The official history of the Franklin Academy began January 10, 1820 when, by an act of the General Assembly of Maryland, John Tolly Worthington, J.T.H. Worthington, Garrett. G. Worthington, Charles Worthington, E.S. Johnson, Nimrod Cromwell, Richard Johns, Adam Shoevers and Dr. Thomas Walker were appointed trustees of the Franklin Academy with power to appoint teachers and to hold, sell, buy, or lease any property for use of the said Academy.