Richard Bache: Continental Postmaster and Franklin's Son‑in‑Law

Early life and family

Bache was born in Yorkshire, England, and emigrated to the American colonies in the mid‑1760s, settling initially in New York City. In 1767 he married Sarah Franklin, the only daughter of Benjamin Franklin. Sarah Franklin Bache became a notable patriot and organizer of charitable and relief efforts during the Revolution. The couple raised several children, among them Benjamin Franklin Bache (1769–1798), who became a prominent journalist and printer, and Richard Bache Jr., who later served in the Republic of Texas Navy and was elected as a Representative to the Second Texas Legislature.

Role in the postal service and Revolutionary administration

By the mid‑1770s Bache was working within the colonial postal system under Benjamin Franklin and, as political control shifted during the Revolution, took a leading role in sustaining postal operations. He served as an assistant in 1775–1776 and succeeded Franklin as the Continental Postmaster General, a post he held from 1776 to 1782. Maintaining communication lines during wartime presented logistical and security challenges: routes were disrupted, couriers faced military danger, and the new government required a reliable means to circulate orders, intelligence, and news.

Public duties beyond the post

In addition to running the postal service, Bache took part in wartime governance. He served on committees involved in provisioning and oversight, including the Board of War, where civilian administrators coordinated with military leaders on supplies and organization. His work exemplified the blurred lines in the Revolutionary era between civic administration and military necessity, as civilian officials stepped into roles traditionally handled by established institutions.

Later years and legacy

After leaving the post in the early 1780s, Bache remained a figure connected to the founding generation through both his family ties and public career. He died in 1811. Historically he is often remembered for preserving a functioning postal network at a critical moment in American independence and for his role within a prominent family that participated actively in political, journalistic, and civic life during the republic's early decades.

Notable facts

• Bache worked inside the colonial postal service before becoming the Continental Postmaster General.
• He married Sarah Franklin, daughter of the statesman Benjamin Franklin, in 1767.
• Born in Yorkshire, England, he emigrated to the American colonies and spent time in New York City.
• His descendants were active in later American developments—his son served in the Republic of Texas Navy and held elective office as a Representative.

Bache's career illustrates how private citizens and family networks contributed personnel and administrative continuity during the Revolution. While less famous than his father‑in‑law, his stewardship of communications was a practical foundation for military and political coordination in the struggle for independence.