Franklin P. Turner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Franklin Parnham Turner
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| Born | April 17, 1829 Charles County, Maryland |
| Died | January 1, 1889 (aged 59) Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia |
| Buried |
Mountain View cemetery (Sharpsburg, Maryland)
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| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
 Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861–64 (CSA) |
| Rank |  Major |
| Commands held | 36th Virginia Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Other work | Delegate to Virginia Secession Convention of 1861 |
Franklin Parnham Turner (February 28, 1827 – January 1, 1889) was an American lawyer and a key figure during the American Civil War. He is remembered for his role as a delegate who voted for Virginia to leave the United States. He also served as an officer in the Confederate States Army.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Franklin Parnham Turner was born in Charles County, Maryland. His parents were Thomas Turner and Martha Adams Turner. Sadly, Franklin's father passed away when he was young.
Despite this, Franklin received a good education for his time. He went on to graduate from Franklin and Marshall College. After college, he studied law to become a lawyer.
Family Life
Franklin Turner married Frances Amelia Miller. She was the daughter of Captain John Miller, a veteran of the War of 1812. Franklin and Frances had six children together. However, most of their children did not live to be adults. Only one son, Frank Van Lear Turner, survived both of his parents.
Career as a Lawyer and Politician
By the 1850s, Franklin P. Turner was working as a young lawyer. He lived with his uncle, Reverend John Adams, in Washington County, Maryland. A decade later, he moved to Jackson County, Virginia.
In Jackson County, he continued his law practice in Ripley, the county seat. He also owned a significant amount of land and other property.
Role in the Secession Convention
Voters in Jackson County chose Turner to be their representative at the Virginia Secession Convention of 1861. This was a very important meeting where Virginia decided whether to stay in the United States or leave. Turner spoke at the convention and voted twice for Virginia to secede, meaning to formally withdraw from the Union.
Military Service in the Civil War
Soon after Virginia seceded, Turner took action. He gathered a group of soldiers in Roane County. This group became Company G (later Company E) of the 36th Virginia Infantry. Turner became their captain.
In May 1862, the company reorganized, and Turner was replaced as captain. He then moved to Richmond, the capital of the Confederacy. In June, he joined the staff of General Stonewall Jackson. Being a staff officer meant he helped the general with planning and managing troops.
Turner fought in the Battle of Antietam, which took place near his childhood home. After General Jackson's death, Turner served on other generals' staffs. He was promoted to the rank of major before the war ended.
Life After the War
After the Civil War, Turner stayed in Richmond. He continued to practice law there and also in Sharpsburg. A sad event occurred in 1870 when his firstborn son, John, was killed. John was working at the Virginia State Capitol when a floor collapsed.
Turner also helped former Confederate General Armistead Lindsay Long. He assisted Long in writing a book about General Robert E. Lee. This book supported the idea of the Lost Cause, which was a way of remembering the Confederate side of the war.
Death and Legacy
Franklin Parnham Turner passed away in 1889. He was buried in the family plot at Mountain View cemetery in Sharpsburg. His wife lived for many more decades after his death. As mentioned earlier, only their son, Frank Van Lear Turner, outlived both of his parents.
