Person:William Franklin (18)

William Franklin
d.16 Nov 1813 London, England
  1. William Franklin1730 - 1813
  • HWilliam Franklin1730 - 1813
  1. Sarah Ann Franklin1778 - 1874
m. 4 Sep 1762
  1. William Temple Franklin1762 - 1823
Facts and Events
Name William Franklin
Gender Male
Birth? 1730 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Marriage to Unknown
Marriage 4 Sep 1762 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United Statesto Elizabeth Downes
Death? 16 Nov 1813 London, England
Reference Number? Q4020008?


the text in this section is copied from an article in Wikipedia

William Franklin (22 February 1730 – 17 November 1813) was an American-born attorney, soldier, politician, and colonial administrator. He was the acknowledged illegitimate son of Benjamin Franklin. William Franklin was the last colonial Governor of New Jersey (1763–1776), and a steadfast Loyalist throughout the American Revolutionary War. (In contrast, his father Benjamin was one of the most prominent of the Patriot leaders of the American Revolution and a Founding Father of the United States.)

Following imprisonment by Patriots in 1776 to 1778, William became the chief leader of the Loyalists. From his base in New York City, he organized military units to fight on the British side. In 1782, he went into exile in Britain. He lived in London until his death.

Generally considered the illegitimate son of Benjamin Franklin and an unknown mother, but was raised by Benjamin and his common-law wife Deborah Read, and there is some speculation that he really was their son and the circumstances of his birth were obscured.

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References
  1.   William Franklin, in Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia.