A Bitter Family Split in the Face of Revolution

Benjamin Franklin’s eldest son, William, chose a different path than his father. While Benjamin Franklin fought tirelessly for American independence, William Franklin remained loyal to the British Crown. This civil war within the Franklin family is a microcosm of the American Revolution, a conflict that would ultimately shape the course of history.

William Franklin’s story is a poignant reminder that the American Revolution was not a simple tale of patriots versus the British Empire. Rather, it was a complex and multifaceted conflict that pitted friends and family members against one another. As historian Daniel Mark Epstein notes, ‘the American Revolution was an ongoing event, and we are still living it today.’

The Franklin family’s complicated history with the Revolution began in the 1760s, when Benjamin Franklin was serving as a representative of Pennsylvania’s colonial government in London. His son William, who was studying law at the time, remained in America, where he became the governor of New Jersey in 1763. However, as tensions between the colonies and Great Britain continued to escalate, William Franklin found himself increasingly at odds with his father.

Benjamin Franklin’s return to Philadelphia in 1775 marked a turning point in the family’s relationship. While the elder Franklin backed growing calls for independence, William Franklin remained loyal to the Crown. The two men’s disagreements ultimately led to a bitter split, with William Franklin being arrested by the emerging American government’s forces in January 1776. He was imprisoned until October 1778, spending much of that time in solitary confinement.

After his release, William Franklin became a leader of the loyalist community in New York City. He sailed for London in 1782, where he would remain for the rest of his life. Despite having only one brief meeting with his father between his arrest and Benjamin Franklin’s death in 1790, William Franklin never wavered in his loyalty to the British Crown.

The Franklin family’s story is a cautionary tale for modern America, where the ease of access to guns and the decline of educational standards have contributed to a culture of anger and confrontation. As historian James Taub notes, ‘the American Revolution is an ongoing event, and we are still living it today.’ By understanding the complexities of the Revolutionary era, we can better appreciate the unique circumstances that led to the creation of the Declaration of Independence and the enduring legacy of the American Revolution.

A Legacy of Conflict and Division

The American Revolution was a conflict that pitted friends and family members against one another. The Franklin family’s story is a poignant reminder of the human cost of war and the enduring legacy of conflict and division. As we reflect on the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, we are reminded that the struggle for freedom and independence is an ongoing event that continues to shape our world today.