Michael Francklin or Franklin (6 December 1733 – 8 November 1782) served as Nova Scotia's Lieutenant Governor from 1766 to 1772. He is buried in the crypt of St. Paul's Church (Halifax).

Early life and immigration

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.

Political career

Francklin represented Lunenburg County from 1759 to 1760 and Halifax County from 1761 to 1762 in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. In May of 1762, he was named to the Nova Scotia Council. 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.

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. Susannah and Michael had the following children:

Death

On  the  8th  of November,  1782,  while arranging  with  several of  the  Indian chiefs,  about winter  supplies  of blankets  and  clothing, in  his office  on Granville  St.,  just north  of  the Army  and  Navy Depot; he  suddenly  and without  a  moment's warning  expired in  the 62nd  year  of his  age,  deeply regretted  by  every citizen of  Halifax. He was  given  a grand  public  funeral which  took place  on the  nth  of November,  1782,  and was  buried  in St. Paul's  in  a vault  at  the left  of  the altar. Over  200  Indians followed  his  coffin to  the  church, chanting  the  death song  of the  Micmacs. His  funeral  and the  chanting  of the  Indians was  long remembered  in  Halifax, and  among  the stories  of  the olden time  in  our city,  there  was no  description  more vivid  or interesting  than the  weird  wail of  the  savages, as  they  at  his burial  mourned  their friend  and  protector.

Legacy

The Francklin's 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.