Peter Foulger

Who was Peter Foulger?

Peter Foulger was an interpreter of the American Indian language for the first settlers of Nantucket. He was the grandfather of Benjamin Franklin.

His surname is often spelled "Folger," which was the form used by his descendants. He lived in Martha's Vineyard until 1663. He married Mary Morrill in 1644. Their ninth child, Abiah, married Josiah Franklin. He was a Baptist in faith, and as such was told not to visit with the Puritans on the mainland. When Nantucket was settled, he was a surveyor for the residents, and given a half-share of Nantucket land.

A likely descendant, J. A. Folger of Nantucket, founded Folgers Coffee.