Nathaniel Folsom facts for kids

Nathaniel Folsom (born September 28, 1726 – died May 26, 1790) was an important American businessman and leader. He represented New Hampshire in the Continental Congress in 1774 and again from 1777 to 1780. He also signed the Continental Association, a key agreement during the American Revolution. During the American Revolutionary War, he served as a major general in the New Hampshire Militia.

Early Life and Family

Nathaniel Folsom was born into a large family in Exeter, New Hampshire. His family were among the first people to settle in Exeter. They had moved there from Hingham, Massachusetts, and originally came from Hingham, Norfolk, England. The family name used to be spelled "Foulsham."

Nathaniel's father, Jonathan Folsom, and mother, Ann Ladd, had many children. Nathaniel was one of twelve siblings! When his father passed away in 1740, thirteen-year-old Nathaniel started working for a merchant.

Becoming a Businessman

Nathaniel Folsom invested in timber and opened a sawmill. In 1761, he joined with his distant cousins, Joseph and Josiah Gilman. Their company was called Folsom, Gilman & Gilman. They opened a general store, built ships, and traded goods with other countries.

Their business operated in Exeter and Portsmouth. Although the partners separated in 1768, Folsom continued his work in international trade, timber, and lumber for the rest of his life.

Family Life

Folsom married twice. His first wife was Dorothy Smith (1726–1776). They had several children, including Nathaniel, Dorothy, Jonathan, Anna, Arthur, Mary, and Deborah. Deborah later became the first wife of New Hampshire Governor John Taylor Gilman, and Mary was his second wife.

After Dorothy passed away, Folsom married Mary Fisher. They had one daughter named Ruth Weare.

Military Service

Like many young men, Nathaniel Folsom joined the local militia. During the French and Indian War, he was a captain in the New Hampshire Provincial Regiment. This was part of the Crown Point expedition in 1755, led by Sir William Johnson.

Battle of Lake George

At the Battle of Lake George, Folsom's company, supported by soldiers from Massachusetts, surprised the French commander-in-chief, Baron Dieskau. They captured the Baron and scattered the French troops. They also seized important supplies and a baggage train. Folsom's company lost only six men in this successful action.

Revolutionary War Role

Folsom later became a colonel in the Fourth Regiment of the New Hampshire Militia. However, Governor John Wentworth removed his official rank after a raid on Fort William and Mary in December 1774. Even without his official commission, Colonel Folsom led his regiment to Portsmouth. They safely escorted captured cannons back to Durham.

As the Revolutionary War began, the Provincial Congress made him a brigadier general. He was put in charge of New Hampshire's forces. This caused some confusion because Massachusetts had given the same rank to John Stark. The confusion was cleared up in June 1775. The Continental Congress named John Sullivan as general of New Hampshire forces serving with the Continental Army. Folsom then became the main officer for militia forces within New Hampshire. He was later promoted to major general. He continued to help recruit, train, and supply soldiers throughout the war.

Political Career

Nathaniel Folsom served for many years as the moderator for town meetings in Exeter. When the revolutionary Provincial Congress first met on July 21, 1774, he was a delegate. The Provincial Congress chose him to represent New Hampshire at the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia. There, he signed the Continental Association.

The Association Test

Folsom was a member of Congress when the future of the Revolution seemed uncertain. At this time, many people in the country still supported Great Britain. These people were called Tories. It became important to know who supported independence and who did not.

The Continental Congress created a way to find out. All people who supported liberty and independence had to sign a promise. This promise meant they would fight against the British with weapons and money. This was called the Association Test. Anyone who refused to sign was disarmed and carefully watched. Any actions against independence were reported to the Committee of Safety. This committee was a group of men chosen by the General Assembly. Their decisions were as important as laws passed by the Assembly.

Later Political Roles

From 1775 to 1783, Folsom continued to serve in the provincial congress. He became a close political friend of Meshech Weare and Josiah Bartlett. He was also named to the New Hampshire Committee of Safety. In January 1776, he became a judge in the Rockingham County court. In 1777 and 1779, he was again chosen as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress.

In 1783, he became the chief judge in the common pleas court. That same year, he led the state's constitutional convention. When a new constitution was adopted, Folsom, as president of the convention, wrote a cover letter. He then sent the constitution to towns for their approval.

One goal of the new constitution was to limit how many jobs one person could hold. Because of this, Folsom resigned from the Assembly, his military leadership, and the Governor's Council. He remained the chief judge in Rockingham County until his death in Exeter on May 26, 1790. He is buried in Exeter's Winter Street Cemetery.