High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! William Franklin (ca. 1730 – November 17, 1813) was an American soldier and colonial administrator. He served as the last Colonial Governor of New Jersey. Franklin was a steadfast Loyalist throughout the American War of Independence, despite his father Benjamin Franklin`s role as one of the most prominent Patriots during the conflict, a difference that tore the two apart. In 1782 he went into exile in Britain, where he remained until his death.