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Bache and Wistar Family Correspondence
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Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
The Bache family is directly related to Benjamin Franklin. Sarah Franklin Bache, born on September 11, 1743, was the daughter of Benjamin. In 1767 she married Richard Bache against her father's will. However, after the birth of her first son, Benjamin Franklin reconciled himself to the match. That first son went on to be a political actor like his grandfather. Sarah's grandson through her first son was a physician, chemist, and author, who served as a military doctor from 1813 to 1816. Before her death in October of 1808, Sarah had eight children with Richard.
History of the Wistar Family
The Wistar family was another Philadelphia family. Richard Wistar, a glass manufacturer, had a son Caspar. Caspar became a doctor, and after spending time in Edinburgh and touring continental Europe, he returned to Philadelphia. There he was connected with the University of Pennsylvania Medical School for thirty years, and became a prominent and popular personality in the Philadelphia social circle. One of eight children, Caspar was part of a large network of Wistars.
Consists of thirty-five letters of the Bache family of Philadelphia, direct descendants of Benjamin Franklin, and of a related Philadelphia family, Wistar. Among those family members represented are Catharine Wistar Bache, Sarah Franklin Bache, and William Bache.
The following standard abbreviation is used to identify materials in this collection: ALS = autograph letter signed.
The collection has been arranged alphabetically by correspondent.
The following sources were consulted during preparation of biographical note: American National Biography.
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This collection was processed by Jim Flannery '06 in 2003. Finding aid written by Jim Flannery '06 in 2003.
Biography written by Alyxandra Cullen, '09.
People
- Publisher
- Manuscripts Division
- Finding Aid Author
- Jim Flannery '06
- Finding Aid Date
- 2003
- Access Restrictions
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Collection is open for research use.
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