America" in 1821

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W a l t e r F o l g e r k n o w n a s " T h e G r e a t e st A s t r o n o me r i n A m e ric a " i n 1 8 2 1

WALTER FOLGER,Jr., the Nantucket genius who completed the first clock in America containing astronomical works, and whose famous design still functions at the Peter Foulger Museum, was called the "Greatest Astronomer In America" in 1821 by those associates who knew him when he was Nantucket's Representative at the Capitol in Washington. In 1850, a few months after Folger's death, the following communication, written by Mrs. Mary S. Coffin, appeared in the columns of The Inquirer, the oldest of the Nantucket newspapers:

Since the publication in the Inquirer of the 21st ult., of some Memoirs of the late Hon. Walter Folger, the writer of that article finds some who think he has not expressed enough with regard to him as an Astronomer.

A lady whose veracity may be depended on, states that when on the Ohio river, in 1821, she was in company with Col. Monroe, brother of President Monroe; also of Col. Strouther, and several other distinguished Southern gentlemen, who, finding she was a native of Nantucket, spoke of Hon. Walter Folger in the highest terms, and said that he was the greatest Astronomer in America. The writer knows Mr. Folger was on intimate terms with President Monroe, also that he devoted much time to Astronomical study and observation of the starry heavens, and had a deep and extensive knowledge of Astronomy, but he did not wish to claim for the subject of the Memoirs more than he was confident could be sustained.

He is also assured that Walter Folger was the first on Nantucket to weld cast steel to iron, and that he did this before the method was known in Europe.

The Connecticut mathematician referred to in the Memoirs died within four days of receiving Mr. Folger's letter approving his work on Surveying, and giving a mathematical rule for the machine producing the motion called the heart motion in winding cotton, so that it is very probable the contents of that letter were never made public. —Mr. Folger never learned that the mathematical treatise was published.

The Walter Folger, Jr., Telescope, constructed in 1820, was the finest of its time in America. The stand was rebuilt in 1860 by one of his descendants, using the same design.

WALTER FOLGER, "THE GREATEST ASTRONOMER" 27

There was an error in the Memoirs about the number of his sons, as but seven, instead of eight, lived to grow up and marry.

In politics Walter Folger was a Republican and possessed the confidence and esteem of that party. He had a large circle of scientific friends abroad, embracing many of the most distinguished and talented men in this country, with some of whom he corresponded by letter. A number of them had preceded him in the passage to the tomb. —The writer believes no other man in this community ever devoted so much time and talent without expectation of reward, for the benefit of his fellow citizens, and although he was subject to the frailties of humanity, and like other men sometimes mistaken in his views, he believes he aimed to execute faithfully the duties incumbent on him, whilst on this stage of action from which he has so recently passed away.

Over 150 years ago, Walter Folger, Jr., designed a compass card which was placed in the bowl of many whaleboat compasses. One of the originals is still in the possession of the Nantucket Historical Association.