Mary Morrell Folger facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Morrell Folger
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|---|---|
| Born |
Mary Morrell (Morrel/Morrill/Morrills/Morill)
Circa 1620 |
| Died | 1704 |
| Known for | Grandmother of Benjamin Franklin and being noted in Herman Melville's fictional Moby-Dick |
| Spouse(s) | Peter Folger |
| Children | Nine, including Abiah, wife of Josiah Franklin |
| Relatives | Grandson, Founding Father Benjamin Franklin |
Mary Folger (born Morrell, around 1620–1704) was a very important person in American history. She was the grandmother of Benjamin Franklin. He was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Mary Folger is also mentioned in the famous book Moby-Dick by Herman Melville. She is noted as an ancestor of the Folger family of whalers.
Contents
Mary Folger's Life Story
Mary Folger traveled to America from Norwich, England, in 1635. She sailed to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. On the ship, she worked as a maid for a family. This was because she was an indentured servant. This meant she had to work for a certain time to pay for her trip.
Meeting Peter Folger
On the same ship was a young man named Peter Folger. He and his parents were also traveling to America. Peter liked Mary very much. He paid 20 pounds to free her from her service. He later said this was the best money he ever spent!
Family Life and Moving Around
Mary and Peter Folger got married in 1644. They first lived in Watertown, Massachusetts. In 1660, they moved to Martha's Vineyard. Peter was a teacher and also helped translate for the Wampanoag people.
Mary and Peter had nine children together. Eight of their children were born on Martha's Vineyard. In 1663, the family moved to Nantucket. They were among the first European families to live there. Their youngest daughter, Abiah, was born in Nantucket in 1667.
A Famous Grandson
Abiah grew up and married a candle-maker named Josiah Franklin in Boston. They had a son who became very famous: Benjamin Franklin. He was a scientist, writer, inventor, and one of the leaders who helped create the United States.
Mary's husband, Peter, passed away in 1690. Mary herself died in 1704. They are both buried in the Founders Burial Ground in Nantucket.
Mary Folger's Legacy
Mary Folger is remembered in the famous novel Moby-Dick. In the book, author Herman Melville writes about the whaling industry. He mentions Mary Folger to show that whalers had good, strong family backgrounds.
Melville wrote that Mary Morrell (who became Mary Folger) was an early settler of Nantucket. She was the ancestor of many Folgers who became skilled whalers. He said they were "all kith and kin to noble Benjamin" Franklin. This means they were all related to him.
