Peter Folger

Peter Folger or Foulger (died 1690) was a poet and an interpreter of the American Indian language for the first settlers of Nantucket. He was instrumental in the colonization of Nantucket Island in the Massachusetts colony. He was the maternal grandfather of Benjamin Franklin.

Life Peter Folger was born in England, the son of John Folger Jr. and Meribah Gibbs. He left Norwich, Norfolk, England where he worked as a teacher and surveyor. Morrell was an indentured servant and Folger bought her freedom from Hugh Peters for £20.

From time to time between 1659 and 1662, Folger journeyed to Nantucket in order to survey it for the proprietors. He did, however, participate in an insurrection of the "half share men" against the larger land owners of the island, and was jailed for a period.

Folger died at Nantucket, Massachusetts, in 1690 and is buried in the Founders Burial Ground. His wife Mary Morrill Folger lived until 1704 and is also buried in the Founders Burial Ground.

Works A Looking Glass for the Times, or the Former Spirit of New England Revived in this Generation (1675) A Denunciation of War