Franklin Township, Bergen County, New Jersey (Historical)
Encyclopedia
Franklin Township was a township
that existed in Bergen County
, New Jersey
, United States
from 1771 until 1926.
Franklin Township was established by Royal Charter
on June 1, 1771, when Saddle River Township was subdivided. The Township was named after the colonial-era Governor of New Jersey William Franklin
, the illegitimate son of Benjamin Franklin
. By 1755, about 100 families lived in the Franklin Township area.
Pompton Township
was formed from portions of the township on April 10, 1797, ultimately becoming part of Passaic County
when it was created on February 7, 1837.
On April 9, 1849, Hohokus Township was created from the northern part of Franklin Township and extended from the Saddle River on the east to the western boundary of Bergen County with Passaic County
and north to the New York
border. On March 30, 1876, Ridgewood Township was created, consisting of the easternmost third of what remained of Franklin Township.
Franklin Township was further subdivided with the creation of Midland Park
(September 6, 1894), Oakland
(April 8, 1902) and Franklin Lakes
(seceded March 11, 1922). The size of Franklin Township decreased as areas seceded and were incorporated as independent municipalities.
After Franklin Lakes was established, Franklin Township consisted only of the area known locally as Wyckoff. On November 2, 1926, residents voted in a referendum (243 positive votes out of 337) to change the name from Franklin Township to become Township of Wyckoff
.
Township (New Jersey)
A township, in the context of New Jersey local government, refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government. As a political entity, a township is a full-fledged municipality, on par with any town, city, borough, or village, collecting property taxes and providing...
that existed in Bergen County
Bergen County, New Jersey
Bergen County is the most populous county of the state of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 905,116. The county is part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Hackensack...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
from 1771 until 1926.
Franklin Township was established by Royal Charter
Royal Charter
A royal charter is a formal document issued by a monarch as letters patent, granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. They were, and are still, used to establish significant organizations such as cities or universities. Charters should be distinguished from warrants and...
on June 1, 1771, when Saddle River Township was subdivided. The Township was named after the colonial-era Governor of New Jersey William Franklin
William Franklin
William Franklin 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...
, the illegitimate son of Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
. By 1755, about 100 families lived in the Franklin Township area.
Pompton Township
Pompton Township, New Jersey
Pompton Township is a defunct township in Passaic County, New Jersey.-History:It was originally formed on April 10, 1797, from portions of Saddle River Township and Franklin Township in Bergen County, and incorporated on February 21, 1798....
was formed from portions of the township on April 10, 1797, ultimately becoming part of Passaic County
Passaic County, New Jersey
Passaic County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 501,226. Its county seat is Paterson...
when it was created on February 7, 1837.
On April 9, 1849, Hohokus Township was created from the northern part of Franklin Township and extended from the Saddle River on the east to the western boundary of Bergen County with Passaic County
Passaic County, New Jersey
Passaic County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 501,226. Its county seat is Paterson...
and north to the New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
border. On March 30, 1876, Ridgewood Township was created, consisting of the easternmost third of what remained of Franklin Township.
Franklin Township was further subdivided with the creation of Midland Park
Midland Park, New Jersey
Midland Park is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 7,128....
(September 6, 1894), Oakland
Oakland, New Jersey
Oakland is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 12,754.Oakland was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 8, 1902, from portions of Franklin Township.-History:The Van Allen House...
(April 8, 1902) and Franklin Lakes
Franklin Lakes, New Jersey
Franklin Lakes is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 10,590. As of the 2000 Census, Franklin Lakes had the 18th-highest per-capita income of all 566 municipalities in the state. Nationwide, Franklin Lakes ranked 17th among the...
(seceded March 11, 1922). The size of Franklin Township decreased as areas seceded and were incorporated as independent municipalities.
After Franklin Lakes was established, Franklin Township consisted only of the area known locally as Wyckoff. On November 2, 1926, residents voted in a referendum (243 positive votes out of 337) to change the name from Franklin Township to become Township of Wyckoff
Wyckoff, New Jersey
Wyckoff is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 16,696. As of the 2000 Census, Wyckoff ranked 54th in 100 highest-income places in the United States...
.
Sources
- "History of Bergen County, New Jersey, 1630-1923;" by "Westervelt, Frances A. (Frances Augusta), 1858-1942."
- "Municipal Incorporations of the State of New Jersey (according to Counties)" prepared by the Division of Local Government, Department of the Treasury (New Jersey); December 1, 1958.