New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-08
.JUDGE FOLGERS BIRTHPLACE.

"REMINISCENCES OF HIS BoYHooD IN NANTUCKET
HIS RELATIONSHIP AND REsEMBLAScE TO BEN
JAMIN FRANKLIN.
IRON AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT or THE rRibUNEl
NANTUCKET, Mass Oct. 1.-The people OF
this island have taken much interest In the nomination
of Secretary Folger for Governor OF the Empire STATE
for he was born in Nantucket November 16 1878 and
there are many here who remember tie reserVeu anu
dlgnAed boy as schoolmate and companion. From one
OF these lately heard several stories of his youth when
srkngy illustrate the adage that the boy Is father 10
man." The house In which he was porn soou OIL 'no
present site OF the Sherbourne House. when tOger WAS
about years OF IL was destroyed, anu MS Iather
q man of considerable means and prominent III tho
council. and trade of the town, replaced 1t with man
sion which was at time Of the largest houses on
the island THIS still stands Orange-st and IL even IN
these days of architectural pretension commodos ana
stately dwelling. 1t is built flush with tho WIKI
and has an ample yard in the rear, from whence
an uninterrupted view OF the harbor can DC oDtahed
Untl he was thirteen, when his father removed 10
Geneva NJ " he attended the Franklin School, kept by
Nathaniel Barney, Quaker. There are not wanting
stories OF the future secreays successful resistance on
several occasions the will OF his master who though
a OF peace In the Westinghouse on the LORDS Day,
disdaned not the administration OF the carnal weapons
Of birch and strap In the school captain
James Adams, of New-Bedford, aludes with pride
TO the fact that, when boy in the family OF Captain
school He dwcs upon his youthful reserve and dignity
as though these characteristics developed at an
early age and IN striking manner Though IL ala NOT
seem to make him less popular with his schoolnates'
certain judicial gravity obtained him the title OF Chet
Justice Folger among them, In which his Initials were
prophe cay made stand for the title which be aiter
ward gained. Those who keep thesaurus of colnci-
depces will not fail TO this degree more striking
than the initials General Grant the object of so much
comment. 1t will be difficult, however, to impeach the
initials OF the recent ChefJustlce for they are matter
OF careful record in the Old genealogical books oil the
island.
That residence remote from his native town has not
caused Secretary FOlgor to forget the home or MS
earliest years will appear from the following letter.
which possesses in addition general interest from
association sugg SITS and of which the Secretary Is
evidently proud 1t is worth recalling that the Franklin
stock is allied with two other public men beside the
present Secretary OF the Treasury who have hlled
that position. The grandson OF Benjamin Frank
lin Richard Bache. married tho eldest daughter
OF Alexander Dallas, Secretary OF the Treas
ury under Madison from 1914 to 1916.
st later from 1915 to 1Si9 Richard Baches brother
inaw Robert G. Walker Secretary of the Treasury
during the Administration OF Polk These are facts
which bear on doctrine OF heredty with peculiar in
tcrest to all who have had great man in their family
treo and hope for his reappearng person of
precocious OF the line The letter which am
permitted copy is addressed 10 Mr. f. T. Godfrey, oil
Nantucket and runs as follows:
WASHINGTON. d. c., July 81. 1882.
Mr. e. X. GODFREY.
MY DEAR SIR have your note OF the Goth and also
the book which you speak OF in IT, am extremely
thankful to you fOr spent time last evening
in turning pages and stopping here and there upon
them. II Will be pleasure TO take 1t up IN leisure
moments and brighten my memories OF INV birthplace
ynicn [ will never cease to respect and love.
cannot close without thanking you also for the very
complimentary terms in which yOu speak or me. Nhen
was in the senate OF the State OF New-fork, Andrew
H. White. presi lent Of the Cornell Universal ate
United states Minister to Berlin. was also member.
liter had do IN from speaking once, he came To
me and said 81 have just solved pcrplexliy that
have been III. ! lave been trying
for o long time to determine who II IL that
you look like. and 1t has come 10 me- IL Is benjamin
Franklin" Every likely" / said. "fOr Fraukins
mother was a Fulger" so when was at Mentor to see
General Garfield, seated In the drawing-rO0m
awaiting his coming. The door OF the room was open
from above view into IT, AVID %
the pace where sat 1 heard person coming down
sair- hut stopping half way after pause he re
sued MS way aud came into the ROOM IL was General
Garfield. lie said: 81 stopped Oh the stairs when
first got sight YOU nothing struck I'M
familiar your face and head YCu look ike the pictures
If Franklin" &" nave rlght to-" said; mis- mother
was "a Foiger." Very respectfully aud truly yours,
CHARLES j. FOLDER.