Sarah Franklin
Bache
 |
| Sarah Franklin Bache by John Hoppner in 1793 [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons |
Died: October 5, 1808, Philadelphia
Sarah Franklin Bache was the only surviving child of Deborah Read and Benjamin Franklin. Yes, that Benjamin Franklin, the founding father. She had an older step-brother, William Franklin, who was Benjamin Franklin's illegitimate son. He was raised as Benjamin and Deborah's son from infancy. Much of her knowledge, political knowledge, she had learned from her father. She was also said to have been a skilled harpsichord player.
Some of this knowledge aided her in her work during the American Revolutionary War. After the passing of her mother, in 1774, she took on the position of political hostess when her father returned, in 1775, from a diplomatic mission in France. Much of the work that she was involved in consisted of relief work. Which also included raising money for the Continental Army. She was also involved with the Ladies Association of Philadelphia. As a leader of the group, they made 2,200 shirts for the Continental Army, for soldiers at Valley Forge during the winter.
Prior to the war, she married Richard Bache on October 29, 1767. She did so despite the concerns of her parents about his financial standing and abilities to support her. They had eight children altogether.
After her father died in 1790, he left most of his estate to her. In 1807 she was diagnosed with cancer and died from the disease in 1808.
The Women of the American Revolution
