Table of Contents
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

Provenance

Accessioned, 1954.

Location of originals:

Location of the original is unknown.

General physical description

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

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)

Geographic Name(s)

Subject(s)

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

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 Request Series
Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 1769-1798.
Letter to [Benjamin] Franklin;
May 30, 17797" x 9"Request File

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"Request File

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"Request File

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"Request File

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"Request File

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"Request File

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 Request File

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"Request File

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"Request File

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 [B. Franklin];
Oct. 17, 17807 1/2" x 9 1/2"Request File

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"Request File

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"Request File

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"Request File

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"Request File

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"Request File

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"Request File

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"Request File

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"Request File

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"Request File

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"Request File

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"Request File

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"Request File

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"Request File

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"Request File

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"Request File

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 Request File

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"Request File

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"Request File

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"Request File

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"Request File

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"Request File

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, 17908-1/2x6-1/2Request File

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"Request File

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"

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

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"Request File

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 Request Series

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



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