Peter Folger (1617-1690)
Encyclopedia
Peter Folger was a poet and is more commonly known as the maternal Grandfather of Benjamin Franklin
, and was instrumental in the colonization of Nantucket Island in the Massachusetts
colony.
Peter Folger was born in Norfolk
, England
, son of John Folger, in 1617. He came to America in 1635 with his father, settling initially in Watertown, Massachusetts
, and later moving to Martha's Vineyard
, where he worked as a teacher and surveyor. In 1644 He married Mary Morrill, whom he may have met on the voyage from England. At the Vineyard Folger supported himself by teaching school and surveying land. He also worked with Thomas Mayhew
to convert the native American population to Christianity, during which time he learned to speak the native language.
From time to time between 1659 and 1662, Folger journeyed to Nancucket in order to survey it for the proprietors. In 1663 Folger moved to Nantucket full time, having been granted a half a share of land by the proprietors, where he was a surveyor, an Indian interpretor, and clerk in the courts. Shortly thereafter, Folger's daughter, Abiah, was born, later to become the mother of Benjamin Franklin
.
A Baptist missionary, teacher, and surveyor his dealings with the native population promoted harmony between the Native Americans and European settlers. His grandson, Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, son of Peter's daughter Abiah, referred to him fondly in his autobiography.
Folger died at Nantucket, Massachusetts in 1690. His wife Mary lived until 1704.
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
, and was instrumental in the colonization of Nantucket Island in the Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
colony.
Peter Folger was born in Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, son of John Folger, in 1617. He came to America in 1635 with his father, settling initially in Watertown, Massachusetts
Watertown, Massachusetts
The Town of Watertown is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 31,915 at the 2010 census.- History :Archeological evidence suggests that Watertown was inhabited for thousands of years before the arrival of settlers from England...
, and later moving to Martha's Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard is an island located south of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, known for being an affluent summer colony....
, where he worked as a teacher and surveyor. In 1644 He married Mary Morrill, whom he may have met on the voyage from England. At the Vineyard Folger supported himself by teaching school and surveying land. He also worked with Thomas Mayhew
Thomas Mayhew
Thomas Mayhew, Sr. established the first English settlement of Martha's Vineyard in 1642.-Biography:He was born in Tisbury, in the county of Wiltshire in England. He married Anna Parkhurst, born about 1600, in Hampshire, England, daughter of Matthew Parkhurst...
to convert the native American population to Christianity, during which time he learned to speak the native language.
From time to time between 1659 and 1662, Folger journeyed to Nancucket in order to survey it for the proprietors. In 1663 Folger moved to Nantucket full time, having been granted a half a share of land by the proprietors, where he was a surveyor, an Indian interpretor, and clerk in the courts. Shortly thereafter, Folger's daughter, Abiah, was born, later to become the mother of Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
.
A Baptist missionary, teacher, and surveyor his dealings with the native population promoted harmony between the Native Americans and European settlers. His grandson, Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, son of Peter's daughter Abiah, referred to him fondly in his autobiography.
Folger died at Nantucket, Massachusetts in 1690. His wife Mary lived until 1704.
- Joanna B. 1645 Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts M. John Coleman 1666 D. 18 July 1719 Nantucket, Massachusetts
- Bethia B. 1646 Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts M. John Barnard 26 Feb 1668 D. 6 June 1669 (both drowned in a boating accident)
- Dorcas B. 1647 Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts M Joseph Pratt 12 Feb 1675 D. 24 Dec 1712 Charlestown, Massachusetts
- Eleazer B. 1648 Edgertown, Massachusetts, M. Sara Gardner 1671 D.19 Dec 1716 Nantucket, Massachusetts
- Bathsheba B. 1652 Martha’s Vineyard M. Joseph Pope 1676 d. 1726 Salem, Massachusetts
- Patience B 1656 Martha's Vineyard M. John Harker 1680, then M. James Gardner 1696 D. 18 Jan 1717 Nantucket, Massachusetts
- John B. 1659 Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts M. Mary Barnard 1688 D. 23 Aug 1732 Nantucket, Massachusetts
- Abiah B. 15 Aug 1667 Boston Massachusetts M. Josiah Franklin 25 Nov 1689 d. 18 May 1752 Boston Massachusetts (Benjamin FranklinBenjamin FranklinDr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
's Maternal Grandmother) - Experience B. 1668 Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts M. John Swain 1687 D. 4 June 1739 Nantucket, Massachusetts
Works
- A Looking Glass for the Times, or the Former Spirit of New England Revived in this Generation (1675)
- A Denunciation of War