Born in Poole, England, Francklin immigrated to Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1752. He worked as a trader and merchant, initially in association with Joshua Maugher.
Capture
During Father Le Loutre's War, Michael Francklin was captured by a Mi'kmaw raiding party in 1754 and held captive for three months in which he learned the Mi'kmaw language and developed an appreciation for native culture.[1]
In the early 1770s, he was responsible for bringing about the Yorkshire Emigration. He also played an important role in assisting the return of Acadians after the Expulsion of the Acadians by guaranteeing Catholic worship, land grants and a promise that there would be no second expulsion.
He established the Shubenacadie reserve in 1779.[2]
Family
On February 7, 1762, Francklin married Susannah Boutineau (b. 1740). Susannah died at Windsor, Nova Scotia, April 19, 1816 in her 76th year and is buried at the Old Parish Burying Grounds. She was the daughter of Joseph and Susannah (Faneuil) Boutineau, and granddaughter of Benjamin Faneuil.[3]
Susannah and Michael had the following children:[3]
James Boutineau, born July 31, 1763. Clerk to the House of Assembly for 42 years.
Elizabeth Mauger, born September 3, 1764. died 1817. Second Wife of Rev. William Colsel King
Susannah, born August 23, 1765. m (1) . Benjamin Davis of Pennsylvania, m (2)
Ann, born August 31, 1767.
Joshua Mauger, born September 1, 1869
Michael Nickleson, born August 20, 1773. Went to India, but subsequently entered business with relatives in London and died there in 1830. [2]
John Robinson, born July 6, 1774.
George Sackville Germain, born January 15, 1777. Studied law at Quebec. Died 8th Oct 1799 at Windsor while on a visit to friends. [3]
The Francklins long made their chief home at Windsor, and were among the most active supporters of the Anglican Church in that town. Lieutenant-Governor Francklin gave the land for the parish church (Christ Church) and churchyard at Windsor, and Mrs. Francklin gave, April 28, 1801, an acre of land opposite the church for a parsonage, and in 1815 a complete set of service books, including a handsomely-bound folio Bible, for use in public worship.[3][4]
namesake of Francklyn Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia[5]
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