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Richard Bache (1737–1811), born in Yorkshire, England, was the son-in-law of Benjamin Franklin. After arriving in Philadelphia from Yorkshire, England, in 1761, Bache prospered as a marine insurance underwriter and importer. In 1767, misfortune struck; debts contracted by him were repudiated by his London associate, Edward Green. Because of his impecunious state and reputation as a fortune hunter, Franklin objected to Bache's proposal to marry his daughter, Sarah. Although Franklin never formally approved, he acquiesced to the marriage in 1767, and afterward he installed Bache as head of the American Post Office. Bache quit the post a few years after Franklin's death (1790) and lived off Franklin's inheritance on a country estate.^[1]

Bache also served on the Board of War. His wife, Sarah Bache (1743–1808), was widely known for patriotism and benevolent activities.

Their son, Richard Bache Jr., served in the Republic of Texas Navy and was elected as a Representative to the Second Texas Legislature in 1847.

Another son was Benjamin Franklin Bache (1769–1798), a major journalist and spokesman for the Jeffersonian Republicans; he strenuously opposed George Washington, John Adams and the Federalist party.

U.S. Navy surgeon Benjamin Franklin Bache (1801–1881) and the physicist Alexander Dallas Bache (1806–1867) were grandsons of Richard Bache Sr. (and thus great-grandsons of Benjamin Franklin).

[edit] References

^ Eugenia W. Herbert, "A Note on Richard Bache (1737–1811)." Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 1976 100(1): 97-103. 0031-4587

Political offices
Preceded by Benjamin Franklin	United States Postmaster General 1776 – 1782	Succeeded by Ebenezer Hazard

[0] Eugenia W. Herbert, "A Note on Richard Bache (1737–1811)." Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 1976 100(1): 97-103. 0031-4587

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