Bache family papers, 1770-1890 (bulk), 1770-1923 (inclusive)

Mss.B.B121

Date: 1770-1923 (Bulk 1770-1890) 1770-1890 | Size: 50 item(s)
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Abstract

The family correspondence of Richard and Sarah Franklin Bache on a variety of topics including references to Benjamin Franklin and his estate. There is also a family genealogy.

Digital objects note

This collection contains digital materials that are available in the APS Digital Library. Links to these materials are provided with context in the inventory of this finding aid. A general listing of digital objects may also be found here.

Collection Information

Physical description

50 items.

50 items.

Provenance

Accessioned 4/--/1938. See in-house shelf list for accession numbers and dates.

Early American History Note

The Bache Family collection contains a range of letters from members of the extended Franklin-Bache family, descendants of Benjamin Franklin. Although the vast majority are from the early republic, there are some papers from the twentieth century that involve Franklin's legacy (the collection appears to have been acquired by the APS in 1938). Among the correspondence included are letters to and from Benjamin Franklin Bache, William Temple Franklin, Sarah Franklin Bache, Richard Bache, William Bache and Catherine Wistar Bache.

The papers reflect miscellaneous correspondence to and from this very prominent and important American family. Many of the letters are personal in nature and involve correspondence amongst members of the extended family about their lives. There are other significant collections of such correspondence in the papers of William Temple Franklin, Sarah Franklin Bache, and Benjamin Bache Franklin at the APS. Nonetheless, this miscellaneous collection does provide a portrait of family relations in the early national period for both those within the extended Bache family and for those writing to the Bache's about their own family affairs. The collection has a notable number of women letter writers who often relate their daily life and family affairs.

A letter from Richard, one of the Benjamin Franklin Bache's sons, to his mother Sarah captures the intimacy of many of these letters. The long letter recounts a game the children played with the children of family friends. The game involved sticking needles into a burning candlestick at midnight to find out who one's future spouse would be. When the children did it, one of the older children came into the room wearing a sheet to look like a ghost and frightened the younger children. Among the more interesting items is a letter from William Franklin to his sister Sarah Franklin Bache in 1794. Although Benjamin Franklin disowned his son, the two siblings kept in contact, as evidenced by this correspondence. The collection also contains a significant portion of correspondence from the 1830s and 1840s from less prominent members of the Bache family writing about their lives.

There are scattered documents from the late-nineteenth century and early twentieth century. Of particular note are a series of letters discussing the family's attempt to take control of Benjamin Franklin's Trust that he had left to Boston and Philadelphia for charity. Around 1890, some of Franklin descendants tried to reclaim approximately $450,000 Franklin left to charity, and these documents consist of the family's organizing efforts and legal strategies. The collection also contains the wills of Richard and Benjamin Franklin Bache and two genealogical collections from the 1870s that trace out the descendants of Sarah Franklin Bache.

A note on the correspondents: Richard Bache, an immigrant from England who had worked as a merchant in New York and then Philadelphia, married Franklin's daughter Sarah (Sally). Benjamin Franklin was at first displeased with the marriage, but eventually accepted it. The Bache's had a number of children. Benjamin Franklin Bache, their first child, became a favorite of Franklin's, and he traveled to Europe with Franklin during the American Revolution.

Richard Bache served in a number of prominent organizations during his time in Philadelphia, including postmaster general during the American Revolution. He went into business with the Shippens and Willings, served on Revolutionary committees, and was a Director at the Bank of North America.

Sarah Franklin Bache, called Sally, was a politically active Philadelphian who supported the American Revolution by serving in voluntary associations and later supported the Democratic-Republicans, advising her son Benjamin Franklin Bache on political matters. She was also a close confidante of her father. The family lived with him and assisted him in his old age. The Bache's had eight children, among them Benjamin Franklin Bache and William Bache (a doctor who married Catherine Wistar), all of whom have letters in this collection.

William Temple Franklin was the illegitimate son of Franklin's illegitimate – and eventually disowned – son, William Franklin. William Temple, like Benjamin Franklin Bache, traveled to France with his grandfather. William, however, played a far more important role while there. While Benjamin Franklin Bache was just a child at the time, William Temple served as Franklin's aide and was eventually appointed Secretary to the America delegation at the Treaty of Versailles. He later published Franklin's papers, which were given to him as part of his inheritance.

Indexing Terms


Genre(s)

  • Family Correspondence
  • Genealogies.
  • General Correspondence
  • Legal Records
  • Miscellaneous
  • Wills.

Geographic Name(s)

  • Philadelphia (Pa.) -- Social life and customs.
  • United States - Armed Forces - Medical care
  • United States - Armed Forces - Medical personnel
  • United States - History - 1783-1865
  • United States - History - Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775
  • United States - History - Revolution - 1775-1783 - Personal narratives

Occupation(s)

  • Journalists -- Pennsylvania.
  • Physicians -- Pennsylvania.

Personal Name(s)

  • Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798
  • Bache, Catherine Wistar, 1770-1820
  • Bache, Richard, 1737-1811
  • Bache, Sarah Franklin, 1743-1808
  • Bache, Theophylact, 1735-1807
  • Bache, William, 1773-1818
  • Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
  • Franklin, William Temple, 1760-1823
  • Franklin, William, 1731-1813
  • Hewson, Mary Stevenson, 1739-1795
  • Hosack, Mary Eddy Wistar
  • Livingston, William, 1723-1790
  • Randolph, Thomas M., (Thomas Mann), 1768-1828
  • Wistar, Caspar, 1761-1818

Subject(s)

  • Law
  • Marriage and Family Life
  • Printing and Publishing
  • Women's History

Collection overview

 Papers
  
 Series Two: Material related to Benjamin Franklin Bache
  

Benjamin Franklin Bache (1801-1881); Primarily related to Benjamin Franklin Bache's time as surgeon of the Navy before and during the Civil War.



Detailed Inventory

 Papers
  
B B121 Hewson, Mary Stevenson, 1739-1795.
Letter to Mrs. [Sarah Franklin] Bache, Philadelphia
Aug. 25, 17709x7-1/2

A.L.S. 2p.and add. Friendly letter. Concerning B.Franklin. Previously cataloged as B B121.2 no.1

General physical description: 9x7-1/2

B B121 Hewson, Mary Stevenson, 1739-1795.
Letter to [Mrs. Sarah Franklin Bache]
Aug. 16, 17719x7-1/4

London, A.L.S. 2p. Birth of William Hewson. Refers to B.Franklin. Previously cataloged as B B121.2 no.2

General physical description: 9x7-1/4

B B121 Bache, Richard, 1737-1811.
Letter to Governor Livingston, Trenton
Jan. 15, 17829 1/2" x 7 3/4"

Phila., A.L.S. 1p. and add. Has ordered the post round the mountain by Veal Town, thus evading Clinton's party. Birth of the Dauphin. Previously cataloged as B B121.1

General physical description: 9 1/2" x 7 3/4"

B B121 Franklin, William Temple, 1760-1823.
Letter to Mrs. [Sarah] Bache
April 12, 17836 1/2" x 8 1/4"

Passy, A.L.S. 1p. and add. Seal. Introduces the bearer, Mr. Mason.

General physical description: 6 1/2" x 8 1/4"

B B121 Montgomery, Dorcas Armitage.
Letter to Mrs. [Sarah Franklin] Bache
July 26, 17839x7-1/4

Paris, A.L.S.with initials. 3p.and add. ----Photostat of c.of L. 2p. On same sheet is letter from C. Greene to [S.Bache]; Aug.20,1785. (from Yale university library, in Miscellaneous manuscript collection:Film 54-65 Frame 87.) Previously cataloged as B B121.2 no.3

D. Montgomery writes to Sarah Bache of conversation she had with Benjamin Franklin Bache about his grand father, Benjamin Franklin. She writes: he "found my g-papa very different from other old persons, for they were fretful and complaining and dissatisfied, and my g-papa is laughing and cheerful like a young person."

General physical description: 9x7-1/4

Access digital object:
https://diglib.amphilsoc.org/islandora/object/text:190647

B B121 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to William Bache
Dec. 27, 17837 1/4" x 9"

Passy, A.L.S. 1p. and add. His last letter contained a long description of the air balloons.

General physical description: 7 1/4" x 9"

B B121 Bache, Theophylact, 1735-1807.
Letter to William Bache
April 7, 17906 1/2" x 8 1/4"

New York, A.L.S. 1p. and add. Family news; hopes his grandfather [B. Franklin] is free from pain.

General physical description: 6 1/2" x 8 1/4"

B B121 Redick, David.
Letter to [Mrs.] Richard Beach [Sarah Franklin Bache], Philadelphia;
May 31, 17909x7-3/4

Washington, A.L.S. 1p.and add. Condolences for death of B.Franklin. Previously cataloged as B B121.2 no.4

General physical description: 9x7-3/4

B B121 Markoe, Peter, 1752?-1792.
Letter to Mrs. Sarah [Franklin] Bache, Philadelphia;
Nov. 17, 179110x8-1/4

St.Croix, A.L.S. 2P.and add. Friendly letter. Previously cataloged as B B121.2 no.5

General physical description: 10x8-1/4

B B121 Hosack, Mrs. Mary Eddy.
Letter to [Mrs.] Catharine Wistar [Bache], Philadelphia;
Oct. 1, 17939-1/2x7-3/4

New York, A.L.S.with initials. 2p.and add.,end. Friendly letter. Concerning yellow fever in Philadelphia. Previously cataloged as B B121.2 no.6

General physical description: 9-1/2x7-3/4

B B121 Markoe, Francis, 1801-1871.
Letter to William Bache, London;
June 28, 17949-3/4x7-1/2

Philadelphia, A.L.S. 2p.and add.: "Care of William Franklin." Enc.wanting. Friendly letter. Previously cataloged as B B121.2 no.7

General physical description: 9-3/4x7-1/2

B B121 Markoe, Francis, 1801-1871.
Letter to William Bache, London;
Aug. 9, 17949-1/2x8

Philadelphia, A.L.S. 1p.and add.: "Care of William Franklin." Friendly letter. Previously cataloged as B B121.2 no.8

General physical description: 9-1/2x8

B B121 Franklin, William, 1731-1813.
Letter to Mrs. Sarah Bache
Aug. 23, 17947 1/4" x 8 3/4"

London, A.L.S. 3p. and add. Has introduced William to Dr. Johnson and others; hopes to make him acquainted with Dr. Ingenhous. Glad to hear of their escape from the dreadful disorder at Philadelphia.

General physical description: 7 1/4" x 8 3/4"

 Bache, Sarah Franklin, 1743-1808.
Letter to William Bache
Sept. 20, 1794 

A.L.S. 3p. and add. Family news; yellow fever. With sketch of woman

B B121 Bache, William, 1773-1818.
Letter to Richard Bache;
Sept. 8, 17957 1/2" x 9"

A.L.S. 1p. and add. Family.

General physical description: 7 1/2" x 9"

B B121 Hosack, Mrs. Mary Eddy.
Letter to [Mrs.] Catharine Wistar [Bache], Philadelphia;
Aug. 4, 179610x8

New York, A.L.S.with initials. 3p.and add.,end. Friendly letter. Previously cataloged as B B121.2 no.9

General physical description: 10x8

B B121 Hosack, Mrs. Mary Eddy.
Letter to [Mrs.] Catharine Wistar [Bache], New York;
Nov. 21, 179610x8

Philadelphia, A.L.S.with initials. 2p.and add.,end. Friendly letter. Previously cataloged as B B121.2 no.10

General physical description: 10x8

B B121 Bache, Richard, 1737-1811.
Letter to Dr. [William] Bache
May 7, 17986 1/2" x 8"

Settle, A.L.S. 1p. Encloses the "conclusion of your grandfather's instructions to me, on his going to France in...1776" for Mr. Niemcewicz (?).

General physical description: 6 1/2" x 8"

B B121 Gahn, Henry.
Letter to William Bache, Philadelphia;
May 30, 179810x8

New York, A.L.S. 3p.and add. Friendly letter. Previously cataloged as B B121.2 no. 11

General physical description: 10x8

B B121 Bache, Richard, 1784-1848.
Letter to Mrs. S[arah] Bache
April 2, 17996 1/2" x 8"

Burlington, A.L.S. 2p. and add. Family.

General physical description: 6 1/2" x 8"

B B121 Ryerss (?), H.
Letter to Mrs. Catherine Bache;
July 12, 1799 

New York, A.L.S. 3p. and add.

B B121 Cooper, Hannah.
Letter to Mrs. [Catherine] Bache;
April 21, 1800 

(?). Fragment of A.L.S. portion of p. and add.

B B121 Bache, Richard, 1737-1811.
Letter to Mrs. [Sarah] Bache
May 5, 18017 1/2" x 9"

Settle, A.L.S. 3p. and add. Family.

General physical description: 7 1/2" x 9"

B B121 Trist, Mrs. Mary Brown.
Letter to Mrs. [Catharine Wistar] Bache,
Jan. 28, 18039x7-1/2

Philadelphia; Pen Park, A.L.S. 3p.and add. Friendly letter. Previously cataloged as B B121.2 no.16

General physical description: 9x7-1/2

B B121 Randolph, Thomas M. (Thomas Mann), 1768-1828.
Letter to W[illia]m Bache;
Oct. 29, 18058" x 10"

Monticello, A.L.S. 3p. and add. Legal matters.

General physical description: 8" x 10"

B B121 Bache, Sarah Franklin, 1743-1808.
Letter to Catharine [Bache]
Aug. 16, 18078" x 10"

Settle, A.L.S. 1p. Family.

General physical description: 8" x 10"

B B121 Bache, Richard, 1737-1811.
Letter to Sally Bache
Aug. 22, 18076 1/2" x 8 1/4"

Settle, A.L.S. 2p. and add. Family.

General physical description: 6 1/2" x 8 1/4"

B B121.3 no.1 Bache, Richard, 1737-1811.
Letter of administration for Benjamin Franklin's estate;
Dec. 2, 180713x8

Printed D.filled in in ms.S.: Rich[ard] Bache, W[illiam] Bache and Rich[ard] Bache, Jr. Witnessed: J.Wampole. 2p., end. (see Bache family papers)

General physical description: 13x8

B B121 Wister, E H.
Letter to [ ] Wister;
Aug. 15, 18086 1/2" x 8 1/2"

Cotness, A.L.S. 2p. and add. Mutilated

General physical description: 6 1/2" x 8 1/2"

B B121.w Bache, Richard, 1737-1811.
Will
Jan. 2, 181015 1/2" x 10"

Settle, Pa. A.D. 7p. and end. Mutilated, signature cut away. Att: Aug. 2, 1811. Mentions Dr. Benjamin Franklin. Deposited by the Register of Wills Office, Phila; Dec. 10,1954 - restricted, cf. terms of use, Legal folder. See Bound Volume, Floor E. ---- Photostat of copy of D. 9p. Presented by E.M. Riley, Jan.1951.

General physical description: 15 1/2" x 10"

Other Descriptive Information: Not found 5/2011

B B121.3 no.2. Bache, William, 1773-1818.
Renunciation of the administration of the estate of Benjamin Franklin;
Aug. 26, 18117x8

Philadelphia, D.S.: W.Bache Louis Bache and Rich[ard] Bache. 1p.and end. Register: Samuel Bryan. (see Bache family papers)

General physical description: 7x8

B B121.3 no.3 Sergeant, Thomas, 1782-1860.
Letter of administration for Benjamin Franklin's estate;
Aug. 27, 181112-1/2x7-3/4

Printed D.filled in in ms.S.: T.Sergeant, Louis Bache and Rich[ard] Bache. Witnessed: Sam.Bryan. 2p.,end. (see Bache family papers.)

General physical description: 12-1/2x7-3/4

B B121 Hosack, Mrs. Mary Eddy.
Letter to Mrs. [Catharine Wistar] Bache, Philadelphia;
May 15, 181210x8

New York, A.L.S. 1p.and add.,end. Friendly letter. Previously cataloged as B B121.2 no.12

General physical description: 10x8

B B121 Wistar, Thomas.
Letter to Catherine Bache;
July 11, 18138" x 10"

A.L.S. 1p. and add.

General physical description: 8" x 10"

B B121 Wistar, Bartholomew, 1790-1841.
Letter to Catharine Bache;
Oct. 12, 18147 3/4" x 9 3/4"

Phila., A.L.S. 2p. and add.

General physical description: 7 3/4" x 9 3/4"

B B121 Wistar, Caspar, 1761-1818.
Letter to Catharine Bache;
July 1, 1816 

Roxborough, A.L.S. 2p. and add.

B B121 Trist, E.
Letter to Mrs. Catharine [Wistar] Bache, Princeton;
Oct. 17, 18169-3/4x7-3/4

Previously cataloged as B B121.2 no.13

General physical description: 9-3/4x7-3/4

B B121 Hosack, Mrs. Mary Eddy.
Letter to Mrs. Catharine [Wistar] Bache, Princeton;
Jan. 23, 18179-3/4x7-3/4

New York, A.L.S. 3p.and add., end. Friendly letter. Concerning G. Morris' death and his wife. Previously cataloged as B B121.2 no.14

General physical description: 9-3/4x7-3/4

 Wistar, Elizabeth..
Letter to --
March 3, 1818 

A.L.S. 2p.

B B121 Jones, M.
Letter to Mrs. [Catharine Wistar] Bache, Philadelphia;
Sept. 13, 18209-3/4x7-3/4

New Orleans, A.L.S. 2p.and add. Seal Friendly letter. Previously cataloged as B B121.2 no.15

General physical description: 9-3/4x7-3/4

 James, Thomas C. (Thomas Chalkley), 1766-1835.
Letter to William Meredith;
Jan. 8, 1821 

A.L.S. 2p.and add.,end. Concerning estate of Mrs. Sarah Bache: has been asked to be Guardian to Catharine Bache.

 Morris, Mathias.
Letter to W[illiam] Meredith;
Oct. 16, 1821 

Doylestown, A.L.S. 1p. Concerning Mrs. Bache's Estate.

B B121 Mallory, G.
Letter to John Wister;
Nov. 26, 18308" x 12 3/4"

wilkes Barre, A.L.S. 1p. and add.

General physical description: 8" x 12 3/4"

 Bache, William, 1812-1900.
Letter to C. G. McChesney, Hights Town, New Jersey;
Aug. 20, 1834 

Wellsboro Tioga, A.L.S. 1p.and add. Thanks for communication, and is thankful for his long healthy life.

B B121 Marcy, William L. (William Learned) 1786-1857.
Letter to H.G. Upham;
Nov. 3, 18524 3/4" x 7 1/4"

Albany, A.L.S. 2p.

General physical description: 4 3/4" x 7 1/4"

 Tho[ma]s Hewson Bache to John Bigelow
1867 Nov 18 

Other Descriptive Information: Photocopy

 Tho[ma]s Hewson Bache to John Bigelow
1868 April 27 

Other Descriptive Information: Photocopy

 Republican National Convention Delegate's Ticket.
June 16, 1896 

1 ticket for St. Louis convention.

B B121 Bache, Elizabeth Franklin, 1777-1820.
Letter to William Bache;
Undated7 1/4" x 8 3/4"

Tuesday morning. A.L.S. 1p. and add.

General physical description: 7 1/4" x 8 3/4"

B B121 Vaughan, Sarah.
Letter to Mrs. [Sarah ?] Bache;
Undated8" x 8 1/4"

n.d. A.L.S. 2p. and add.

General physical description: 8" x 8 1/4"

B B121 W., H S.
Letter to Catherine Wistar;
Undated 

n.d. A.L.S. 2p. and add.

 Series Two: Material related to Benjamin Franklin Bache
  

Benjamin Franklin Bache (1801-1881); Primarily related to Benjamin Franklin Bache's time as surgeon of the Navy before and during the Civil War.

Processing information: Index for this series is incomplete.

 La Sociedad Medica de Emulacion de Barcelona.
Certificate of merit to Benjamin F. Bache.
Oct. 28, 1842 Box Oversize Vault
LH-MV-C

Printed D. Mss filled in. 1p.

 Agreement made between Bache of the City of New York and Charles G. Taylor, etc.
June, 1856 

A.D. 1p.

 U.S. Navy.
Letter to B.F. Bache
Sept. 9, 1865 

A.L.S.: Chief of Bureau; granting leave for Bache.

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1801-1881.
Letter to Thomas Hart, Jr.
April 27, 1868 

A.L.S. 3p.

 Porter, Daniel D..
Letter to Benjamin F. Bache
June 14, 1868 

A.L.S. 5p.

 U.S. Navy.
General order, no. 159
Aug. 29, 1870 

T.D. order an "Act to further promote teh efficiency of the Navy"

Other Descriptive Information: Not found 5/2011

 US Secretary of the Navy to BF Bache
1870 Sept 13 
 US Navy General order, no. 163
1871 Sept 1 
 U.S. Navy.
Letter to B.F. Bache
Sept. 18, 1871 

A.L.S.: Acting Secretary Navy; "In accordance with General Order No 163, you will regard yourself detached from duty in charge of the Naval Laboratory at New York on the 1st October next, proceed to your home and wait orders."

 U.S. Navy.
Letter to B.F. Bache
Feb. 1, 1873 

1p. Commissions Bache Medical Director.

 Invitation to Miss Jeannie L. Bache
Oct. 27, 1876 

Printed. 1p. Mss filled in. Invitation to the International Exhibition of 1876 at Fairmount Park, Philalphia.

 Ticket of admission to International Exhibition closing Ceremonies
Nov. 10, 1876 
 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1801-1881.
Will
June 3, 1879 

A.D. 3p.

 State of New York. Surrogates Court. County of Kings.
Certification as to the will of B.F. Bache
Dec. 23, 1881 

Printed D. Mss. filled in. 1p.

 Pepper, George Wharton, 1867-1961. Duane, Russell, 1866-.
Outline statement of counsel in regard to the Franklin trusts
May 28, 1890 
 Irwin, Sophia A.. Gillespie, E. D. (Elizabeth Duane), b. 1821.
Concerning a proposed suit to recover funds from Benjamin Franklin's estate
May 28, 1890 

A.D. 5p.

 Biddle, A. Sydney (Algernon Sydney), 1847-1891.
Letter to William S. Gould
June 7, 1890 

1p. conerning B. Franklin's will.

 Duane, Russell, 1866-.
Letter to William S. Gould
June 7, 1890 

A.L.S. 2p. concerns Franklin's will.

 Letter to "Dear Aunt Jeannie" [L. Bache]
Dec. 7, 1923 

T.L. 2p. signed "Ed"

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1801-1881.
Extracts from my mother's will
Undated