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The history of Franklin Township and the Raritan Valley was largely influenced by the Dutch settlers who came
about 1650. They settled in this area by trading and bargaining for land with the Raritan Indians.
Named after Benjamin Franklin's son, William, the governor of New Jersey from 1762-66, Franklin Township was
very much a part of the Revolutionary War history and the scene of many raiding parties along Route 27, known then
as the Kings Highway. In fact, two British generals, Cornwallis and DeHeister, tried to lure General Washington
into battle on the plains of Middlebush and East Millstone. Washington, however, kept his troops at Chimney Rock
just north of Franklin until the British withdrew. Several of the prosperous Middlebush farms were destroyed by
the English soldiers during their retreat. Washingten's farewell address was delivered to his army in Little Rocky
Hill in 1783.
One of the most important developments for Franklin was the building ofthe Delaware and Raritan Canal in 1834.
Twenty-two miles of this continuous water route from New York to Philadelphia runs through the Township. During
the Civil War up to 200,000 tons of freight were hauled by mule and horse-drawn barges, a great economic boon for
the area. The building of the railroads led to the decline of this once-successful mode of transportation. Today
the canal is a source of drinking water and provides recreation for area residents and visitors to the Delaware
and Raritan Canal State Park.
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