Benjamin Franklin Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-07-02-0070

Power of Attorney to Deborah Franklin, 4 April 1757

Power of Attorney to Deborah Franklin

Printed form with MS insertions in blanks: American Philosophical Society

[April 4, 1757]

Know all Men by these Presents, That I Benjamin Franklin of the City of Philadelphia Printer Have constituted, made and appointed, and by these Presents do constitute, make and appoint, my trusty and loving Friend and Wife Deborah Franklin, to be my true and lawful Attorney, for me, and in my Name and Stead, and to my Use, to ask, demand, sue for, levy, recover and receive, all such Sum and Sums of Money, Debts, Rents, Goods, Wares, Dues, Accounts, and other Demands whatsoever, which are or shall be due, owing, payable, and belonging to me, or detained from me any Manner of Ways or Means whatsoever by any Person or Persons whatsoever or whomsoever Giving and Granting unto my said Attorney, by these Presents, my full and whole Powers, Strength and Authority, in and about the Premises, to have, use and take, all lawful Ways and Means in my Name for the Recovery thereof, and upon the Receipt of any such Debts, Dues, or Sums of Money aforesaid, Acquittances or other sufficient Discharges, for me, and in my Name, to make, seal and deliver; and generally all and every other Act and Acts, Thing and Things, Device or Devices, in the Law whatsoever, needful and necessary to be done in and about the Premises, for me, and in my Name, to do, execute and perform, as fully, largely and amply, to all Intents and Purposes, as I myself might or could do, if I was personally present, or as if the Matter required more especial Authority than is herein given; and Attorneys one or more under her for the Purpose aforesaid, to make and constitute, and again at Pleasure to revoke; ratifying, allowing and holding, for firm and effectual, all and whatsoever my said Attorney shall lawfully do in and about the Premises, by Virtue hereof. In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal, this fourth Day of April in the twenty-ninth Year of his Majesty’s Reign, Annoque Domini One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty-seven.

B Franklin

Sealed and delivered in
   the Presence of us,

Jacob Duché5

Jacob Duché junr

Endorsed: Power of Attorney to D. Franklin

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

5Jacob Duché (1708–1788), Philadelphia merchant, colonel of the Philadelphia County Regiment of militia, 1756, vestryman of Christ Church. His son Jacob Duché, Jr. (1738–1798), graduated in the first class of the College of Philadelphia, 1757, where he taught oratory after further study at Cambridge University and ordination as a deacon. The son entered the priesthood in 1762 and succeeded Richard Peters in 1775 as rector of the united parishes of Christ Church and St. Peter’s. He was made chaplain of the Continental Congress but later changed his sentiments, urged the recall of the Declaration of Independence, and went to England in 1777. Most of his property was confiscated but he was finally allowed to return to Philadelphia in 1792. In his last years he was converted to Swedenborgianism. DAB; Edward D. Neill, “Rev. Jacob Duché, The First Chaplain of Congress,” PMHB, II (1878), 58–73. On the changes in his attitude toward BF see below, p. 207 n.

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