamin Franklin's demands that Britain cede parts of Canada and other territories in North America were rejected. British forces were gradually evacuated from America during 1782 and 1783. The last major British garrison, at New York City
, was evacuated in late 1783. However, British troops continued to occupy five forts in the Northwest on territory now belonging to the United States. This remained a source of tension between the two nations until the signing of the Jay Treaty
more than a decade later. In the wake of Britain's formal acknowledgement of independence many Loyalists fled into exile, settling in other parts of the Empire and in Britain itself.
In his will, Benjamin Franklin left William virtually none of his wealth, except some territory in Nova Scotia
, stating that had Britain won the war, the elder Franklin would have had no wealth to leave to his son anyway. Although Benjamin addresses his autobiography to his son, he does not mention him further, except indirectly by the inclusion of a newspaper article in which Benjamin notes that his (then still in good standing) son may make contracts for the procurement of carts for the British army.
After a failed career in business in the United States
, W. Temple Franklin
came to live in Europe where he was reunited with William. Temple would later work on the publication of the autobiography
written by Benjamin Franklin. William Franklin died in 1813, and is buried in St Pancras Old Church
churchyard.
, New Jersey
, was named in William's honor, rather than for his father, as was the borough of Franklin Lakes
. Franklin Township
in Somerset County
, New Jersey, site of the Revolutionary War
Battle of Middlebush, was believed by many to also have been named for William, but no document exists to prove that. In 2000, the Franklin Township Council determined it should espouse the hypothesis that the Township was indeed named for Benjamin Franklin. Downe Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey was named after the maiden name of William's wife, Elizabeth. The "s" on Downes was dropped.
British America
For American people of British descent, see British American.British America is the anachronistic term used to refer to the territories under the control of the Crown or Parliament in present day North America , Central America, the Caribbean, and Guyana...
soldier
Soldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
and colonial administrator. He served as the last Colonial Governor of New Jersey
Governor of New Jersey
The Office of the Governor of New Jersey is the executive branch for the U.S. state of New Jersey. The office of Governor is an elected position, for which elected officials serve four year terms. While individual politicians may serve as many terms as they can be elected to, Governors cannot be...
. Franklin was a steadfast Loyalist
Loyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
throughout the American War of Independence, despite his father Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
's role as one of the most prominent Patriots
Patriot (American Revolution)
Patriots is a name often used to describe the colonists of the British Thirteen United Colonies who rebelled against British control during the American Revolution. It was their leading figures who, in July 1776, declared the United States of America an independent nation...
during the conflict, a difference that tore the two apart. In 1782 he went into exile in Britain, where he remained until his death.
Birth and Parentage
William Franklin was born in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, then a colony in British America
British America
For American people of British descent, see British American.British America is the anachronistic term used to refer to the territories under the control of the Crown or Parliament in present day North America , Central America, the Caribbean, and Guyana...
. The exact date of his birth is uncertain, but it was most probably in 1730. He was the illegitimate son of Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
, a leading figure in the city. While his mother's identity is unknown, evidence suggests she was a "low woman". Confusion exists about William's birth and parentage because Benjamin was secretive about his sons' origins. In 1750 he stated to his own mother that his son was nineteen years old, but this may have been an attempt to make him appear legitimate.
William was raised by Benjamin Franklin and Deborah Read
Deborah Read
Deborah Read Franklin was the spouse of Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, and a prominent inventor, printer, thinker, and revolutionary.-Life Before Second Marriage:...
, Benjamin's common-law wife
Common-law marriage
Common-law marriage, sometimes called sui juris marriage, informal marriage or marriage by habit and repute, is a form of interpersonal status that is legally recognized in limited jurisdictions as a marriage even though no legally recognized marriage ceremony is performed or civil marriage...
, who he always referred to as his mother. There is some speculation that Deborah Read was William's mother, and that because of his parents' common law relationship, the circumstances of his birth were obscured so as not to be politically harmful to William.
Education
As William grew older he accompanied his father on several missions, including trips to EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Although often depicted as a young child when he assisted his father in the famed kite experiment
Kite experiment
The kite experiment was a scientific experiment proposed and later conducted by Benjamin Franklin with assistance from his son William Franklin...
in 1752, William was 21 years old at the time.
Military service
William joined the American Regiment in 1746 and fought in AlbanyAlbany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
in King George's War
King George's War
King George's War is the name given to the operations in North America that formed part of the War of the Austrian Succession . It was the third of the four French and Indian Wars. It took place primarily in the British provinces of New York, Massachusetts Bay, New Hampshire, and Nova Scotia...
, obtaining the rank of captain in 1747. He completed his education in England, and was admitted to the bar. William and Benjamin Franklin were partners and confidantes, working together to pursue land grants in the midwest.
William was engaged to Elizabeth Graeme, daughter of prominent Philadelphia physician Dr. Thomas Graeme and granddaughter of Pennsylvania's 14th Governor, Sir William Keith
William Keith (Colonial Governor)
Sir William Keith, Bt was a lieutenant-governor of colonial Pennsylvania and Delaware.Keith was born in Boddam Castle near Peterhead, Scotland to Sir William Keith, Baronet, of Ludquhairn, Scotland and Lady Jean Keith. He was baptised on 16 February 1680. As eldest son, he stood to inherit the...
. Neither family approved of the match, and when William went to London to study law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
, he left with the understanding that Elizabeth would wait for him. While there, however, he married Elizabeth Downes (1728–1777) on September 4, 1762 and had one son, William Temple Franklin
William Temple Franklin
William Temple Franklin was a British-born American diplomat and real estate speculator. He is best known for his involvement with the American diplomatic mission in France during the American Revolutionary War serving as secretary to his grandfather Benjamin Franklin that agreed the...
, who may or may not have been illegitimate, and who, by mutual decision, was raised by Benjamin Franklin.
Governor of New Jersey
John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute
John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute KG, PC , styled Lord Mount Stuart before 1723, was a Scottish nobleman who served as Prime Minister of Great Britain under George III, and was arguably the last important favourite in British politics...
. He replaced outgoing Governor Josiah Hardy
Josiah Hardy
Josiah Hardy was a British merchant and colonial administrator who served as Governor of New Jersey between 1761 and 1763. He was succeeded in the post by William Franklin.He came from a naval family and was the brother of Admiral Charles Hardy....
. As Governor, William Franklin signed the charter for Queen's College, which would evolve into Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
.
American War of Independence
Owing to his father's pivotal role as a Founding Father and William's loyalty to Britain, the relationship between father and son was strained past the breaking point. When Benjamin finally decided to take up the patriot cause, he tried to convince William to join him, but the son stayed steadfastly loyal to the Crown.William remained as governor until he was arrested in 1776 by the Provincial Congress of New Jersey
Provincial Congress of New Jersey
The Provincial Congress of New Jersey was a transitional governing body of the Province of New Jersey in the early part of the American Revolution. It first met in 1775 with representatives from all New Jersey's then-thirteen counties, to supersede the Royal Governor...
, an entity which William refused to recognise, regarding it as an "illegal assembly". For two years, he was held as a prisoner, first in Wallingford then Middletown, where he surreptitiously engaged Americans in supporting the Loyalist cause. Discovered, he was incarcerated in Litchfield, Connecticut under appalling conditions for eight months, for an American prisoner of war. When finally released in 1778, he moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, still occupied by the British. He was active in the Loyalist community of New York, becoming prominent on the Board of Associated Loyalists.
Asgill Affair
He sought a guerilla war and active reprisals against the rebels but was frustrated by British Commander-in-Chief General Clinton. In 1782 Franklin was implicated in the hanging of Joshua HuddyJoshua Huddy
Joshua "Jack" Huddy , the commander of a New Jersey Patriot militia unit and a privateer ship during the American Revolutionary War, was captured by Loyalist forces twice escaping once. Following his second capture, Huddy was summarily hanged by irregular forces of the Associated Loyalists...
by Loyalist officer Richard Lippincott
Richard Lippincott (Loyalist)
Captain Richard Lippincott, U.E. was an American-born Loyalist who served in the British army during the American War of Independence. He is best known for his part in the Asgill Affair in which he hanged an enemy officer Joshua Huddy in revenge for similar murders of Loyalists, provoking an...
, which in turn sparked the Asgill Affair. During a raid, Loyalist troops, under Franklin's general oversight, captured an officer of the New Jersey miltia, Joshua Huddy. Huddy was subsequently hanged in revenge for a series of similar killings of Loyalists, particularly that of Phillip White. Huddy was a member of the Association of Retaliation, a vigilante
Vigilante
A vigilante is a private individual who legally or illegally punishes an alleged lawbreaker, or participates in a group which metes out extralegal punishment to an alleged lawbreaker....
body which had a history of assaulting and murdering Loyalists and Neutrals in New Jersey. It was alleged by some that Franklin had sanctioned the killing of Huddy.
When he heard of Huddy's death, George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
threatened to execute Captain Charles Asgill
Charles Asgill
Charles Asgill may refer to:*Sir Charles Asgill, 1st Baronet , merchant banker and Lord Mayor of London *Sir Charles Asgill, 2nd Baronet , British Army general...
, a British officer who had been captured at Yorktown
Siege of Yorktown
The Siege of Yorktown, Battle of Yorktown, or Surrender of Yorktown in 1781 was a decisive victory by a combined assault of American forces led by General George Washington and French forces led by the Comte de Rochambeau over a British Army commanded by Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis...
, unless Lippincott was handed over. The British refused, but did put Lippincott on trial themselves. He was absolved of responsibility for the hanging. Agsill's life was eventually spared due to the intervention of the French King Louis XVI who interceded with his American allies to prevent the execution.
Exile
In 1782, Franklin departed for Britain, never to return. In London, Franklin became a leading spokesman for the Loyalist community. Because of the continued strength of British forces in North America, in spite of the disaster at Yorktown, many expected Britain to continue fighting the war. Their hopes were further raised by the naval victory against the French at the Battle of the SaintesBattle of the Saintes
The Battle of the Saintes took place over 4 days, 9 April 1782 – 12 April 1782, during the American War of Independence, and was a victory of a British fleet under Admiral Sir George Rodney over a French fleet under the Comte de Grasse forcing the French and Spanish to abandon a planned...
and the successful defence of Gibraltar
Great Siege of Gibraltar
The Great Siege of Gibraltar was an unsuccessful attempt by Spain and France to capture Gibraltar from the British during the American War of Independence. This was the largest action fought during the war in terms of numbers, particularly the Grand Assault of 18 September 1782...
. In summer 1782 a new British government
Shelburne Ministry
This is a list of the principal holders of government office during the premiership of William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne, July 1782 to April 1783....
came to power, who still hoped to achieve a reconciliation with America.
It is likely that William's Loyalism was a major factor in Benjamin Franklin's uncompromising position towards the Loyalists during the negotiations in Paris for a peace treaty.
Treaty of Paris
In 1783 the Peace of ParisPeace of Paris (1783)
The Peace of Paris was the set of treaties which ended the American Revolutionary War. On 3 September 1783, representatives of King George III of Great Britain signed a treaty in Paris with representatives of the United States of America—commonly known as the Treaty of Paris —and two treaties at...
was concluded, brining the war to an end. Parliament agreed to the independence of the Thirteen Colonies
Thirteen Colonies
The Thirteen Colonies were English and later British colonies established on the Atlantic coast of North America between 1607 and 1733. They declared their independence in the American Revolution and formed the United States of America...
and to generous borders, although Benjamin Franklin's demands that Britain cede parts of Canada and other territories in North America were rejected. British forces were gradually evacuated from America during 1782 and 1783. The last major British garrison, at New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, was evacuated in late 1783. However, British troops continued to occupy five forts in the Northwest on territory now belonging to the United States. This remained a source of tension between the two nations until the signing of the Jay Treaty
Jay Treaty
Jay's Treaty, , also known as Jay's Treaty, The British Treaty, and the Treaty of London of 1794, was a treaty between the United States and Great Britain that is credited with averting war,, resolving issues remaining since the Treaty of Paris of 1783, which ended the American Revolution,, and...
more than a decade later. In the wake of Britain's formal acknowledgement of independence many Loyalists fled into exile, settling in other parts of the Empire and in Britain itself.
Later years
William tried without success to reconcile with his father through a letter sent on August 16, 1784. William saw his father one last time in 1785, when Benjamin stopped in Britain following his return to America from his time in France. The meeting was brief and involved tying up outstanding legal matters. On August 14, 1788 William married Mary Johnson d'Evelin.In his will, Benjamin Franklin left William virtually none of his wealth, except some territory in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
, stating that had Britain won the war, the elder Franklin would have had no wealth to leave to his son anyway. Although Benjamin addresses his autobiography to his son, he does not mention him further, except indirectly by the inclusion of a newspaper article in which Benjamin notes that his (then still in good standing) son may make contracts for the procurement of carts for the British army.
After a failed career in business in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, W. Temple Franklin
William Temple Franklin
William Temple Franklin was a British-born American diplomat and real estate speculator. He is best known for his involvement with the American diplomatic mission in France during the American Revolutionary War serving as secretary to his grandfather Benjamin Franklin that agreed the...
came to live in Europe where he was reunited with William. Temple would later work on the publication of the autobiography
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
written by Benjamin Franklin. William Franklin died in 1813, and is buried in St Pancras Old Church
St Pancras Old Church
St Pancras Old Church is a Church of England parish church in central London. It is believed to be one of the oldest sites of Christian worship in England, and is dedicated to the Roman martyr Saint Pancras, although the building itself is largely Victorian...
churchyard.
Legacy
Franklin Township in Bergen CountyBergen County, New Jersey
Bergen County is the most populous county of the state of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 905,116. The county is part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Hackensack...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, was named in William's honor, rather than for his father, as was the borough of Franklin Lakes
Franklin Lakes, New Jersey
Franklin Lakes is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 10,590. As of the 2000 Census, Franklin Lakes had the 18th-highest per-capita income of all 566 municipalities in the state. Nationwide, Franklin Lakes ranked 17th among the...
. Franklin Township
Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey
-Communities of Franklin Township:The following are census-designated places, unincorporated enclaves, and historical communities located within Franklin Township...
in Somerset County
Somerset County, New Jersey
Somerset County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. In 2010, the population was 323,444. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Somerville....
, New Jersey, site of the Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
Battle of Middlebush, was believed by many to also have been named for William, but no document exists to prove that. In 2000, the Franklin Township Council determined it should espouse the hypothesis that the Township was indeed named for Benjamin Franklin. Downe Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey was named after the maiden name of William's wife, Elizabeth. The "s" on Downes was dropped.
See also
- http://www.earlyamerica.com/lives/franklin/chapt1/
- Burlington CompanyBurlington CompanyThe Burlington Company was a group of eight investors involved in a variety of land transactions. The company was named after the town they all resided in, Burlington, New Jersey.- History :...
- Proprietary HouseProprietary HouseProprietary House in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, is the only Proprietary Governor's Mansion of the Original Thirteen Colonies still standing. Erected in 1762 in the Georgian style, it was occupied only temporarily by the royal governor, Benjamin Franklin's son William Franklin, before he was arrested...
- Willingboro, New Jersey
- Cumberland County, New JerseyCumberland County, New JerseyCumberland County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population is 156,898. Its county seat is Bridgeton. Cumberland County is named for Prince William, Duke of Cumberland....