Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey
Franklin Township, New Jersey | |
---|---|
Township | |
Township of Franklin | |
House in King's Highway Historic District | |
Map of Franklin Township in Somerset County. Inset: Location of Somerset County highlighted in the State of New Jersey. | |
Census Bureau map of Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey | |
Coordinates: 40°28′37″N 74°33′02″W / 40.476872°N 74.550447°WCoordinates: 40°28′37″N 74°33′02″W / 40.476872°N 74.550447°W[1][2] | |
Country | United States |
State | New Jersey |
County | Somerset |
Formed as Eastern precinct | c. 1745 |
Incorporated | February 21, 1798 |
Named for | Benjamin Franklin |
Government[3] | |
• Type | Faulkner Act (Council-Manager) |
• Body | Township Council |
• Mayor | Phillip Kramer (D, term ends December 31, 2019)[4][5] |
• Manager | Robert G. Vornlocker, Jr.[6] |
• Clerk | Ann McCarthy[7] |
Area[1] | |
• Total | 46.846 sq mi (121.330 km2) |
• Land | 46.147 sq mi (119.520 km2) |
• Water | 0.699 sq mi (1.810 km2) 1.49% |
Area rank |
37th of 565 in state 2nd of 21 in county[1] |
Elevation[8] | 62 ft (19 m) |
Population (2010 Census)[9][10][11] | |
• Total | 62,300 |
• Estimate (2015)[12] | 66,158 |
• Rank |
22nd of 565 in state 1st of 21 in county[13] |
• Density | 1,350.0/sq mi (521.2/km2) |
• Density rank |
350th of 565 in state 9th of 21 in county[13] |
Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
• Summer (DST) | Eastern (EDT) (UTC-4) |
ZIP codes |
08873, 08875 - Somerset (also used as East Millstone)[14] 08528 - Kingston[15] 08823 - Franklin Park[16] 08540 - Princeton[17] 08890 - Zarephath[18][19] |
Area code(s) | 732, 908 and 609[20] |
FIPS code | 3403524900[1][21][22] |
GNIS feature ID | 0882170[1][23] |
Website |
www |
Franklin Township is a township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 62,300,[9][10][11] reflecting an increase of 11,397 (+22.4%) from the 50,903 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 8,123 (+19.0%) from the 42,780 counted in the 1990 Census.[24]
Traditionally a farming community, it has become a fast-growing suburb with massive development in the later 20th and 21st centuries as a diverse blend of races, religions and cultures. In 2008, Franklin Township ranked #5 on Money magazine's list of America's Top 100 Best Places to Live.[25]
What is now Franklin Township was originally formed circa 1745 as Eastern precinct. Franklin Township was incorporated on February 21, 1798, as one of New Jersey's initial group of 104 townships by an act of the New Jersey Legislature. Portions of the township were taken to form South Bound Brook (formed within Township, became independent municipality as of April 11, 1907) and East Millstone (February 18, 1873, returned to Franklin Township on December 31, 1949).[26]
History
It has been unclear if the township was named for founding father Benjamin Franklin or for his illegitimate son William Franklin, a Loyalist and the last Royal Governor of New Jersey (from 1763 to 1776). In 2000, after considering the evidence set forth by William B. Brahms in his books Images of America: Franklin Township (1997)[27] and Franklin Township, Somerset County, NJ: A History,[28] and The Case for William Franklin and The Case for Benjamin Franklin, the Township Council chose the theory that the township was indeed named for Benjamin Franklin.[29][30]
Franklin Township was very much a part of Revolutionary War history and the scene of many raiding parties along Route 27, then known as the King's Highway. Two British generals, Cornwallis and DeHeister, tried to lure General George Washington and his Continental Army 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 British soldiers during their retreat. In 1777, near the mill on the Millstone River at Weston, the Continental Army and local militia engaged and successfully drove off a British foraging party of about 600 troops, sent out of New Brunswick by General Cornwallis. In 1783, Washington composed his farewell address to his army while staying at Rockingham near Kingston, New Jersey.[31]
The construction of the Delaware and Raritan Canal in the 1830s, stretching 22 miles (35 km) to connect New York City and Philadelphia, led to significant growth in the township, with as much as 200,000 tons of goods shipped on barges using the canal by the 1860s. The rise of shipping commercial goods using railroads led to a substantial decline in canal traffic.[32] The area has been restored as the.[33]
The Van Wickle House, located next to the Delaware and Raritan Canal in the Somerset section of the township, in between New Brunswick and South Bound Brook, was built in 1722 by Dutch settlers and is now owned by Franklin Township and leased by The Meadows Foundation. Set back behind Easton Avenue, the home adjoins the Rutgers Preparatory School and a Revolutionary War-era graveyard.[34]
Passenger and freight railroad service was available in Franklin Township during the later half of the 19th century via the Millstone and New Brunswick Railroad (M&NB) which opened in 1854. The railroad was built and operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR), from a junction with the PRR mainline at Jersey Avenue in New Brunswick to East Millstone. The M&NB is now known as the Conrail Millstone Secondary Branch. The branch line is still operated by Conrail up to just west of Clyde Road in Somerset, serving local industry in the industrial section of Somerset.[35]
In 1922, the infamous Hall-Mills Murder took place in Franklin Township, in the area adjacent to New Brunswick known as Somerset.[36]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 46.846 square miles (121.330 km2), including 46.147 square miles (119.520 km2) of land and 0.699 square miles (1.810 km2) of water (1.49%).[1][2]
The community is approximately 75% rural.[37]
The township borders the municipalities of Bridgewater Township, Hillsborough Township, Manville, Millstone, Montgomery Township, Rocky Hill and South Bound Brook in Somerset County; Princeton in Mercer County; New Brunswick, North Brunswick Township, Piscataway Township and South Brunswick Township in Middlesex County.[38]
Communities
The following are unincorporated communities and census-designated places (CDPs) located within Franklin Township:[39][40][41]
- Blackwells Mills (2010 CDP population of 803)[42]
- Clyde (2010 CDP population of 213)[43]
- East Franklin (2010 CDP population of 8,669)[44]
- East Millstone (2010 CDP population of 579)[45]
- East Rocky Hill (2010 CDP population of 469)[46]
- Franklin Center (2010 CDP population of 4,460)[47]
- Franklin Park (2010 CDP population of 13,295)[48]
- Griggstown (2010 CDP population of 819)[49]
- Kingston - officially designated as a Village Center by the New Jersey State Planning Commission. The Kingston Village Advisory Committee, jointly appointed by the Councils of Franklin and South Brunswick Townships, advises Franklin on matters of concern to Kingston's citizens. (2010 CDP population of 271 for portion in Franklin Township)[50]
- Middlebush (2010 CDP population of 2,326)[51]
- Pleasant Plains (2010 CDP population of 922)[52]
- Six Mile Run (2010 CDP population of 3,184)[53]
- Somerset (2010 CDP population of 22,083)[54]
- Ten Mile Run (2010 CDP population of 1,959)[55]
- Voorhees CDP (2010 CDP population of 976)[56]
- Weston (2010 CDP population of 1,235)[57]
- Zarephath, religious community in western part of the township, centered around the Pillar of Fire Church (2010 CDP population of 37)[58]
Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Hamilton Park and Rockingham.[59]
Demographics
Historical population | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1790 | 2,068 | — | |
1810 | 2,539 | — | |
1820 | 3,071 | 21.0% | |
1830 | 3,352 | 9.2% | |
1840 | 3,878 | 15.7% | |
1850 | 3,062 | −21.0% | |
1860 | 3,599 | 17.5% | |
1870 | 3,912 | 8.7% | |
1880 | 3,147 | * | −19.6% |
1890 | 2,478 | −21.3% | |
1900 | 2,398 | −3.2% | |
1910 | 2,395 | * | −0.1% |
1920 | 2,955 | 23.4% | |
1930 | 5,675 | 92.0% | |
1940 | 5,912 | 4.2% | |
1950 | 9,601 | * | 62.4% |
1960 | 19,858 | 106.8% | |
1970 | 30,389 | 53.0% | |
1980 | 31,358 | 3.2% | |
1990 | 42,780 | 36.4% | |
2000 | 50,903 | 19.0% | |
2010 | 62,300 | 22.4% | |
Est. 2015 | 66,158 | [12][60] | 6.2% |
Population sources: 1790-1920[61] 1840[62] 1850-1870[63] 1850[64] 1870[65] 1880-1890[66] 1890-1910[67] 1910-1930[68] 1920-1940[69] 1930-1990[70] 2000[71][72] 2010[9][10][11] * = Territory change in previous decade.[26] |
Census 2010
At the 2010 United States Census, there were 62,300 people, 23,301 households, and 15,938 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,350.0 per square mile (521.2/km2). There were 24,426 housing units at an average density of 529.3 per square mile (204.4/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 44.76% (27,887) White, 26.55% (16,539) Black or African American, 0.29% (183) Native American, 19.98% (12,450) Asian, 0.01% (9) Pacific Islander, 5.11% (3,183) from other races, and 3.29% (2,049) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 12.92% (8,050) of the population.[9]
There were 23,301 households, of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.19.[9]
In the township, 22.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.3 years. For every 100 females there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.5 males.[9]
The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $89,992 (with a margin of error of +/- $2,918) and the median family income was $103,060 (+/- $3,429). Males had a median income of $66,178 (+/- $2,448) versus $54,733 (+/- $2,427) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $40,036 (+/- $1,203). About 3.2% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.[73]
Census 2000
As of the 2000 United States Census[21] there were 50,903 people, 19,355 households, and 12,987 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,088.3 people per square mile (420.2/km²). There were 19,789 housing units at an average density of 423.1 per square mile (163.4/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 55.11% White, 25.98% African American, 0.18% Native American, 12.74% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.56% from other races, and 2.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.11% of the population.[71][72]
There were 19,355 households out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.14.[71][72]
In the township the population was spread out with 22.7% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 36.9% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.[71][72]
The median income for a household in the township was $67,923, and the median income for a family was $78,177. Males had a median income of $52,351 versus $41,101 for females. The per capita income for the township was $31,209. About 3.1% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.[71][72]
Parks and recreation
Parks in the township include:
- The William L. Hutcheson Memorial Forest ia a 500-acre (2.0 km2) natural preserve administered by Rutgers University that includes a 65-acre (260,000 m2) virgin old-growth forest designated a National Natural Landmark, and is located at 2150 Amwell Road (Route 514) about ¾ of a mile east of East Millstone.[74]
- Colonial Park, part of the Somerset County Park System, is a 685.5-acre (2.774 km2) facility located in the western portion of Franklin Township near East Millstone with entrances off Mettlers Lane and Elizabeth Avenue. The park offers many recreational activities, including picnicking, hiking, biking, fishing, golf and tennis. It features a 144-acre (0.58 km2) Arboretum, "a living tree museum" that provides a wide range of examples of trees and shrubs that grow well in the Central Jersey environment.[75] The park also offers a 3-acre (12,000 m2) leash-free dog area, a 1.4-mile (2.3 km) fitness parcourse, paddleboat rentals, an 18-hole putting course, the 18 hole championship Spooky Brook Golf Course, 3 stocked fishing ponds, softball fields, tennis center, playground, nature trail, a 5-acre (20,000 m2) Perennial Garden, the Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden, an accredited All-America Rose Selections (AARS) display garden, and the Fragrance and Sensory Garden, designed to be of special interest to visitors who are visually or physically impaired.[76] In 2009, Franklin Township appeared on Newsmax magazine's list of the "Top 25 Most Uniquely American Cities and Towns," a piece written by current CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg. The article cited Colonial Park as a reason for the city making the list.[77]
- A portion of the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park runs for 22 miles (35 km) along much of the northern and western borders of Franklin Township eventually making its way as far south as Trenton with a feeder canal following the Delaware River north for another 22 miles (35 km) to Bull's Island near Frenchtown. The canal and adjacent tow path offer many recreational activities, from hiking and biking to fishing and boating. Access points with parking can be found near most road crossings of the canal, via bridges at Colonial Park (see above) and the Van Wickle House (see below) in Franklin Township as well as at many of the locks on the canal.[78]
- The John W. Flemer Preserve is a 7.4-acre (30,000 m2) preserve adjacent to the Delaware and Raritan Canal in Kingston that features a 2-mile (3.2 km) trail on the east bank of the Canal that offers a connection to the tow path on the west side of the Canal for a round trip hike.[79]
- The Negri-Nepote Native Grassland Preserve is a 164-acre (0.66 km2) preserve located between Bennets Lane and Skillmans Lane in the Somerset section that features 111-acre (0.45 km2) of grassland, forest and scrubland and a 2.5-acre (10,000 m2) wetland attracting migratory birds and amphibians with over 3 miles (4.8 km) of pedestrian trails, bird boxes and interpretive signage.[80]
- Six Mile Run Reservoir Site, part of the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry, is located in the central portion of Franklin Township. The 3,037-acre (12.29 km2) park consists of land that was set aside in c. 1970 for water resource needs that still remains largely undeveloped and that offers numerous multi-use recreational trails. Access is provided via the former D&R Canal Main Office parking area off Canal Road just south of Blackwells Mills Road.[81]
- Ten Mile Run Greenway is a 684-acre (2.77 km2) greenway over 4 miles (6.4 km) in length running between Canal Road south of Bunker Hill Road in Griggstown and S. Middlebush Road near Old Vliet Road in Franklin Park. It runs along the Ten Mile Run. It features four sections including:
- Bunker Hill Natural Area, accessed from the north side of Bunker Hill Road near the intersection of Route 27, features trails through mature forest and meadows and along Ten Mile Run stream. Trails connect to the Griggstown Native Grassland Preserve and the Catalpa Farm areas.
- Catalpa Farm, on Old Vliet Road, offers trails along field edges and a small forest that connect to the Bunker Hill Natural Area.
- Environmental Education Center, 255 Bunker Hill Road (parking is available at 287 Bunker Hill Road), is a 95-acre (38 ha) area that features a deciduous forest known as Graeber Woods, a one-mile (1.6 km) self-guided nature trail and the "Glass House", a home that has been renovated and is now used as a classroom and conference center to provide a wide range of instructional, hands-on activities in natural habitats, and a 20' climbing tower and a high ropes course adventure area. The Environmental Education Center is a cooperative effort of the Township of Franklin, the Franklin Township Board of Education, and the Green Acres Program. A trail connect to the Griggstown Native Grassland Preserve and the rest of the Ten Mile Run Greenway.
- Griggstown Native Grassland Preserve accessed from Canal Road in Griggstown (1091 Canal Road) has over 100 acres (0.40 km2) of grassland and hundreds of acres of forest and features over 6 miles (9.7 km) of mapped trails. Trails connect to the other sections of the Ten Mile Run Greenway.
Government
Local government
The Township of Franklin is chartered under the Faulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, within the Council-Manager, Plan D.[3][82] The Township Council consists of nine members, including a Mayor elected from the township at-large, one elected for each of the five wards and three elected from the township at-large.
The Mayor is the Chief Legislative Officer of the township and is elected by the voters to serve for a four-year term. The Township Manager is the Chief Executive Officer overseeing the township's daily operations and is hired by and serves at the pleasure of the Township Council. Councilmembers are chosen in partisan elections held at the June Primary and November General Elections in odd-numbered years, for a four-year term, with the five ward seats coming up for election together and the mayoral and at-large seats up for election two years later.[83]
As of 2016, the Mayor of Franklin Township is Democrat Phillip Kramer, whose term of office ends December 31, 2019. Members of the Township Council are Deputy Mayor Theodore Chase, Jr. (D; 1st Ward, 2017), Kimberly Francois (D; At-Large, 2019), Charles Onyejiaka (D; 3rd Ward, 2017 - appointed to fill an unexpired term), Rajiv Prasad (D; At-Large, 2019), Shanel Robinson (D; At-Large, 2019), Rozalyn Sherman (D; 2nd Ward, 2017), James Vassanella (D; 5th Ward, 2017) and Carl R.A. Wright (D; 4th Ward, 2017).[4][84][85][86][87]
In the November 2015 general election, Phillip Kramer became the first Democrat directly elected as Mayor in the township's history, resulting in the Mayor and entire council being from the Democratic Party.[88] This marked a transition that started in 1995, when the council was controlled 8 to 1 by the Republican Party. In January 2016, the Township Council selected Charles Onyejiaka from a list of three candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the Third Ward seat expiring in December 2017 that was vacated by Philip Kramer when he took office as mayor; Onyejiaka will serve on an interim basis until the November 2016 general election, when voters will select a candidate to fill the one-year balance of the term of office.[89]
In January 2015, the Township Council chose Chris Kelly from among three candidates offered by the Republican municipal committee to fill the vacant seat of Brian D. Levine, who had resigned from his council seat to take office on the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders.[90]
In 1998, the township approved a referendum by a better than 2-1 margin to raise property taxes by 3 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, with the money to be used to preserve open space.[37]
Federal, state and county representation
Franklin Township is located in the 12th Congressional District[91] and is part of New Jersey's 17th state legislative district.[10][92][93] Prior to the 2010 Census, Franklin Township had been split between the 6th Congressional District and the 12th Congressional District, a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.[94]
New Jersey's Twelfth Congressional District is represented by Bonnie Watson Coleman (D, Ewing Township).[95] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Cory Booker (D, Newark, term ends 2021)[96] and Bob Menendez (D, Paramus, 2019).[97][98]
For the 2016–2017 session (Senate, General Assembly), the 17th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Bob Smith (D, Piscataway) and in the General Assembly by Joseph Danielsen (D, Franklin Township) and Joseph V. Egan (D, New Brunswick)[99] The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham Township).[100] The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).[101]
Somerset County is governed by a five-member Board of Chosen Freeholders, whose members are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year. At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects a Director and Deputy Director from among its members.[102] As of 2016, Somerset County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Patricia L. Walsh (R, Green Brook Township, term ends December 31, 2016)[103], Freeholder Deputy Director Peter S. Palmer (R, Bernardsville, 2017),[104] Patrick Scaglione (R, Bridgewater Township, 2018),[105] Mark Caliguire (R, Skillman in Montgomery Township, 2018),[106] and Brian D. Levine (R, Franklin Township, 2017),[107] Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are County Clerk Brett A. Radi (R, Somerville, 2017),[108] Sheriff Frank J. Provenzano (R, Raritan, 2016)[109][110] and Surrogate Frank Bruno (R, Branchburg, 2018).[111]
Politics
As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 36,240 registered voters in Franklin Township, of which 13,993 (38.6% vs. 26.0% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 4,962 (13.7% vs. 25.7%) were registered as Republicans and 17,262 (47.6% vs. 48.2%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 23 voters registered to other parties.[112] Among the township's 2010 Census population, 58.2% (vs. 60.4% in Somerset County) were registered to vote, including 74.7% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 80.4% countywide).[112][113]
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 71.2% of the vote (19,611 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 27.7% (7,640 votes), and other candidates with 1.0% (288 votes), among the 27,718 ballots cast by the township's 39,291 registered voters (179 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 70.5%.[114][115] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 19,442 votes (70.0% vs. 52.1% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 7,951 votes (28.6% vs. 46.1%) and other candidates with 246 votes (0.9% vs. 1.1%), among the 27,776 ballots cast by the township's 35,508 registered voters, for a turnout of 78.2% (vs. 78.7% in Somerset County).[116] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 14,737 votes (64.2% vs. 47.2% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 7,913 votes (34.5% vs. 51.5%) and other candidates with 211 votes (0.9% vs. 0.9%), among the 22,962 ballots cast by the township's 28,743 registered voters, for a turnout of 79.9% (vs. 81.7% in the whole county).[117]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 51.7% of the vote (8,178 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 46.9% (7,420 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (209 votes), among the 16,108 ballots cast by the township's 40,155 registered voters (301 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 40.1%.[118][119] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 9,369 ballots cast (53.0% vs. 34.1% countywide), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 6,842 votes (38.7% vs. 55.8%), Independent Chris Daggett with 1,180 votes (6.7% vs. 8.7%) and other candidates with 137 votes (0.8% vs. 0.7%), among the 17,679 ballots cast by the township's 36,033 registered voters, yielding a 49.1% turnout (vs. 52.5% in the county).[120]
Points of interest
- The Blackwells Mills Canal House, located at Blackwells Mills Road and Canal Road (598 Canal Road, Somerset) on the Delaware and Raritan Canal, was built c. 1830s, at the same time as the canal. It was constructed to house the bridge tender, who would open the swing bridge when canal boats came through, then close it to allow traffic to cross over the canal. The building is leased from the State and is maintained and operated by the Blackwells Mills Canal House Association in conjunction with the Meadows Foundation.[121]
- The Franklin Inn, at 2371 Amwell Road (Route 514), East Millstone, NJ a farmhouse built c. 1752 by Cornelius Van Liew, it has also been known as Annie Van Liew's House and, after being remodeled into a tavern and inn, the Franklin House Hotel.[122]
- The Hageman Farm, at 209 South Middlebush Road, is a c. 1861 historic farm. Owned by Franklin Township, the farm is under the stewardship of the Meadows Foundation.[123]
- Rockingham State Historic Site, near Kingston on CR 603 (Somerset County), adjacent to the Delaware and Raritan Canal. George Washington wrote his Farewell Address to the Revolutionary Army while staying here in the fall of 1783.[124][125]
- Spieden & Hoebel Farms, Little Valley Natural Area is a 120-acre (0.49 km2) area at 1327 and 1345 Canal Road with several miles of trails through forest and along field edges. Across Canal Road is access to the Delaware and Raritan Canal tow path and the Millstone River and flood plain.
- Tulipwood, at 1165 Hamilton Street, is a c. 1892 designed by J. August Lienau, the son of Detlef Lienau for his brother-in-law Stephen Guion Williams whose family owned the Williams & Guion Black Star Line. The home is owned by Franklin Township.
- The Ukrainian Cultural Center at 135 Davidson Avenue, serves as the headquarters of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and includes the following at the site (some open by appointment only):
- St. Sophia Seminary and Library, founded in 1975
- St. Andrew Memorial Church, completed and consecrated in 1967 in memory of the 7-14 million people who died in the Ukrainian famine of 1932-33 is a unique example of Ukrainian Cossak Baroque architecture in the area
- St. Andrew Cemetery, founded in 1952
- The Ukrainian Historical and Educational Center, founded in 1972, which contains priceless treasures of Ukrainian cultural, historical, social, religious, literary and political life including Easter eggs, lacework, hand embroidery, statuary and church vessels.
- The Ukrainian Cultural Center, dedicated in 1985
- St. Andrew Ukrainian School, founded in 1962 and located in the Cultural Center
- St. Andrew Bookstore and Ecclesiastical Supply, founded in 1992
- The historic Fisher Homestead, built in 1688, the home of Hendrick Fisher, New Jersey's delegate to the Continental Congress, and the site of the Fisher Family Cemetery.
- The Van Liew-Suydam House, at 280 South Middlebush Road, was built in the 18th century by Peter Van Liew. Joseph Suydam later built the part of the house that is visible today. The newest and largest portion of the house was built in 1875. Although the most recent long term owner of the house was named French, the house has been named after its two initial owners. Owned by Franklin Township, the farm is under the stewardship of the Meadows Foundation.[126]
- The Van Wickle House, at 1289 Easton Avenue is a historic house built c. 1722 by Symen Van Wickle. Operated by the Meadows Foundation which holds special annual events here.[34]
- The Wyckoff-Garretson House, at 215 South Middlebush Road, was built in 1730 by Cornelius Wyckoff. The house was restored by the Meadows Foundation under the direction of architect Mark Alan Hewitt.[127]
Education
The Franklin Township Public Schools serve students in pre-Kindergarten through twelfth grade. As of the 2011-12 school year, the district's nine schools had an enrollment of 7,771 students and 645.8 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.03:1.[128] Schools in the district (with 2011-12 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[129]) are six PreK-4 elementary schools — Conerly Road School[130] (483 students), Elizabeth Avenue School[131] (624), Franklin Park School[132] (1,016), Hillcrest School[133] (466), MacAfee Road School[134] (492), Pine Grove Manor School[135] (439) — Sampson G. Smith Intermediate School[136] for grades 5-6 (1,160), Franklin Middle School[137] for grades 7-8 (1,057) and Franklin High School[138] for grades 9-12 (2,035).[139][140][141]
Central Jersey College Prep Charter School is a comprehensive public charter middle school / high school serving students in grades 6-12 that aims to prepare all graduates for admission to a four-year university.[142] In 2016, the school was one of ten schools in New Jersey, and the only charter school, recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education.[143]
Rutgers Preparatory School, a private day school founded in 1766, is located in Franklin Township and occupies a 35-acre campus between Easton Avenue and the Raritan River. The state's oldest independent school, RPS moved to Franklin Township in 1957.[144]
Saint Matthias School is a parochial elementary school founded in 1962 that serves students in preschool through eighth grade and operates under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen.[145][146]
Infrastructure
Transportation
Roads and highways
As of May 2010, the township had a total of 260.12 miles (418.62 km) of roadways, of which 216.72 miles (348.78 km) were maintained by the municipality, 34.67 miles (55.80 km) by Somerset County and 8.73 miles (14.05 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[147]
Franklin has a variety of county routes, and other major roads that pass through. Some of the major county route that are in the township are CR 514,[148] CR 518[149] and CR 527.[150] Route 27 runs along the border between New Brunswick, and the townships of South Brunswick and North Brunswick.[151] Interstate 287 runs through the northern part with two interchanges.[152]
The New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95) passes outside the township in both neighboring South Brunswick and New Brunswick, but the closest interchanges are two towns away in Edison Township (Exit 10), East Brunswick Township (Exit 9) and Monroe Township (Exit 8A).
Franklin Township was to house the northern end of the Somerset Freeway at I-287 back in 1964 until it was later proposed to end in Piscataway. An additional spur, Interstate 695, was also proposed as part of the project. This road was to complete Interstate 95 at the proposed southern end in Hopewell Township at I-95 and I-295. However the entire project was ultimately cancelled in 1982.
Public transportation
Somerset County offers DASH routes 851, 852 and 853, providing service to Franklin Township from Bound Brook, New Brunswick and North Brunswick Township.[153]
Commuter bus service to Midtown Manhattan is offered by commuter transportation company OurBus,[154] during peak hours.
Utilities
Gas and electricity are provided by PSE&G. Water comes from the Delaware and Raritan Canal from water bought from American Water and neighboring North Brunswick Township and New Brunswick in Middlesex County. In 2011, the township considered privatizing the system and awarding the contract to United Water.[155]
Emergency services
- Fire companies
Franklin Township is served by 10 all-volunteer Fire Departments in four fire districts.[156]
- Community Fire Company / Station 25 (District 3)[157]
- Elizabeth Ave. Fire Company / Station 26 (District 1)[158]
- East Franklin Fire Department / Station 27 (District 3)[159]
- Middlebush Fire Department / Station 44 (District 1)[160]
- Millstone Valley Fire Company / Station 28 (District 1)[161]
- Franklin Park Fire Department / Station 31 (District 2)[162]
- Griggstown Fire Company / Station 35 (District 2)[163]
- Kingston Fire Company / Station 39 (District 4)[164]
- Little Rocky Hill Fire Company / Station 41 (District 2)[165]
- Somerset Fire & Rescue Company #1 / Station 56 (District 1)[166]
- First aid squads
Franklin Township is served by five First Aid and Rescue Squads[167]
- East Millstone First Aid Squad[168] / Station 52
- Franklin Somerset First Aid Squad[169] / Station 71
- Rocky Hill First Aid & Rescue Squad[170] / Station 53
- Kendall Park First Aid & Rescue Squad[171]
- Kingston First Aid & Rescue Squad / Station 72
Notable people
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Franklin Township include:
- Anthony Bartholomay (1919–1975), mathematician who introduced molecular set theory.[172]
- Avery Brooks (born 1948), actor who portrayed Captain Sisko in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Hawk on Spenser: For Hire and A Man Called Hawk, as well as film and theatre.[173]
- Clifford P. Case (1904–1982), politician who served in the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate.[174]
- Upendra J. Chivukula (born 1950), New Jersey Board of Public Utilities commissioner who represented the 17th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly, and had served on the Franklin Township Council since 1997, serving as its Mayor in 2000 and its Deputy Mayor in 1998.[175]
- Joseph Danielsen, member of the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 17th Legislative District since October 2014, after being appointed to fill the vacant seat of Upendra J. Chivukula.[176]
- Charles Leavitt Edgar (1860–1932), mechanical engineer working in the area of central power stations noted for several firsts, president of Boston Edison (1900) and National Electric Light Association.[177]
- Hendrick Fisher (1697–1778), represented Somerset County in the New Jersey Colonial Assembly, was one of three delegates representing New Jersey at the First Colonial Congress ("The Stamp Act Congress") in New York in 1765, was elected to New Jersey's Committee of Correspondence, served as a member of the Committee of Safety, was President of the Colonial Assembly, was the first President of the Provincial Congress of New Jersey in 1775, was labeled an arch traitor and "Enemy of the Crown", and a founder and first President of the board of trustees of Queen's College (now Rutgers University). His homestead and grave are currently located on the grounds of the Ukrainian Cultural Center on Easton Avenue west of Davidson Avenue in the Somerset section.[178]
- Theodore Frelinghuysen (1787–1862), politician who served as New Jersey Attorney General, United States Senator, and Mayor of Newark, New Jersey before running as a candidate for Vice President with Henry Clay on the Whig ticket in the election of 1844.[179]
- Colonel Routh Goshen (1837–1889), billed as the tallest man in the world at 7 feet 11 inches (2.41 m) and 620 pounds (280 kg), he was known as the Middlebush Giant, a stage name created by P. T. Barnum.[180][181]
- Mary Griffith (1772–1846), writer, horticulturist and scientist.[182]
- Benjamin Griggs (1690–1768), one of the earliest European settlers of the area that would later be known as Griggstown, a community that takes its name from the grist mill that Griggs established on the Millstone River.[183]
- Jean-Guillaume, baron Hyde de Neuville (1776–1857), French aristocrat, diplomat, and politician who resided in Franklin Township between 1811 and 1814 on a 100-acre (0.40 km2) farm on Easton Avenue in the area of the current Neuville Drive.[184]
- Roy Hinson (born 1961), Rutgers University stand-out who was a 1st round pick in the 1983 NBA Draft and played eight seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets.[185]
- John Honeyman (1729–1822), purported spy for George Washington who was primarily responsible for gathering the intelligence crucial to Washington's victory in the Battle of Trenton.[186]
- Brian D. Levine, member of the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders since 2015 who had served as mayor of Franklin Township from 2003 until taking office as freeholder.[187]
- Matthew Leydt (1755–1853), the first graduate of Queen's College (now Rutgers College of Rutgers University).
- Christopher Massimine, Tony Award- [188] and Drama Desk Award-nominated [189] Broadway Producer and Entertainment Marketing Executive, currently the Executive Producer of The National Yiddish Theatre - Folksbiene, the oldest continually-producing performing arts institution in the United States. His appointment as Producing Director at age 27 made Broadway history, as he took the title of youngest Performing Arts Executive to oversee a multimillion-dollar institutional budget.[190]
- Paul Muldoon (born 1951), writer, academic and educator, as well as Pulitzer Prize-winning poet originally from County Armagh, Northern Ireland.[191]
- Peter Davis Oakey (1861–1920), politician who served in the United States House of Representatives 1915-17 [192]
- Michael James Pappas (born 1960), former U.S. Congressman known for securing the release of the battleship USS New Jersey to the state of New Jersey as a museum, and his infamous singing of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Kenneth Starr" on the House floor, former Mayor of Franklin Township.[193]
- Randal Pinkett (born 1971), winner of The Apprentice 4, entrepreneur, speaker, author, scholar and community servant. Co-Founder, President and CEO of BCT Partners, a Rutgers University Rhodes Scholar with four advanced degrees from University of Oxford and M.I.T..[194]
- Jeff Porter (born 1985), track and field athlete.[195]
- Joe Porter (born 1985), cornerback who played in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders.[195]
- Ferdinand Schureman Schenck (1790–1860), politician who represented New Jersey in the United States House of Representatives from 1833-1837.[196]
- Charlie Weis (born 1956), former head coach of the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team, former offensive coordinator for New England Patriots during Super Bowl XXXVI, XXXVIII, and XXXIX, football coach for Franklin High School during its 1989 state championship season.[197][198]
- Helen Westley (1875–1942), movie actress popular in the 1930s and 1940s, starring in such films as The Age of Innocence, Anne of Green Gables, and Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.[199][200]
- Alma Bridwell White (1862–1946), founder of the Pillar of Fire Church and Zarephath community, first woman consecrated a bishop in the United States.[201]
- Bruce Williams (born 1932), radio talk show host; currently the longest running talk show in history. Member of Radio Hall of Fame, former Mayor of Franklin Township from 1967-1975.[202][203]
- Earl Williams (1948–2013), MLB catcher for eight seasons who earned the National League's Rookie of the Year Award at that position in 1971.[204]
References
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- 1 2 US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
- 1 2 2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 81.
- 1 2 Council Members, Township of Franklin. Accessed August 1, 2016.
- ↑ 2016 New Jersey Mayors Directory, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Accessed June 14, 2016.
- ↑ Township Manager, Township of Franklin. Accessed August 1, 2016.
- ↑ Clerk's Office, Township of Franklin. Accessed August 1, 2016.
- ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Township of Franklin, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed March 5, 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 16, 2011.
- 1 2 3 4 Municipalities Grouped by 2011-2020 Legislative Districts, New Jersey Department of State, p. 8. Accessed January 6, 2013.
- 1 2 3 Table DP-1. Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2010 for Franklin Township, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed December 16, 2011.
- 1 2 PEPANNRES - Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015 - 2015 Population Estimates for New Jersey municipalities, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 22, 2016.
- 1 2 GCT-PH1 Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 31, 2013.
- ↑ Look Up a ZIP Code for Somerset, NJ, United States Postal Service. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ Look Up a ZIP Code for Kingston, NJ, United States Postal Service. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ Look Up a ZIP Code for Franklin Park, NJ, United States Postal Service. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ Look Up a ZIP Code for Princeton, NJ, United States Postal Service. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ Look Up a ZIP Code for Zarephath, NJ, United States Postal Service. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ General Information, Township of Franklin. Accessed December 16, 2011.
- ↑ Area Code Lookup - NPA NXX for Franklin, NJ, Area-Codes.com. Accessed September 7, 2014.
- 1 2 American FactFinder, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
- ↑ A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ US Board on Geographic Names, United States Geological Survey. Accessed September 4, 2014.
- ↑ Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ #5 - Franklin Township; America's Top 100 Best Places to Live, Money (magazine). Accessed February 12, 2013.
- 1 2 Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 223. Accessed October 28, 2012.
- ↑ Brahms, William B., Images of America: Franklin Township, Arcadia Publishing; ISBN 0-7524-0938-7
- ↑ Brahms, William B., Franklin Township, Somerset County, NJ: A History, FTPL; ISBN 0-9668586-0-3
- ↑ History, Township of Franklin. Accessed August 31, 2015. "After considering the evidence set forth in Franklin Township, Somerset County, NJ: A History, William B. Brahm, Commissioned by the Franklin Township Library, 1998, Chapter 12, Municipal Government, The Case for William Franklin and The Case for Benjamin Franklin, the Township Council determined to espouse the theory that the Township was named for Benjamin Franklin."
- ↑ Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 31, 2015.
- ↑ Overview of Franklin Township, Meadows Foundation. Accessed December 16, 2011.
- ↑ History, Township of Franklin. Accessed December 16, 2011.
- ↑ History, Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park. Accessed December 16, 2011.
- 1 2 Van Wickle House, Meadows Foundation. Accessed December 16, 2011.
- ↑ A pictorial account concerning the current condition and history of the Millstone Branch
- ↑ The Changing Landscape of North Brunswick, Rutgers University. Accessed February 12, 2013. "Yorston is best remembered for his work in removing the 520 bodies from the New Brunswick Presbyterian Church's cemetery to Van Liew Cemetery to make way for new construction, for his around-the-clock service during the 1918 deadly influenza epidemic, and for his service in connection with the autopsy involving the infamous Hall-Mills murder in neighboring Franklin Township."
- 1 2 Cheslow, Jerry. "If You're Thinking of Living In Franklin Township, N.J.; A Town Acting to Preserve Its Farmland", The New York Times, November 15, 1998. Accessed August 23, 2012. "The 47-square-mile community, which is still three-fourths rural, is coming under increasing development pressure, according to Mayor Bottcher."
- ↑ Areas touching Franklin Township, MapIt. Accessed August 19, 2015.
- ↑ GCT-PH1 - Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County -- County Subdivision and Place from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Somerset County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 12, 2013.
- ↑ 2006-2010 American Community Survey Geography for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 12, 2013.
- ↑ New Jersey: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts - 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH-2-32), United States Census Bureau, August 2012. Accessed February 12, 2013.
- ↑ DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Blackwells Mills CDP, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Clyde CDP, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for East Franklin CDP, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for East Millstone CDP, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for East Rocky Hill CDP, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Franklin Center CDP, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Franklin Park CDP, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Griggstown CDP, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Kingston CDP, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Middlebush CDP, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Pleasant Plains CDP, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Six Mile Run CDP, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Somerset CDP, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Ten Mile Run CDP, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Voorhees CDP, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Weston CDP, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Zarephath CDP, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.
- ↑ Census Estimates for New Jersey April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 22, 2016.
- ↑ Compendium of censuses 1726-1905: together with the tabulated returns of 1905, New Jersey Department of State, 1906. Accessed July 31, 2013.
- ↑ Bowen, Francis. American Almanac and Repository of Useful Knowledge for the Year 1843, p. 231, David H. Williams, 1842. Accessed February 11, 2013.
- ↑ Raum, John O. The History of New Jersey: From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Volume 1, p. 259, J. E. Potter and company, 1877. Accessed February 11, 2013. "Franklin township contained a population in 1850 of 3,062[;] in 1860, 3,599; and in 1870, 3,912. Weston is a post village on the Millstone river. Middlebush and Griggstown are in this township."
- ↑ Debow, James Dunwoody Brownson. The Seventh Census of the United States: 1850, p. 141. R. Armstrong, 1853. Accessed February 11, 2013.
- ↑ Staff. A compendium of the ninth census, 1870, p. 260. United States Census Bureau, 1872. Accessed February 11, 2013.
- ↑ Porter, Robert Percival. Preliminary Results as Contained in the Eleventh Census Bulletins: Volume III - 51 to 75, p. 99. United States Census Bureau, 1890. Accessed February 12, 2013. Population for Franklin Township is listed as 3,818 for 1880 and 3,754 for 1890, which includes population for Bloomington borough (now South Bound Brook) of 671 in 1880 and 801 in 1890. Franklin Township population for these two years was calculated via subtraction.
- ↑ Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910: Population by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions, 1910, 1900, 1890, United States Census Bureau, p. 336. Accessed February 12, 2013. Lists a population of 475 for East Millstone, which was included in the 2,953 calculated based on the 1890 Census data.
- ↑ Fifteenth Census of the United States : 1930 - Population Volume I, United States Census Bureau, p. 718. Accessed December 16, 2011.
- ↑ Sixteenth Census of the United States : 1940 - Population Volume I, United States Census Bureau, p. 674. Accessed February 12, 2013.
- ↑ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed June 28, 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Franklin Township, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 31, 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 5 DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ William L. Hutcheson Memorial Forest, Rutgers University. Accessed February 12, 2013. "The Hutcheson Memorial Forest (HMF) is a unique area consisting of one of the last uncut forests in the Mid-Atlantic states, along with the surrounding lands devoted to protection of the old forest and research into ecological interactions necessary to understand the forest."
- ↑ Colonial Park Gardens, Somerset County Park Commission. Accessed December 16, 2011.
- ↑ Colonial Park Brochure, Somerset county Park Commission. Accessed December 16, 2011.
- ↑ Greenberg, Peter. "Newsmax Magazine Rates the Top 25 Most Uniquely American Cities And Towns", Newsmax Magazine. Accessed February 2, 2015.
- ↑ General Information, Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park. Accessed February 12, 2013.
- ↑ John W. Flemer Preserve, nynjctbotany.org. Accessed February 12, 2013.
- ↑ Negri-Nepote Native Grassland Preserve, The Native Plant Society of New Jersey. Accessed February 12, 2013.
- ↑ Six Mile Run Reservoir Site, New York–New Jersey Trail Conference. Accessed February 12, 2013.
- ↑ 1998 Charter Study Commission Report, p. 1. Accessed August 6, 2007. "Franklin Township, since 1958, operates under the Council-Manager Plan D..."
- ↑ Township Council, Franklin Township. Accessed February 12, 2013.
- ↑ 2016 Municipal User Friendly Budget, Township of Franklin. Accessed August 1, 2016.
- ↑ Somerset County Directory 2016, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed July 31, 2016.
- ↑ Somerset County - General Election November 3, 2015 Winning Candidates, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed July 31, 2016.
- ↑ Somerset County - General Election November 5, 2013 Winning Candidates, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed July 31, 2016.
- ↑ Staff. "Kramer Leads Democratic Sweep Of Mayor, Council Races", Franklin Reporter & Advocate, November 4, 2015. Accessed May 22, 2016. "With the win, the mayor and council seats will all be held by Democrats come January. The Democrats will have to pick a replacement for Kramer's council seat after he is sworn in as mayor. Kramer is also the first Democrat to be elected mayor since the position was directly chosen by voters."
- ↑ Staff. "Charles Onyejiaka Newest Township Council Member; Picked by Township Council from a slate of three candidates.", Franklin Reporter & Advocate, January 13, 2016. Accessed May 22, 2016. "Charles Onyejiaka, a 14-year township resident, was chosen from a field of three to fill the Ward 3 seat vacated when Philip Kramer was sworn in as mayor on Jan. 1."
- ↑ Staff. "Chris Kelly Sworn In As Township Mayor", Franklin Reporter & Advocate, January 13, 2015. Accessed January 17, 2015. "Township native Chris Kelly was sworn in as mayor at the Jan. 13 Township Council meeting, replacing Brian Levine, who has moved on to the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders."
- ↑ Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed January 6, 2013.
- ↑ 2016 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 57, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed July 20, 2016.
- ↑ Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.
- ↑ 2011 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 57, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed May 22, 2015.
- ↑ Bonnie Watson Coleman Biography, United States House of Representatives. Accessed January 7, 2015.
- ↑ About Cory Booker, United States Senate. Accessed January 26, 2015. "He now owns a home and lives in Newark's Central Ward community."
- ↑ Biography of Bob Menendez, United States Senate, January 26, 2015. "He currently lives in Paramus and has two children, Alicia and Robert."
- ↑ Senators of the 114th Congress from New Jersey. United States Senate. Accessed January 26, 2015. "Booker, Cory A. - (D - NJ) Class II; Menendez, Robert - (D - NJ) Class I"
- ↑ Legislative Roster 2016-2017 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 17, 2016.
- ↑ "About the Governor". State of New Jersey. Retrieved 2010-01-21.
- ↑ "About the Lieutenant Governor". State of New Jersey. Retrieved 2010-01-21.
- ↑ Somerset County Government: At Your Service, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed August 5, 2014.
- ↑ Patricia Walsh, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed January 18, 2016.
- ↑ Peter S. Palmer, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed January 18, 2016.
- ↑ Patrick Scaglione, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed January 18, 2016. A term-end year of 2015 is listed as of date accessed.
- ↑ Mark Caliguire, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed January 18, 2016. A term-end year of 2015 is listed as of date accessed.
- ↑ Brian Levine, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed January 18, 2016.
- ↑ Biography: Somerset County Clerk Brett A. Radi, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed August 5, 2014.
- ↑ Sheriff Frank J. Provenzano, Somerset County Sheriff's Office. Accessed August 5, 2014.
- ↑ Sheriff, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed August 5, 2014.
- ↑ Somerset County Surrogate, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed January 18, 2016. A term-end year of 2015 is listed as of date accessed.
- 1 2 Voter Registration Summary - Somerset, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed February 12, 2013.
- ↑ GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 12, 2013.
- ↑ "Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Somerset County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. March 15, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
- ↑ "Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 6, 2012 - General Election Results - Somerset County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. March 15, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
- ↑ 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Somerset County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed February 12, 2013.
- ↑ 2004 Presidential Election: Somerset County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed February 12, 2013.
- ↑ "Governor - Somerset County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. January 29, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
- ↑ "Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 5, 2013 - General Election Results - Somerset County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. January 29, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
- ↑ 2009 Governor: Somerset County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed February 12, 2013.
- ↑ Blackwells Mills Canal House, Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park. Accessed February 12, 2013.
- ↑ Brahms, William B., Franklin Township, Somerset County, NJ: A History, FTPL; ISBN 0-9668586-0-3 p.55
- ↑ Hageman Farm, The Meadows Foundation. Accessed February 12, 2013.
- ↑ Rockingham State Historic Site, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Accessed February 12, 2013.
- ↑ Tours, Rockingham State Historic Site. Accessed February 12, 2013.
- ↑ Van Liew-Suydam House, The Meadows Foundation. Accessed February 12, 2013.
- ↑ Wyckoff-Garretson House, Meadows Foundation. Accessed February 12, 2013.
- ↑ District information for Franklin Township School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed July 7, 2014.
- ↑ School Data for the Franklin Township Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed July 7, 2014.
- ↑ Conerly Road School, Franklin Township Public Schools. Accessed July 31, 2013.
- ↑ Elizabeth Avenue School, Franklin Township Public Schools. Accessed July 31, 2013.
- ↑ Franklin Park School, Franklin Township Public Schools. Accessed July 31, 2013.
- ↑ Hillcrest School, Franklin Township Public Schools. Accessed July 31, 2013.
- ↑ MacAfee Road School, Franklin Township Public Schools. Accessed July 31, 2013.
- ↑ Pine Grove Manor School, Franklin Township Public Schools. Accessed July 31, 2013.
- ↑ Sampson G. Smith Intermediate School, Franklin Township Public Schools. Accessed July 31, 2013.
- ↑ Franklin Middle School, Franklin Township Public Schools. Accessed July 31, 2013.
- ↑ Franklin High School, Franklin Township Public Schools. Accessed July 31, 2013.
- ↑ Schools Directory, Franklin Township Public Schools. Accessed July 31, 2013.
- ↑ New Jersey School Directory for the Franklin Township Public Schools, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed July 31, 2013.
- ↑ 2013-2014 Somerset County Public School Directory, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed February 2, 2015.
- ↑ Our Mission, Central Jersey College Prep Charter School. Accessed November 13, 2016.
- ↑ 2016 National Blue Ribbon Schools All Public and Non‐Public, National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. Accessed November 13, 2016.
- ↑ RPS Facts, Rutgers Preparatory School. Accessed February 8, 2012.
- ↑ History, Saint Matthias School. Accessed August 19, 2015.
- ↑ Find a school, Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen. Accessed August 19, 2015.
- ↑ Somerset County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed July 18, 2014.
- ↑ County Route 514 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, October 2012. Accessed August 1, 2016.
- ↑ County Route 518 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, October 2012. Accessed August 1, 2016.
- ↑ County Route 527 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, November 2012. Accessed August 1, 2016.
- ↑ State Route 27 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2014. Accessed August 1, 2016.
- ↑ Interstate 287 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, June 2015. Accessed August 1, 2016.
- ↑ DASH, Ridewise. Accessed August 19, 2015.
- ↑ https://planetprinceton.com/2016/07/29/new-express-bus-princeton-new-york-commuters/
- ↑ Paik, Eugene. "Deal proposed on United Water controlling Franklin Township's water system", The Star-Ledger, February 6, 2011. Accessed September 20, 2014. "The township draws its water from the Delaware and Raritan Canal, as well as New Brunswick, North Brunswick and the New Jersey American Water utility. The township would still own its water system, but would pay United Water to maintain it."
- ↑ Department of Fire Prevention, Township of Franklin. Accessed February 12, 2013.
- ↑ Home Page, Community Fire Company. Accessed July 31, 2013.
- ↑ Home Page, Elizabeth Ave. Fire Company. Accessed July 31, 2013.
- ↑ Home Page, East Franklin Fire Department. Accessed July 31, 2013.
- ↑ Home Page, Middlebush Fire Department. Accessed July 31, 2013.
- ↑ Home Page, Millstone Valley Fire Company. Accessed July 31, 2013.
- ↑ Home Page, Franklin Park Fire Department. Accessed July 31, 2013.
- ↑ Home Page, Griggstown Fire Company. Accessed July 31, 2013.
- ↑ Home Page, Kingston Fire Company. Accessed July 31, 2013.
- ↑ Home Page, Little Rocky Hill Fire Company. Accessed July 31, 2013.
- ↑ Home Page, Somerset Fire & Rescue Company #1. Accessed July 31, 2013.
- ↑ First Aid & Rescue, Township of Franklin. Accessed February 12, 2013.
- ↑ Home page, East Millstone First Aid Squad. Accessed September 20, 2014.
- ↑ Home page, Franklin Somerset First Aid Squad. Accessed September 20, 2014.
- ↑ A Rich History of Service, Rocky Hill First Aid & Rescue Squad. Accessed September 20, 2014.
- ↑ Home page, Kendall Park First Aid & Rescue Squad. Accessed September 20, 2014.
- ↑ Staff. "Dr. Anthony Bartholomay Former Member of MCO Facility", Toledo Blade, March 25, 1975. Accessed May 14, 2016.
- ↑ Barris, Mike. "Ernie Scott remembers Rosa Parks", Asbury Park Press, February 3, 2006. Accessed February 8, 2012. "His stage partner was Franklin Township's Avery Brooks, a Rutgers theater professor who plays Robeson, the Princeton-born African-American singer..."
- ↑ Clifford Philip Case, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed December 29, 2006.
- ↑ Assembly Member Upendra J. Chivukula, Project Vote Smart. Accessed August 12, 2007.
- ↑ Staff. "Joseph Danielsen sworn in as newest member of General Assembly", The Messenger-Gazette, October 16, 2014. Accessed February 2, 2015. "Franklin Township resident Joseph Danielsen became the newest member of the General Assembly, receiving the oath of office from Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto, before taking part in his first voting session as a member of the legislature.... Danielsen will represent the 17th legislative district, which includes parts of Middlesex and Somerset counties, replacing Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula who recently left to become a commissioner of the Board of Public Utilities."
- ↑ Edgar, Charles Leavitt American Society of Mechanical Engineers website. Accessed March 2, 2009.
- ↑ Hendrick Fisher Descendent To Read Declaration of Independence in Bound Brook, Bound Brook, New Jersey. Accessed August 21, 2008.
- ↑ Atkinson, Joseph. The History of Newark, New Jersey: Being a Narrative of Its Rise and Progress, from the Settlement in May, 1666, by Emigrants from Connecticut to the Present Time, Including a Sketch of the Press of Newark, from 1791 to 1878, W.B. Guild, 1878. Accessed February 2, 2015. "THEODORE FRELINGHUYSEN, though not 'native here and to the manner born,' was to the extent of the best and busiest years of his life, essentially a Newarker. He was born in Franklin Township, Somerset County, N.J., March 28th, 1787, of an ancestry distinguished for its piety and learning."
- ↑ Staff. "Glimpse of History: 'Middlebush Giant' traded circus life for Franklin Twp. farm life", The Star-Ledger, April 24, 2011. Accessed August 23, 2012. "He spent the last 15 years of his life living as a farmer on Amwell Road in Clyde, just outside Middlebush in Franklin Township in Somerset County."
- ↑ Col Routh Goshon at Find A Grave, accessed November 29, 2006
- ↑ Broderick, James F. Paging New Jersey: A Literary Guide to the Garden State, p. 17. Rutgers University Press, 2003. ISBN 9780813532905. Accessed February 2, 2015. "The Jersey Connection: Spent most of her adult life living at 'Charlie's Hope,' her farm in Franklin Township near New Brunswick."
- ↑ Prehn, Alyene Elizabeth Westall. Journal of a Genealogist: With Ancestral Wills from Late 1500's to 1900's of More Than 50 Surnames, p. 486. A.E.W. Prehn, 1980. Accessed February 2, 2015. "The present Griggstown was founded by Benjamin Griggs and his brothers, on the banks of the Millstone river, where he settled and built a grist mill as early as 1733."
- ↑ Brahms, William B., Franklin Township, Somerset County, NJ: A History, Franklin Township Public Library, 1988. ISBN 0-9668586-0-3. p. 531.
- ↑ Roy Hinson, Database Basketball. Accessed May 22, 2016.
- ↑ History of Franklin Township, NY-NJ-CT Botany Online. Accessed September 22, 2007. "1777:... In Griggstown John Honeyman (with a home that still stands at the foot of Bunker Hill Road and Canal Road) posed as a cattle-trader sympathetic to the British in order to spy on them. Honeyman's information helped Washington plan the surprise attack on Trenton."
- ↑ Hutchinson, Dave. "Somerset County Republican Freeholders win big, Democratics 'shellshocked'", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, November 4, 2014. Accessed February 2, 2015. "Republican incumbent Peter S. Palmer and newcomer Brian D. Levine, the former Franklin Township mayor who is running to fill the seat held by longtime Republican Freeholder Robert Zaborowski, appeared to handily defeat Democrat challengers Anthony Pranzatelli and Joan Pritchard."
- ↑ "American Idiot", About the Artist
- ↑ "2013 Drama Desk Award Winners", Drama Desk Awards
- ↑ "Christopher Massimine Named New Producing Director of National Yiddish Theatre-Folksbiene", BroadwayWorld
- ↑ "Making history in Griggstown", Princeton Packet, November 27, 2007. Accessed December 23, 2007. "Two presentations by John Allen, president of the Griggstown Historical Society, were made. Mark Alan Hewitt, project architect, received an autographed copy of Moy Sand & Gravel by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Paul Muldoon, a Griggstown resident."
- ↑ OAKEY, Peter Davis, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed March 2, 2009.
- ↑ Michael James Pappas, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed December 29, 2006.
- ↑ Biography, Dr. Randal Pinkett web site. Accessed December 12, 2006
- 1 2 Denman, Elliott. "Franklin's Jeff Porter makes Olympics in hurdles", Courier News, July 1, 2012. Accessed February 12, 2013. "Joe Porter, the Franklin Township High School and Rutgers University alumnus, played in the NFL from 2006 to 2011, most recently as an Oakland Raiders cornerback. But now it's his twin brother. Jeff, making news of his own."
- ↑ Ferdinand Schureman Schenck, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed August 23, 2012.
- ↑ Staff. "Charlie Weis", The New York Times, November 30, 2009. Accessed August 23, 2012. "Before taking over at Notre Dame, his alma mater, for the 2005 season, Weis had 15 years of experience as an N.F.L. assistant and three Super Bowl rings, but only one season as a head coach; he led Franklin Township High School to the 1989 New Jersey state title."
- ↑ Charlie Weis, University of Notre Dame Official Athletic Site. Accessed December 28, 2006.
- ↑ Staff. "HELEN WESTLEY, 63, A NOTED ACTRESS; Long Known for Character Roles on the Stage, and on the Screen Since 1934 THEATRE GUILD LEADER One of Founders, Appeared in More Than 40 of Its Plays - Dies in New Jersey", The New York Times, December 13, 1942. Accessed August 23, 2012. "MIDDLEBUSH, N. J., Dec. 12 - Helen Westley, the actress, who had played important roles on the stage for many years and on the screen since 1934 and was one of the founders of the Theatre Guild, died at her home here tonight after an illness of ten months, at the age of 63."
- ↑ Helen Westley, Internet Movie Database (IMDb). Accessed December 28, 2006.
- ↑ Staff. "BISHOP ALMA WHITE, PREACHER, AUTHOR; Founder of Pillar of Fire Dies at 84--Established Several Schools and Colleges", The New York Times, June 27, 1946. Accessed September 20, 2014. "Bishop Alma White, founder of the Pillar of Fire Church and author of thirty-five religious tracts and some 200 hymns, died here today at the headquarters of the religious group at near-by Zarephath."
- ↑ Eftimiades, Maria. "Radio Personality Without Limits", The New York Times, July 2, 1989. Accessed August 23, 2012. "Mr. Williams has dabbed in politics, serving as a councilman and two-term mayor for Franklin Township from 1967 to 1975."
- ↑ Bruce Williams Biography, Radio Village. Accessed December 28, 2006. Archived October 21, 2006, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Weber, Bruce. "Earl Williams, Baseball Slugger, Dies at 64", The New York Times, February 1, 2013. Accessed February 2, 2015. "Earl Williams, a slugging if ambivalent catcher and infielder — 'My favorite position is batter,' he once said — who won the National League rookie of the year award in 1971 but whose promise went unfulfilled amid a welter of minor controversies, died early Tuesday at his home in Somerset, N.J."
External links
- Franklin Township website
- Franklin Township Public Schools
- Franklin Township Public Schools's 2014–15 School Report Card from the New Jersey Department of Education
- School Data for the Franklin Township Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics
- Franklin Township Public Library
- Chamber of Commerce
- Van Wickle House