Benjamin Franklin's son, William Franklin, became the last colonial governor of New Jersey and a staunch Loyalist during the American Revolution, leading to a profound and irreconcilable estrangement from his Patriot father.
William Franklin, born around 1730, was Benjamin Franklin's only surviving son and initially served as his father's secretary and companion, accompanying him on diplomatic missions to England. Despite their close early relationship and shared intellectual pursuits, their paths diverged dramatically with the onset of the American Revolution.
A Loyal Governor and a Divided Family
As the American colonies moved towards independence, William Franklin's unwavering loyalty to the British Crown placed him in direct opposition to his father's revolutionary ideals.
- Colonial Governor: Appointed as the Royal Governor of New Jersey in 1763, William remained committed to British rule, even as his father became a leading figure in the independence movement.
- Political Imprisonment: His refusal to renounce his allegiance to Britain led to his arrest by American Patriots in 1776. He was imprisoned for several years, enduring harsh conditions.
- Exile to Britain: Following a prisoner exchange in 1778, William departed for New York and eventually sailed to England in 1782, where he lived out the remainder of his life.
The Irreparable Rift
The political chasm between father and son proved to be an insurmountable obstacle to their personal relationship. Benjamin Franklin considered his son's loyalty to the Crown a personal betrayal and a betrayal of the American cause.
| Event | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Reconciliation Attempt | 1784 | Benjamin Franklin attempted to reconcile with his son via a letter, but William's reply was notably cool. |
| Final Meeting | 1785 | They met for the last time in a brief encounter primarily focused on financial matters. |
| William's Death | 1813 | William Franklin remained in London for the rest of his life and passed away there. |
This deep-seated political disagreement ultimately overshadowed any familial bond, leading to one of the most poignant personal tragedies of the American Revolution. William Franklin never returned to America, nor did he fully reconcile with his father before Benjamin's death in 1790. His later life in London was marked by his continued loyalty to the British cause and his separation from his former life in America.
For more details on William Franklin's life and career, you can refer to historical archives and biographies, such as those found on reputable sites like the National Archives.
