Benjamin Franklin Bache papers, 1779-1793

Mss.B.B122

Date: 1779-1793 | Size: 0.5 Linear feet
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Abstract

Letters of a dutiful child to his parents Richard Bache and Sarah Franklin Bache, and to his grandfather, Benjamin Franklin; also letters to William Jones, Robert Frazer, and Margaret H. Markoe, his fiancée. Also photostats of letters to Robert Alexander of Virginia, from the originals in University of Virginia Library.

Background note

Benjamin Franklin Bache, the grandson of Benjamin Franklin, worked as a printer and journalist.

Collection Information

Physical description

50 items, some of which are photostat copies from originals in the Yale University and University of Virginia libraries.

50 items, some of which are photostat copies from originals in the Yale University and University of Virginia libraries.

Provenance

Accessioned, 1954.

Location of originals:

Location of the original is unknown.

General note

Entries for 1784 were printed by Bernard Faÿ, "Paris, à la fin de l'ancien régime, vu par un petit garcon de Philadelphie," Franco-American Review 1(1936-37):317.

Early American History Note

The Benjamin Franklin Bache Collection is composed primarily of correspondence sent from B.F. Bache. The vast majority dates to his time in Europe during the American Revolution while a young child under the care of his grandfather, Benjamin Franklin, who was then serving as one of America's ambassadors to France. These letters consist of B.F. Bache writing from his school in Switzerland to his grandfather in Paris (often in French) and to his parents in America (in English). Most of the letters relay information on B.F.'s formal education and his experience learning the printing trade. The only letter dated after Bache's time in Europe is a personal letter mourning the loss of Benjamin Franklin that he wrote to his soon-to-be-wife, Margaret Markoe. The letter contains one of the most detailed accounts of Franklin's last days.

Indexing Terms


Genre(s)

  • Family Correspondence
  • General Correspondence

Geographic Name(s)

  • Switzerland -- Description and travel.

Personal Name(s)

  • Alexander, Robert
  • Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798
  • Bache, Richard, 1737-1811
  • Bache, Sarah Franklin, 1743-1808
  • Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
  • Frazer, R., (Robert)
  • Jones, William, 1760-1831
  • Markoe, Margaret Hartman

Subject(s)

  • American Revolution
  • Americans Abroad
  • Diplomatic History
  • Education
  • Printing and Publishing

Collection overview

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Series One: General Correspondence
1779-1793 
 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Series Two: Letters to Robert Alexander
June 20 1785 -Oct. 21, 1787 

Photostats of A.L.S. 6 items. In French and English. (originals in the Samuel M. Wilson Library, University of Kentucky.) Letters dated: June 20, July 2, July 16, Oct. 30, 1785; Oct. 16, 1786. and Oct. 21, 1787. Refers to B. Franklin.

Originally cataloged as B122.3 no.1-6



Detailed Inventory

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Series One: General Correspondence
1779-1793 
 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to [Benjamin] Franklin
May 30, 17797" x 9"

A.L.S. 1p. and add., end. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.1)

General physical description: 7" x 9"

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to his grandfather [Benjamin Franklin]
Oct. 25, 17796 3/4" x 8 1/2"

Geneva, A.L.S. 3p. and end. Partly in French. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.2)

General physical description: 6 3/4" x 8 1/2"

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to his Papa [i.e. Benjamin Franklin]
Dec. 21, 17796 1/2" x 8 1/4"

Geneva, A.L.S. 2p. and end. In French. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.3)

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

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to his Papa, [Benjamin] Franklin
March 25, 17807" x 9 1/2"

Geneva, A.L.S. 2p. and add. In French. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.4)

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

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to [Benjamin] Franklin
May 6, 17807 1/4" x 9 1/2"

A.L.S. 2p. and add. Seal. In French. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.5)

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

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to [Benjamin] Franklin
May 30, 17807" x 9 1/4"

Geneva, A.L.S. 2p. and add. Seal. In French. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.6)

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

 Marignac, Gabriel Louis Gallisard de.
Letter to [Benjamin Franklin]
June 19, 1780 

A.L.S. 1p. In French. On same sheet with letter from B.F.Bache to Dr. Franklin of same date. (see B.F.Bache. Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.7) ----Copy of both letters, under date of June 5, 1780.

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to [Benjamin] Franklin
July 18, 17807" x 9 1/4"

A.L.S. 2p. and add. Seal In French. (see his Letter to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.8)

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

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to [Benjamin] Franklin
Sept., 17807" x 9 1/4"

A.L.S. 1p. and add. Seal In French. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.9) End: Recd. Sept. 20, 1780.

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

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to grandfather [Benjamin Franklin]
Oct. 17, 17807 1/2" x 9 1/2"

Geneva, A.L.S. 2p. and add., end. In French. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.10) Addressed in another hand: Richd. Bache...

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

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to [Benjamin] Franklin
Nov. 26, 17807" x 9"

Geneva, A.L.S. 1p. and add. Seal. In French. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.11)

General physical description: 7" x 9"

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to [Benjamin] Franklin
March 26, 17817 1/4" x 9 1/2"

A.L.S. 2p. and add. Seal. In French. (see his Letters to B.Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.12)

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

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to [Benjamin] Franklin
May 26, 17817 1/4" x 9 1/2"

Geneva, A.L.S. 2p. and add., end. In French. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.13)

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

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to [Benjamin] Franklin
June 30, 17817 1/4" x 9 1/2"

Geneva, A.L.S. 3p. and add., end. In French. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.14)

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

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to [Benjamin] Franklin
Sept. 12, [1781]6 1/2" x 8 1/2"

A.L.S. 2p. and add., end. In French. Faded. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.15)

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

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to [Benjamin] Franklin
Feb. 21, 17827 1/2" x 9"

Geneva, A.L.S. 1p. and add., end. In French. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.16)

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

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to [Benjamin] Franklin
July 27, 17826 3/4" x 8 3/4"

Geneva, A.L.S. 2p. and add., end. In French. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.17)

General physical description: 6 3/4" x 8 3/4"

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to [Benjamin] Franklin
Aug. 30, 17826 3/4" x 9"

A.L.S. 2p. and add., end. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, 18)

General physical description: 6 3/4" x 9"

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to his Papa [Richard Bache]
Sept. 15, 17826 1/2" x 8 1/2"

Geneva, A.L.S. 2p., end. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.19)

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

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to his Mama [Sarah Bache]
Sept. 15, 17827 1/2" x 9 1/4"

Geneva, A.L.S. 1p. and add., end. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.20)

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

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to [Benjamin] Franklin, [Geneva]
Sept., 17826 1/2" x 8 1/2"

A.L.S. 2p. and add. In French. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.21)

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

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to his Papa and Mama [Richard and Sarah Bache
17827" x 9"

ca.]. A.L.S. 2p. and end. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.22) Loss of the English army under Lord Cornwallis. Writes often to his grandfather, B. Franklin.

General physical description: 7" x 9"

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to Richard Bache
July 27, 17837 1/4" x 9"

Passy, A.L.S. 2p. and add., end. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.23) Mentions his grandpapa, B. Franklin.

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

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to his Mother [Sarah] Bache
July 27, 17837 1/4" x 9"

Passy, A.L.S. 2p. and add., end. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.24)

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

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to his papa and Mama [Richard and Sarah Bache]
Sept. 13, 17837 1/4" x 9"

Passy, A.L.S. 2p., end. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.25) Is now living at Passy with his grandpapa and cousin.

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

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to his Papa and Mamma [Richard and Sarah Bache]
Oct. 30, 1783 

Passy, Photostat of c. of L. 1p. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.31) Is with his grandfather at Passy. Air balloons. Experiments made by his cousin [W.T. Franklin]. From copy in Yale university lib.

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

Passy, A.L.S. 2p. and add., end. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.27) Is learning to print. His grandfather longs to go to America.

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

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to his Mamma [Sarah Bache]
Dec. 27, 17837 1/4" x 9 1/4"

Passy, A.L.S. 2p. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.26) Is learning to print. Went to Paris to see the illuminations made for the peace. Air balloons.

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

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to Mon cher ami
Jan. 19, 17848" x 9 1/2"

Passy, Letterpress c. of A.L.S. 1p. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no. 28) Mentions his grandfather, B. Franklin.

General physical description: 8" x 9 1/2"

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to Rich[ard] Bache
Nov. 11, 17847 1/2" x 9"

Passy, A.L.S. 1p. and add., end. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no. 29) Is learning to cast types; hopes his grandfather will be able to go to America the following summer.

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

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to his Mamma [Sarah Bache]
Feb. 9, 17857 1/4" x 9"

Passy, A.L.S. 1p. and add., end. (see his Letters to B. Franklin and R. and S. Bache, no.30) Addressed to Rich. Bache. Mentions his grandfather, B. Franklin; still learning to cast types.

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

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to [Margaret H. Markoe]
May 2-10, 17908-1/2x6-1/2

Philadelphia, A.L. 4p. (see B.F.Bache Papers.) Death of Franklin and distribution of his estate according to the will. Originally cataloged as: B B122.4

General physical description: 8-1/2x6-1/2

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Receipted bill to Robert Frazer
June 8, 17935 3/4" x 8 1/4"

A.D.S. 1p. and end. Payment for printing, Sept. 16,1792-Feb. 15,1793.

General physical description: 5 3/4" x 8 1/4"

 Letter to William Bache
1795 June 16 

Abstract: Bache writes to his brother William telling how he would very much like to get a copy of the new Jay's Treaty so it might be printed.

Custodial history: The letter was purchased in Dec. 2017 from MBA Auction in Renton, Washingtom State, lot. no. 324.


Occupation(s): Journalists -- Pennsylvania.

Subject(s): Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation, with the United States of America (1794 November 19); Aurora (Philadelphia, Pa.)

B B122.w Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Will
Sept. 7, 179813 3/4" x 8"

D.S. 2p. and end. Witnessed, Nov. 13,1798, and S: James Robinson, Wm. Duane. Deposited by the Register of Wills Office, Phila.; Dec.10,1954 - restricted., cf. terms of use, Legal folder.

General physical description: 13 3/4" x 8"

Other Descriptive Information: Not found 5/2011

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to W[illia]m Jones, 2nd St.
Undated5 1/2" x 8 1/2"

n.d. A.L.S. 1p. and add., end. Regarding delivery of newspaper.  Originally cataloged as B B122.1

General physical description: 5 1/2" x 8 1/2"

 Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Series Two: Letters to Robert Alexander
June 20 1785 -Oct. 21, 1787 

Photostats of A.L.S. 6 items. In French and English. (originals in the Samuel M. Wilson Library, University of Kentucky.) Letters dated: June 20, July 2, July 16, Oct. 30, 1785; Oct. 16, 1786. and Oct. 21, 1787. Refers to B. Franklin.

Originally cataloged as B122.3 no.1-6