Bache, Catherine Wistar, 1770-1820

Catherine Wistar Bache was the daughter of Caspar Wistar, a Philadelphia physician, and was married to William Bache, grandson of Benjamin Franklin.

From the description of Correspondence, 1788-1820. (American Philosophical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 122380098

Catherine Wistar Bache (1770-1820) was the point of connection between two of Philadelphia's most illustrious families of the late eighteenth century. She married Benjamin Franklin’s grandson Dr. William Bache (1773-1820) in November 1797.

Catherine Wistar Bache was born in Philadelphia in 1770, to Richard Wistar and Sarah Wyatt. Her brother was Caspar Wistar (1761-1818, APS 1787), a physician and professor of anatomy at the University of Pennsylvania

In 1797 Catherine married the physician William Bache, son of Richard Bache and Benjamin Franklin’s daughter Sarah “Sally” Franklin. The following year yellow fever struck the city. In part because of fear of the epidemic, which killed William’s brother Benjamin, and also because of the urging of their friend Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826, APS 1780), the couple decided in early 1799 to move from Philadelphia to Albemarle County, Virginia. In 1800, after a stay of several months at Monticello, they moved into their new house in Franklin, Virginia.

When the farm proved inadequate to support the family, they began to experience financial difficulties. As a result, William Bache sought a government appointment from President Jefferson. In 1802 he was appointed to care for sick American seamen in New Orleans. Meanwhile Catherine Wistar Bache and their children moved back to Philadelphia. They were reunited in 1803 when William was appointed Surveyor of the Port of Philadelphia, a position he held until his death in 1820.

Catherine Wistar Bache died in Philadelphia only three months after her husband, in November 1820. The couple had four children, Sarah Bache (1798-1820), Benjamin Franklin Bache (1801-1881), Emma Mary Bache (1803-1813), and Catherine Wistar Bache (1805-1886).

From the guide to the Catharine Wistar Bache Papers, 1788-1822, (American Philosophical Society)