William Franklin (1731-1813)

William Franklin (1731 – November 16, 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. William Franklin (detail of 1790 portrait by Mather Brown) The two-dimensional work of art depicted in this image is in the public domain in the United States and in those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 100 years. ... William Franklin (detail of 1790 portrait by Mather Brown) The two-dimensional work of art depicted in this image is in the public domain in the United States and in those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 100 years. ... November 16 is the 320th day of the year (321st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 45 days remaining. ... 1813 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Governor of New Jersey is the chief executive of the U.S. state of New Jersey. ... Loyalists (often capitalized L) were British North American colonists who remained loyal subjects of the British crown during the American Revolution. ... Combatants American Revolutionaries, France, Netherlands, Spain, Native Americans Great Britain, German mercenaries, Loyalists, Native Americans Commanders George Washington, Comte de Rochambeau, Nathanael Greene William Howe, Henry Clinton, Charles Cornwallis (more commanders) The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the American War of Independence,[1] was a conflict that... Patriots (also known as Partisans, or Rebels) were British North American colonists who rebelled against the Crown during the American Revolution and established the independent states that became the United States of America. ...

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. He accompanied his father on several missions, including his trips to England. Flag Seal Nickname: City of Brotherly Love, Philly, the Quaker City Motto: Philadelphia maneto (Let brotherly love continue) Location Location in Pennsylvania Coordinates , Government Country  State   County United States  Pennsylvania   Philadelphia Founded Incorporated October 27, 1682 October 25, 1701 Mayor John F. Street (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 369. ... Benjamin Franklin by Jean-Baptiste Greuze 1777 Benjamin Franklin (January 17 [O.S. January 6] 1706 – April 17, 1790) was one of the most prominent of the Founders and early political figures, inventor, and a statesmen of the United States. ... Common-law marriage (or common law marriage), sometimes called informal marriage or marriage by habit and repute is, historically, a form of interpersonal status in which a man and a woman are legally married. ... Deborah Read was the spouse of Benjamin Franklin, a prominent inventor, printer, thinker, and revolutionary. ... Motto: Dieu et mon droit (Royal motto; French for God and my right) 3 Anthem: God Save the Queen 4 Capital London Most populous conurbation London Official language(s) None at a national level. ...

Though often depicted as a young child, William was 21 years old in 1752. William joined the Pennsylvania Company and fought in Albany in the French and Indian War eventually obtaining the rank of Captain. [2] [3]. He completed his education in England, and was admitted to the bar. William and Ben Franklin were partners and confidantes, working together to pursue land grants in the Midwest. The Pennsylvania Company was a major holding company, owning and operating much of the Lines West territory (west of Pittsburgh and Erie, Pennsylvania) of the Pennsylvania Railroad, including the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway, the PRRs main route to Chicago, Illinois. ... Flag Seal Location Location in Albany County and the State of New York Coordinates , Government Country   State     County United States   New York     Albany Founded Incorporated 1614 1686 Mayor Gerald D. Jennings Geographical characteristics Area     City 56. ... The conflict resulted in Frances loss of most of its possessions in North America. ... The Midwest is a common name for a region of the United States of America. ...

William married Elizabeth Downes on September 4, 1762 and had one illegitimate son, William Temple (mother unknown), who, by mutual decision, was raised by Ben Franklin. September 4 is the 247th day of the year (248th in leap years). ... 1762 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

When the family returned from England in 1763, he carried a commission from George III to be the Colonial 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. George III (George William Frederick) (4 June 1738–29 January 1820) was King of Great Britain, and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until 1 January 1801, and thereafter King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death. ... Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is the largest institution for higher education in the U.S. state of New Jersey. ...

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 Ben 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. Founding Fathers are persons instrumental not only in the establishment (founding) of a political institution, but also in the origination of the idea of the institution. ...

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[4], he fled to New York City which was still occupied by the British. He left with other Loyalists for England in 1782[5], never to return. William would see his father one last time in 1785 when Ben stopped in Britain following Ben's return from a trip to France. Flag Seal Nickname: Big Apple Location Location in the state of New York Government Counties (Boroughs) Bronx (The Bronx) New York (Manhattan) Queens (Queens) Kings (Brooklyn) Richmond (Staten Island) Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,214. ... Loyalists (often capitalized L) were British North American colonists who remained loyal subjects of the British crown during the American Revolution. ... 1785 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

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. Neither does Benjamin mention his son in his autobiography except indirectly by the inclusion of a newspaper article in which Ben notes that his (then still in good standing) son may make contracts for the procurement of carts for the British army.[6]

William Franklin died in 1813, never having reconciled with his father.

Franklin Township, in Bergen County, 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 theory that the Township was indeed named for Benjamin Franklin. Franklin Township existed in Bergen County, New Jersey and was established in 1771, when Saddle River Township was subdivided. ... Bergen County is the most populous county of the state of New Jersey, United States. ... Map highlighting Franklin Lakes location within Bergen County. ... Franklin Township is a township located in Somerset County, New Jersey. ... Somerset County is a county located in the state of New Jersey. ... Combatants American Revolutionaries, France, Netherlands, Spain, Native Americans Great Britain, German mercenaries, Loyalists, Native Americans Commanders George Washington, Comte de Rochambeau, Nathanael Greene William Howe, Henry Clinton, Charles Cornwallis (more commanders) The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the American War of Independence,[1] was a conflict that...

External link

• Biography of William Franklin