David Franks (loyalist)
Encyclopedia
David Franks was a loyalist
in the war of the American Revolution
.
, 23 September 1720, the youngest son of Jacob Franks (1687‐1769) and Abigail Franks, of a large and prominent Jewish family from England. As a young man, he moved to Philadelphia, where he became a successful merchant, engaging in land speculation, shipping, and fur trading; he was also a member of the Congregation Mikveh Israel. He was elected a member of the provincial assembly in 1748. Franks, with his wife Margaret Evans (1720–1780) of one of Philadelphia's Christian families, was socially prominent in the city.
During the French and Indian War
, he was engaged by the government to supply the army with provisions. In 1755, upon the defeat of General Braddock, he helped to raise a fund of £5,000 for the further defense of the colony. He signed the Non-Importation Resolution of 1765, but eventually his loyalist tendencies won over. During the revolution, he was the king's agent for Pennsylvania. Perceived as a threat to the security of the United States, he was jailed briefly in 1778 by order of Congress, and then imprisoned again in 1780.
From 1771 to 1781 he owned and occupied Woodford
, a mansion in Germantown
, now a National Historic Landmark
, to which he added a second story and a rear two-story addition.
After living in England for a time, Franks returned to Philadelphia in 1783, where he worked as a merchant.
By various accounts, he died in the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793
in Philadelphia, where he was buried in Christ Church Burial Ground
, or returned again to England and died at Isleworth
in October 1794.
.
His nephew, Col. David Salisbury Franks
, a revolutionary who served as aide to Benedict Arnold
, came under further suspicion because of his relationship with his loyalist uncle.
In 1768, his eldest daughter Abigail married Andrew Hamilton (1745–1813), elder brother of William Hamilton, well-known proprietor of "The Woodlands." His youngest daughter Rebecca
became the wife of then British colonel (later General) Sir Henry Johnson, and was one of the prominent young Philadelphians who attended the Mischianza
Ball.
Loyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
in the war of the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
.
Biography
He was born in New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, 23 September 1720, the youngest son of Jacob Franks (1687‐1769) and Abigail Franks, of a large and prominent Jewish family from England. As a young man, he moved to Philadelphia, where he became a successful merchant, engaging in land speculation, shipping, and fur trading; he was also a member of the Congregation Mikveh Israel. He was elected a member of the provincial assembly in 1748. Franks, with his wife Margaret Evans (1720–1780) of one of Philadelphia's Christian families, was socially prominent in the city.
During the French and Indian War
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War is the common American name for the war between Great Britain and France in North America from 1754 to 1763. In 1756, the war erupted into the world-wide conflict known as the Seven Years' War and thus came to be regarded as the North American theater of that war...
, he was engaged by the government to supply the army with provisions. In 1755, upon the defeat of General Braddock, he helped to raise a fund of £5,000 for the further defense of the colony. He signed the Non-Importation Resolution of 1765, but eventually his loyalist tendencies won over. During the revolution, he was the king's agent for Pennsylvania. Perceived as a threat to the security of the United States, he was jailed briefly in 1778 by order of Congress, and then imprisoned again in 1780.
From 1771 to 1781 he owned and occupied Woodford
Woodford (mansion)
Woodford is a historic mansion in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.Built in 1756, Woodford is the first of the great, opulent, late-Georgian mansions to be erected in the Philadelphia area...
, a mansion in Germantown
Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Germantown is a neighborhood in the northwest section of the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, about 7–8 miles northwest from the center of the city...
, now a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
, to which he added a second story and a rear two-story addition.
After living in England for a time, Franks returned to Philadelphia in 1783, where he worked as a merchant.
By various accounts, he died in the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793
Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793
The Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 is believed to have killed several thousand people in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.-Beginnings:...
in Philadelphia, where he was buried in Christ Church Burial Ground
Christ Church Burial Ground
Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is an important early-American cemetery. It is the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin and his wife, Deborah. Four other signers of the Declaration of Independence are buried here, Dr. Benjamin Rush, Francis Hopkinson, Joseph Hewes...
, or returned again to England and died at Isleworth
Isleworth
Isleworth is a small town of Saxon origin sited within the London Borough of Hounslow in west London, England. It lies immediately east of the town of Hounslow and west of the River Thames and its tributary the River Crane. Isleworth's original area of settlement, alongside the Thames, is known as...
in October 1794.
Family
His wife died on 20 September 1780 and is interred at Christ Church Burial GroundChrist Church Burial Ground
Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is an important early-American cemetery. It is the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin and his wife, Deborah. Four other signers of the Declaration of Independence are buried here, Dr. Benjamin Rush, Francis Hopkinson, Joseph Hewes...
.
His nephew, Col. David Salisbury Franks
David Franks
David Salisbury Franks was aide-de-camp for General Benedict Arnold during the American War of Independence.He was living in Quebec with his parents when the American Revolution broke out...
, a revolutionary who served as aide to Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold V was a general during the American Revolutionary War. He began the war in the Continental Army but later defected to the British Army. While a general on the American side, he obtained command of the fort at West Point, New York, and plotted to surrender it to the British forces...
, came under further suspicion because of his relationship with his loyalist uncle.
In 1768, his eldest daughter Abigail married Andrew Hamilton (1745–1813), elder brother of William Hamilton, well-known proprietor of "The Woodlands." His youngest daughter Rebecca
Rebecca Franks
Rebecca Franks was a prominent member of loyalist society in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the American Revolution....
became the wife of then British colonel (later General) Sir Henry Johnson, and was one of the prominent young Philadelphians who attended the Mischianza
Mischianza
The Mischianza , or Meschianza, was an elaborate fête given in honor of British General Sir William Howe in Philadelphia on May 18, 1778....
Ball.