Fort Franklin was erected by the British in 1778, as part of a network of fortifications along the north shore of Long Island during the Revolutionary War, and named for Benjamin Franklin's Loyalist son, Sir William Franklin.[1] It was raided in 1779, resulting in the capture of many of the Loyalist garrison, but not the fort itself.[2] It was unsuccessfully attacked by French troops on July 13, 1781.[3] At the end of the war, it became a refugee camp for Loyalists, then finally dismantled in 1783.[4]
The site, which became known as Fort Hill, is now the location of the historic Fort Hill Estate.