On March 2, 1778, the West Precinct of Wrentham officially became the independent town of Franklin. A separation agreement and a Charter for Incorporation were written. The name for the new town would be Exeter. Jabez Fisher, an ardent local Patriot, along with two other men, went to Boston with the charter to start the process of incorporation. When they arrived, word had been received as to the signing of the treaty with France. This treaty was something Ben Franklin had been working on for 3 years. It is believed that this is when a line was drawn through the name Exeter on the Charter and Franklin was written in. Mr. Fisher was honoring the man he most admired, Benjamin Franklin. It was thought that Mr. Franklin might be so delighted with the news that he would bestow a gift to the town.