Son-in-law to Franklin. Merchant and postal official.

Left England to join his brother Theophylact, a New York merchant (1765). Soon afterwards he moved to Philadelphia where he eventually became a successful merchant and insurance purveyor.

During the Revolutionary War he served on the Pennsylvania Committee of Correspondence and the Pennsylvania Board of War. He was also United States postmaster general (1776-82).

Born in Settle, Yorkshire, England. Married Sarah (Sally) Franklin in 1767; seven children survived infancy.