Deborah Read
Encyclopedia
Deborah Read Franklin was the spouse of Benjamin Franklin
, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, and a prominent inventor, printer, thinker, and revolutionary.
's failure to follow through on promises of support, Read married John Rogers, who fled soon after. Because of this, Benjamin and Deborah were not free to marry formally. John Rogers disappeared into history, after spending Deborah's dowry
, incurring much debt, and using the marriage to further his own schemes.
Shortly after John Rogers was found and stabbed to death.
in 1730. They had two children together: Francis Folger Franklin (October 20, 1732 - November 21, 1736), who died of smallpox
at age four, and Sarah Franklin Bache
(September 11, 1743 – October 5, 1808), called Sally. Together they also raised William Franklin
, Franklin's illegitimate son and future Colonial Governor of New Jersey.
due to a fear of ocean travel. In spite of their separations, they remained loyal and supportive partners on to another for half a century. In the late 1760s and early 1770s, Deborah suffered a series of strokes that slurred her speech and memory.
on December 24, 1774, while Benjamin was on an extended trip to England.
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, and a prominent inventor, printer, thinker, and revolutionary.
Life Before Second Marriage
Franklin proposed to fifteen-year-old Read in 1724 when he was seventeen years old, but her mother would not consent to the marriage, citing Franklin's pending trip to England and financial instability. While Franklin was away in England, having been stranded there by Sir William KeithWilliam Keith (Colonial Governor)
Sir William Keith, Bt was a lieutenant-governor of colonial Pennsylvania and Delaware.Keith was born in Boddam Castle near Peterhead, Scotland to Sir William Keith, Baronet, of Ludquhairn, Scotland and Lady Jean Keith. He was baptised on 16 February 1680. As eldest son, he stood to inherit the...
's failure to follow through on promises of support, Read married John Rogers, who fled soon after. Because of this, Benjamin and Deborah were not free to marry formally. John Rogers disappeared into history, after spending Deborah's dowry
Dowry
A dowry is the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings forth to the marriage. It contrasts with bride price, which is paid to the bride's parents, and dower, which is property settled on the bride herself by the groom at the time of marriage. The same culture may simultaneously practice both...
, incurring much debt, and using the marriage to further his own schemes.
Shortly after John Rogers was found and stabbed to death.
Marriage to Benjamin Franklin
When Franklin returned, he and Deborah began a common-law marriageCommon-law marriage
Common-law marriage, sometimes called sui juris marriage, informal marriage or marriage by habit and repute, is a form of interpersonal status that is legally recognized in limited jurisdictions as a marriage even though no legally recognized marriage ceremony is performed or civil marriage...
in 1730. They had two children together: Francis Folger Franklin (October 20, 1732 - November 21, 1736), who died of smallpox
Smallpox
Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
at age four, and Sarah Franklin Bache
Sarah Franklin Bache
Sarah Franklin “Sally” Bache was the daughter of Benjamin Franklin and Deborah Read.Known as "Sally" throughout her life, she was an ardent American patriot during the Revolutionary War through relief work and as her father's political hostess...
(September 11, 1743 – October 5, 1808), called Sally. Together they also raised William Franklin
William Franklin
William Franklin was an American soldier and colonial administrator. He served as the last Colonial Governor of New Jersey. Franklin was a steadfast Loyalist throughout the American War of Independence, despite his father Benjamin Franklin's role as one of the most prominent Patriots during the...
, Franklin's illegitimate son and future Colonial Governor of New Jersey.
Later life
Benjamin Franklin did not leave London to visit Deborah even after she wrote to him in November 1769 saying her illness was due to “dissatisfied distress” because of his prolonged absence. She did not accompany him on his frequent trips to EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
due to a fear of ocean travel. In spite of their separations, they remained loyal and supportive partners on to another for half a century. In the late 1760s and early 1770s, Deborah suffered a series of strokes that slurred her speech and memory.
Death
Deborah Read Franklin died of a strokeStroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
on December 24, 1774, while Benjamin was on an extended trip to England.
External links
- Deborah Read Rogers from the Franklin InstituteFranklin InstituteThe Franklin Institute is a museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and one of the oldest centers of science education and development in the United States, dating to 1824. The Institute also houses the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial.-History:On February 5, 1824, Samuel Vaughn Merrick and...