Our Chapter was organized on January 6, 1898 by Sara Winthrop Smith, and is named for Benjamin Franklin's mother. Abiah Folger Franklin was born on August 15, 1667, on Madaket Road, Nantucket Island, to farmer and surveyor Peter Folger. She became the second wife of Josiah Franklin of Boston, and had 8 children, the youngest of whom was Benjamin. Josiah's first wife (the mother of his first 10 children) died, so Abiah raised all 18 Franklin children. There is a monument with flowers growing in it to honor Abiah on the right side of Madaket Road at the site of the Folger Farm, now owned by the Nantucket Historical Association.

We presently have about fifty members and are happy to welcome new members.

Since Nantucket was founded primarily by Quakers who were pacifist and did not fight in the Revolutionary War, we have a list of names of islanders who supported the American Revolution and may qualify descendants to become members of the NSDAR. 

We meet monthly year-round on the 2nd Thursday at noon; see the newspaper for the meeting location and speaker. The meeting includes lunch, a brief business meeting, and usually a guest speaker. Visitors from other chapters or those who are interested in joining are welcome to attend.

Our chapter supports the objects of the NSDAR:

1. HISTORY -- To perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who achieved American independence.

2. EDUCATION -- To carry out the injunction of Washington in his farewell address to the American people "to promote, as an object of primary importance, institutions of the general diffusion of knowledge."

3. PATRIOTISM -- To cherish, maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom, to foster true patriotism and love of country, and to aid in securing for mankind all the blessings of liberty.


(From the Constitution of the NSDAR)


Inquiries about membership or meetings may be directed to the Regent.

For questions about the website, please contact the webmaster 





The DAR Insignia is the property of, and is copyrighted by, the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.


Web hyperlinks to non-DAR sites are not the responsibility of the NSDAR, the state organizations, or individual DAR chapters.









Abiah Folger Franklin Chapter

National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

Nantucket, Massachusetts
(Founded 1898)
Related Links

Contact Us!

Nantucket Revolutionary War Patriots



Massachusetts State DAR

National Society DAR


Nantucket Historical Association
Welcome to the Abiah Folger Franklin Chapter!
Abiah Folger Franklin Monument 
This page was last updated: August 1, 2022