Sense being preferable to sound: the Franklin Connection
On February 27, 1778, a draft of the petition for the incorporation of a new town was submitted to the Massachusetts legislature. It was to be named Exeter, as most of the town’s inhabitants came from Exeter in Devonshire, England. As it was a draft, many changes were made by the slash of a pen, all minor, except for one – a change in the proposed name. Above the now inked out “Exeter” was written the town’s newly chosen name of “Franklin”. On March 2, 1778, the Massachusetts General Court approved the incorporation, establishing Franklin as the first municipality to take the name of the celebrated founder of the new nation.
But why “Franklin”? By this time there were many great national heroes to choose from, including George Washington. Nineteenth-century Franklin historian, Mortimer Blake speculated that it was Benjamin Franklin’s diplomatic prowess, and the signing of the Treaty with France on January 6, 1778 that prompted the unexpected change. But news of the Treaty was still on March 2nd when the vote of incorporation occurred.
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The true reason for the town’s founders honoring Dr. Franklin is explained in this letter, dated January 15, 1784, to Benjamin Franklin from his nephew, Boston merchant Jonathan Williams, Sr.
Honored Sir
I hope you will excuse me, for the Liberty I take in advising you, of the Town of Franklin, and how it Came to be thus Named, apart of the people of wrentham which Town was too Large, a parish of 40 years Standing prefered a petition to the General Court 1778 at the very time, that we or they, heard that you was Assasinated, in Commeration of Doctr Franklin the people there unanimous, in Nameing there Town by the Name of Franklin, which Name and Person they highly Esteemed.
In 1778, Benjamin Franklin was deep into his diplomatic mission in France, which, on the surface, did not seem particularly dangerous—nightly soirées with the Parisian rich and famous, an audience with the King at Versailles, intellectual salons with philosophers & scientists—but behind all of these social events were the negotiations for money, soldiers, and munitions from the French to support the Revolution. The British ambassador to France, Lord Stormont, was keenly aware of this and his network of spies were watching Franklin’s every move.
Whether it was British propaganda to demoralize the American colonies, or an actual plan that was never executed we may never know, but the rumor of an assassination attempt on Benjamin Franklin was on it’s way to Boston at the exact same time as the Articles of Incorporation for the new town of “Exeter” was on it’s way to the Massachusetts General Court. Upon hearing this terrible news, the town’s representatives made the impulsive, but heartfelt decision to memorialize the fallen patriot by changing “Exeter” to “Franklin”.
The most important building in any Colonial New England town was the meetinghouse. That’s where the citizens gathered for everything, including Sunday worship. Six years after its founding, the growing Town of Franklin was building a new meetinghouse, and that meetinghouse needed a bell, so the crossing of paths of some prominent Franklin citizens with Benjamin Franklin’s nephew was very fortuitous, indeed. Jonathan Williams’ 1784 letter to his uncle Benjamin continues:
...the Town or people are Now about Boulding a New Meeting House, and I find they would Bould a Stepel if they had a prospect of Getting a Bell. I happn’d to be in Company with two of the most respect abled of the Committe, they Express a wish that Doctr Franklin Would present them a Bell, as it would be received by the Town from him in preference to anybody in the World. I find the house is to be 60 foot Long, 42 foot Wide, about 26 foot high. Franklin Town is 25 Miles from Boston in the Way to providence – as I don’t know whether you will think proper to take Notice of this Letter therefore I Shall Say Nothing about it. We are Well my Love to Benny. I am as Ever Your Dutiful Nephew
Jona Williams
Franklin, though, had other ideas. On March 18, 1785, he wrote to Dr. Richard Price, Welsh philosopher, mathematician, and close political and personal friend of Franklin’s. This letter set in motion the creation and gift of a small library that would further seal the town’s bond with Dr. Franklin.
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Passy, Mar. 18. 1785.
My dear Friend,
My Nephew, Mr. Williams, will have the honour of delivering you this Line. It is to request from you a List of a few good Books to the Value of about Twenty-five Pounds, such as are most proper to inculcate Principles of sound Religion and just Government. A new Town in the State of Massachusetts, having done me the honour of naming itself after me, and proposing to build a Steeple to their Meeting House if I would give them a Bell, I have advis’d the sparing themselves the Expence of a Steeple at present, and that they would accept of Books instead of a Bell, Sense being preferable to Sound. These are therefore intended as the Commencement of a little Parochial Library, for the Use of a Society of intelligent respectable Farmers, such as our Country People generally consist of. Besides your own Works I would only mention, on the Recommendation of my Sister, Stennet’s Discourses on personal Religion, which may be one Book of the Number, if you know it and approve of it. With the highest Esteem and Respect, I am ever, my dear Friend, Yours most affectionately
B Franklin
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Price created a list and the library, which contained the works of the period’s most renowned thinkers, including those of Dr. Price himself, arrived in Franklin sometime in June of 1786. Benjamin Franklin received an effusive letter of thanks from the town’s pastor, Nathanael Emmons, on behalf of his parishioners:
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Franklin June 22d. 1786.
Sir,
We beg leave to present to your Execellency, our most grateful Acknowledgments, for the very handsom Parish Library, which You have been pleased to bestow upon the Minister and the Parishioners of this Town, as a particular mark of your approbation and regard. This choice and valuable Collection of Books, your Excellency will permit us to say, not only flatters our Understanding and Taste, but displays the brightest feature in your great and amiable Character. We only regret, that Modesty should deny us the celebrated Productions of the greatest Phylosopher and Politician in America. Since Providence hitherto hath delighted to smile on all your great and noble Efforts, we cannot but hope, your generous exertion to diffuse useful and divine Knowledge among us, will be productive of the happiest effects, and completely answer your warmest wishes. May all the seeds of Science, which You have sown in this, and various other parts of the world, grow up into a living Laurel, to adorn your illustrious Head in the Temple of Fame. And, in the meantime, may the sincere and affectionate Esteem of this Town, as well as the accumulated Honours, which You have merited and received from the united Republics of Liberty and of Letters, serve to smooth the last Passages of your eminently useful and important Life. We have the honour to be, with the deepest Gratitude and Respect, your Excellency’s most obliged, and most obedient, humble Servants.
By Order,
Nathanael Emmons
Hezekiah Fisher
The newly established Franklin Library had a bumpy start. Rev. Emmons strongly believed that the gift of books was meant for the parishioners of the Congregational Church, not for all of the citizens of Franklin. Four years and many contentious town meetings passed before Emmons would agree to circulate the books to all Franklin residents. He would maintain possession of the books, and they would reside in a bookcase along side the parish library in the front room of the Reverend’s home, Franklin gift of books circulating to everyone, parish library for church members only. America’s first free lending library was finally established in the year 1790.
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Author’s note:
As of this writing, no copy of the original list created by Price has been found, and the only record that exists is a pamphlet, published in 1812—a catalog of both the Franklin donation and the parish library. This is likely the creation of Rev. Nathanael Emmons, although no author is listed. After more than twenty years of handling, the two libraries most certainly became intermingled, and neither list is entirely accurate. In fact, several of the books listed as part of the Franklin donation were published several years after its arrival in 1786.
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