William Franklin
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William Franklin (1731-December 13, 1813) was the last Colonial Governor of New Jersey. William was a steadfast Loyalist throughout the Revolutionary War, despite his father's role as one of the most prominent Patriots during the conflict, a difference that tore the two apart.
He was born in Philadelphia, the illegitimate son of Benjamin Franklin. His mother's identity is unknown though evidence suggests she was a "Low Woman",[1]. He was raised by his father and his common-law wife Deborah Read. (Franklin is alleged to have had other children by various mistresses, including several born during his time as ambassador to France during the Revolutionary War.) He accompanied his father on several missions, including his trips to England. Although often depicted as a young child, William was 21 years old in 1752, when he assisted his father in the famed kite experiment.
William joined the Pennsylvania Company and fought in Albany in the French and Indian War eventually obtaining the rank of Captain. 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 another Elizabeth - Elizabeth Downes - 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. As Governor, William Franklin signed the charter for Queen's College, which would evolve into Rutgers University.
Owing to his father's pivotal role as a Founding Father of the American Revolution and William's loyalty to Britain, the relationship between father and son was strained to say the least. When Benjamin finally decided to take up the patriot's 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 by the rebels in 1776. For two years, he was held as a prisoner of war. When finally released in 1778[2], he fled to New York City, which was still occupied by the British. Active in the Loyalist community of New York, Franklin played a role in the hanging of Joshua Huddy. In 1782, Franklin left with other loyalists for England [1], never to return. William would see his father one last time in 1785, when Benjamin stopped in Britain following his return from a trip to France.
In his will, Benjamin Franklin left William virtually none of his wealth, stating that had England won the war, the elder Franklin would have had no wealth to leave to his son anyway[3]. Neither does Benjamin mention his son in his autobiography 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[4].
William Franklin died in 1813, having reconciled with his father through a letter sent on August 16 1784.
Franklin Township, in Bergen County, New Jersey was named in his 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 have been named for him, though the Franklin Township Council determined in 2000 to espouse the hypothesis that the Township was indeed named for Benjamin Franklin.
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| Preceded by Josiah Hardy |
Governor of New Jersey Last Colonial Governor 1763 – 1776 Last Royal Governor |
Succeeded by William Livingston First Revolutionary Governor |
