William Franklin

William Franklin

Background: William Frankling was born in Philadelphia and was the illegitimate son of Benjaming Franklin a well known Patriot and a leading figure in the city. William joined a company of Pensylvania provincial troops in 1746 and obtained the rank of captain in 1747. He completed his law education in England and was working with his father (Benjamiing Frankling) to pursue land grants. Before William left he was working with the prime ministerer Lord Bute and then in 1763 he was appointed as a Royal Governoer of New Jersey. Even though his father's role as a Founding Father and Williams's loyalty to Britain caused the raltionship of father and son to take on different paths. He continiued as a governor until January 1776, when colonial militiamen placed him under house arrest which then Frankling was formally taken into custody after the Declaration of Independence.

Quotes: In the book, Benjamin and William Franklin by Sheila L. Skemp, the author describes how Loyalist like William Frankling thought the patriots were plunging the colonies into chaos from which they would never recover. William Franklin stated, "No Office or Honour in the Power of the Crown to bestow, will ever influence me to forget or neglect the Duty I owe my Country [meaning the colony of New Jersey], nor the most furious Rage of the most intemperate Zealots induce me to swerve from the Duty I owe His Majesty." (Skemp 38). The author also highlights William Franklins last letter to his assembly describing pursuit of happiness based on what type of governemnt the colonies should follow. "Depend upon it," said William Franklin, "you can never place yourself in a happier situation than in your ancient constituitonal dependency on Great Britain. No Independent State ever was or ever can be so happy as we have been, and might still be, under that government." (Skemp 38). Similarly in the book, The Loyalists by Christopher Moore, the author also describes William Frankling's ideology of what a citizen must follow for him/her to feel contendness."'Prosperity and Happiness' could only be assured by their 'truly dutiful behavior' to sovereign 'from whom they devire protection in the enjoyment of their liberties and properties.'"(Moore 42).