When Franklin was unable to find appropriate living accommodations near his job, Read's father allowed him to rent a room in the family home.

However, Read's mother, Sarah, would not consent to the marriage, citing Franklin's pending trip to London and financial instability.

Franklin subsequently became stranded in London after Sir William Keith failed to follow through on promises of financial support.

[5][6] In Franklin's absence, Read was persuaded by her mother to marry John Rogers, a British man who has been identified variously as a carpenter or a potter.

[9] Soon afterward, unconfirmed reports circulated that Rogers had made his way to the British West Indies, where he was killed in a fight.

At that time, the law in the Province of Pennsylvania would not grant a divorce on the grounds of desertion; nor could Read claim to be a widow, as there was no proof that Rogers was dead.

If Rogers returned after Read legally married Franklin, she faced a charge of bigamy which carried the penalty of thirty-nine lashes on the bare back and life imprisonment with hard labor.

Read also helped to raise Franklin's illegitimate son William, whose mother's identity remains unknown.

He was appointed the first postmaster of Philadelphia and was heavily involved in social and political affairs that would eventually lead to the establishment of the United States.

While Franklin stayed overseas for the next five years, Read remained in Philadelphia where, despite her limited education, she successfully ran her husband's businesses, maintained their home, cared for the couple's children and regularly attended Quaker Meeting.

[18] In November 1769, Read wrote Franklin saying that her stroke, declining health and depressed mental state were a result of her "dissatisfied distress" due to his prolonged absence.