Abstract: Franklin, Massachusetts, incorporated in 1778 at the height of the American Revolution, was the first town in the United States named for Benjamin Franklin. And, because of Franklin’s subsequent donation of books, the town founded the nation’s first free public library. This article challenges established origin narratives for both the town’s name and its library. It demonstrates that the name resulted from rumor and misinformation—Franklin’s alleged assassination in Paris in 1778—which was common in Atlantic World communication networks of the late-eighteenth century. It also shows that Benjamin Franklin’s donation of the books for the town meeting house, resulted as much from his personal family and friend networks as it did from the petition sent to him by the townsfolk requesting that he donate a bell for their meeting house. This local history case study highlights the interconnections between local, national, and world historical events