Rebecca Franks
Encyclopedia
Rebecca Franks was a prominent member of loyalist
society in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
during the American Revolution
.
She was born in New York about 1760, the daughter and youngest child of David Franks
, a businessman, and the sister of Abigail (1745–1798), the wife of Andrew Hamilton (son of the noted attorney of the same name
and proprietor of "The Woodlands"), and the niece of Phila Franks, who married Oliver De Lancey an American loyalist politician and a Major General during the American War of Independence.
During the War of Independence, she, like her father, sided with Great Britain
, and during the British occupation of Philadelphia in 1778 she took part in the "Mischianza
," a celebrated, elaborate fête given in honor of departing British General Sir William Howe
, and at which Major John André
presided. "The Times, a Poem by Camilio Querno, Poet Laureate of the Congress," a loyalist composition, has been attributed to her. Her literary ability, as well as her vivacity and wit, were well known; she carried on a correspondence with prominent men, and General Charles Lee
of the Continental army
addressed to her a letter that attracted much attention, being published in the magazines of the day.
In 1782 in New York, she married Lieutenant-Colonel (later General) Henry Johnson
, G.C.B., and moved to Bath, England. Johnson distinguished himself by an act of gallantry in one of the outbreaks of rebellion in Ireland
, and received the honor of knighthood, whereupon Rebecca became Lady Johnson. They had two sons, one of whom was killed at the Battle of Waterloo
. She remained in Bath until her death in September 1823.
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...
society in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
during 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...
.
She was born in New York about 1760, the daughter and youngest child of David Franks
David Franks (loyalist)
David Franks was a loyalist in the war of the American Revolution.-Biography:...
, a businessman, and the sister of Abigail (1745–1798), the wife of Andrew Hamilton (son of the noted attorney of the same name
Andrew Hamilton (lawyer)
Andrew Hamilton was a Scottish lawyer in Colonial America, best known for his legal victory on behalf of printer and newspaper publisher John Peter Zenger. This 1735 decision helped to establish that truth is a defense to an accusation of libel...
and proprietor of "The Woodlands"), and the niece of Phila Franks, who married Oliver De Lancey an American loyalist politician and a Major General during the American War of Independence.
During the War of Independence, she, like her father, sided with Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, and during the British occupation of Philadelphia in 1778 she took part in 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....
," a celebrated, elaborate fête given in honor of departing British General Sir William Howe
William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe
William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe, KB, PC was a British army officer who rose to become Commander-in-Chief of British forces during the American War of Independence...
, and at which Major John André
John André
John André was a British army officer hanged as a spy during the American War of Independence. This was due to an incident in which he attempted to assist Benedict Arnold's attempted surrender of the fort at West Point, New York to the British.-Early life:André was born on May 2, 1750 in London to...
presided. "The Times, a Poem by Camilio Querno, Poet Laureate of the Congress," a loyalist composition, has been attributed to her. Her literary ability, as well as her vivacity and wit, were well known; she carried on a correspondence with prominent men, and General Charles Lee
Charles Lee
Charles Lee may refer to:*Charles Lee , former NFL player*Charles Lee *Charles Lee , British author*Charles Lee *Charles Lee...
of the Continental army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
addressed to her a letter that attracted much attention, being published in the magazines of the day.
In 1782 in New York, she married Lieutenant-Colonel (later General) Henry Johnson
Henry Johnson
Henry Johnson may refer to:*Henry Johnson , member of Parliament for Aldeburgh 1689–1719*Henry Johnson , American jazz musician*Henry Johnson...
, G.C.B., and moved to Bath, England. Johnson distinguished himself by an act of gallantry in one of the outbreaks of rebellion in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, and received the honor of knighthood, whereupon Rebecca became Lady Johnson. They had two sons, one of whom was killed at the Battle of Waterloo
Battle of Waterloo
The Battle of Waterloo was fought on Sunday 18 June 1815 near Waterloo in present-day Belgium, then part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands...
. She remained in Bath until her death in September 1823.
Sources
- Elizabeth F. Ellet, The Women of the American Revolution, Third Edition. New York: Baker and Scribner, 1849.
- Abigail Franks, Edith Belle Gelles, The Letters of Abigaill Levy Franks, 1733-1748 published 2004, Yale University Press, ISBN 030010345X
- George Washington's Expense Account, by Gen. George Washington and Marvin Kitman, Published 2001, Grove Press, ISBN 0802137733