Duplessis, Joseph-Siffred

Henrietta D. Pepper, a descendant of Franklin, left this painting to The Franklin Institute in her will after life interest to her sister, Caroline D. Bache, expired. In a letter dated February 21, 1958, from the First Pennsylvania Banking and Trust Company (the company appointed as Executor of the Estate of Caroline D. Bache), it is stated that Miss Bache had a life interest in the portrait of Benjamin Franklin now located in the dining room of her apartment, which her sister, Henrietta D. Pepper, left by her will to The Franklin Institute.

Both women were the children of Albert Dabadie Bache, the son of Franklin Bache. Franklin Bache was the nephew to whom Thomas Hewson Bache willed several Franklin artifacts, including a portrait he described as "my original portrait of Dr. Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin West." (Is it possible that this is that portrait?)