Major David Salisbury Franks - Philadelphia, PA
N 39° 57.145 W 075° 08.881
18S E 487356 N 4422486
In Christ Church Burial Ground, here lies the highest ranking Jewish officer in the Continental Army and possible the only Jew buried here. His original marker is gone but a modern, black, synthetic marker acts as a head stone.
Waymark Code: WMCZ9P
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 10/29/2011
Views: 7
The burial spot of this important officer is just inside the Arch Street Gates and immediately to the left in front of the brick wall. Make sure you stop next to the kiosk and pay your two dollars.
David Salisbury Franks (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1740–1793, Philadelphia) was aide-de-camp for General Benedict Arnold during the American War of Independence. He was living in Quebec with his parents when the American Revolution broke out. According to the late historian Jacob Rader Marcus, because Franks publicly defended the right of a protester to compare King George III of England to the Pope and call him a fool, Franks was jailed and held for 16 days. The experience converted him to the colonists' cause, and, when an army led by Benedict Arnold and Richard Montgomery invaded Canada in 1775, Franks joined the American forces. He was appointed paymaster of the Continental Army in Quebec and apparently expended his own funds to pay the salaries of the American volunteers. Franks was promoted to major and was assigned as Arnold's aide-de-camp.
On the failure of the American campaign in Canada, Franks withdrew in July 1776 to Philadelphia, where he joined the Continental Army and served until October 1777. Because he spoke French, Franks was then assigned as liaison officer to the Comte d'Estaing, commander of the French naval forces fighting on the American side.
The grave marker reads:
MAJ. DAVID
SALISBURY FRANKS
The highest-ranking Jewish officer
in the Continental Army and
member of the American
diplomatic serice. He died on
October 7, 1793 at age 53 in the
Yellow Fever Epidemic. While
being wheeled to the Strangers'
Burial Ground (now Washington
Square), his body was taken from
the cart of his friend Honest John
Thompson and buried in Christ
Church Burial Ground. His original
marker no longer exists
___________________________
Donated by the Feinstein Center at Temple University
American Jewish Committee and the Christ Church
Preservation Trust
Visit Instructions:PLEASE NOTE: This category is for American Revolutionary War Veterans only. Veterans of other revolutions are not part of this category.
I have allowed one entry for a grave of British solders, but it was an exception. Please only list graves for Colonial soldiers.
Simply visit the locations. Please provide as much information as possible. Pictures would be a great addition.