Tench Francis (Jr.)
Encyclopedia
Tench Francis was a merchant, lawyer and agent for the family of William Penn
and the first cashier of the Bank of North America
.
He was born the son of Elizabeth Turbitt and Tench Francis (Sr.)
, a prominent Philadelphia lawyer and jurist, at Fausley, Talbot County, Maryland
, in 1730. For many years he acted as agent for the William Penn
family in connection with their proprietary interests in provincial Pennsylvania
. He became the first cashier of the Bank of North America
, which office he held until his death. He is said to have contributed £5,000 for the support of the Revolutionary army. He later headed the commission that laid out the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
. His appointment as purveyor of public supplies in February 1795 unified Navy pursers under a single head, and it is from this event that the Navy Supply Corps dates its birth.
He married Ann Willing, daughter of Philadelphia mayor Charles Willing
and Ann Shippen.
Francis died in Philadelphia, 1 May 1800; he is buried in Christ Church Burial Ground
.
William Penn
William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
and the first cashier of the Bank of North America
Bank of North America
The Bank of North America was a private business chartered on December 31, 1781 by the Congress of the Confederation and opened on January 7, 1782, at the prodding of Superintendent of Finance Robert Morris. This was thus the nation's first de facto central bank. It was succeeded in its role as...
.
He was born the son of Elizabeth Turbitt and Tench Francis (Sr.)
Tench Francis (Sr.)
Tench Francis was a prominent lawyer and jurist in colonial Maryland and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
, a prominent Philadelphia lawyer and jurist, at Fausley, Talbot County, Maryland
Talbot County, Maryland
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*81.4% White*12.8% Black*0.2% Native American*1.2% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.6% Two or more races*2.7% Other races*5.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, in 1730. For many years he acted as agent for the William Penn
William Penn
William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
family in connection with their proprietary interests in provincial 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...
. He became the first cashier of the Bank of North America
Bank of North America
The Bank of North America was a private business chartered on December 31, 1781 by the Congress of the Confederation and opened on January 7, 1782, at the prodding of Superintendent of Finance Robert Morris. This was thus the nation's first de facto central bank. It was succeeded in its role as...
, which office he held until his death. He is said to have contributed £5,000 for the support of the Revolutionary army. He later headed the commission that laid out the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
. His appointment as purveyor of public supplies in February 1795 unified Navy pursers under a single head, and it is from this event that the Navy Supply Corps dates its birth.
He married Ann Willing, daughter of Philadelphia mayor Charles Willing
Charles Willing
Charles Willing was a successful Philadelphia merchant, trader and politician; twice he served as Mayor of Philadelphia, from 1748 to 1749 and again in 1754.-Family:...
and Ann Shippen.
Francis died in Philadelphia, 1 May 1800; he is buried in Christ Church Burial Ground
Christ Church Burial Ground
Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is an important early-American cemetery. It is the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin and his wife, Deborah. Four other signers of the Declaration of Independence are buried here, Dr. Benjamin Rush, Francis Hopkinson, Joseph Hewes...
.