Major Daniel Fenner

Notes:

Daniel & Jane had at least three other children who died young: another Daniel, another Sarah, and a George Abbott.

Daniel — Sarah Haines. [Group Sheet]

Daniel married Jane Roberts 24 Sep 1732. Jane was born 1712; died 17 Feb 1762. [Group Sheet]

1. Samuel Fenner was born 25 Oct 1736; died 1816.
2. Sarah Fenner was born 22 Sep 1742.
3. Thomas Fenner was born Abt 1744; died 14 Feb 1827.
4. Daniel Fenner, Jr. was born Jan 1744/45.

Thomas married Mary Abbott Abt 1705. Mary was born 13 Dec 1679. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Mary was the sister of Dep. Gov. Daniel Abbott, who married Mary Fenner, sister of Thomas.

Notes:

The Fenner Family, p. 11, says they were married in 1710. However, it also has a couple of their sons being born several years before 1710, p. 16. So, either their date of marriage is not known, or else the Fenner genealogy has some of the sons in the wrong family group. I have estimated the year of marriage.

Notes:

Captain Arthur Fenner, father of Major Thomas Fenner, built Thomas a house around 1677 on the Cranston side of Plainfield Pike, on the hill near Thornton.

Roger Williams listed Thomas as one of those who stayed at home and protected his house and the town during the Indian hostilities in 1675. It is not known exactly where he lived at this time.

For a time, Thomas Fenner conducted a tavern and store in his home.

Thomas married Dinah Borden 26 Jul 1682, Providence, RI. Dinah was born Oct 1664; died 18 Dec 1761; was buried , Major Thomas Fenner Lot, Plainfield St., Thornton, Cranston, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Dinah, widow of Major Thomas Fenner, died in the 98th year of her life. According to her gravestone inscription, "she died a sincere Christian."

Notes:

Thomas & Dinah were married by Joseph Jenckes, Ass't.

Notes:

Arthur & Mehitable Fenner were among the earliest residents of Johnston, RI. They lived near Neutaconkanut Hill, on the Cranston side of Plainfield Road, and owned land in Providence, Cranston, and Johnston.

Around 1657, Capt. Arthur Fenner built a stone house which came to be known as "Fenner Castle." Sketches of it still exist. It is said that George Washington was entertained there.

It is believed that Arthur also built a house for his son Thomas, around 1677, on the Cranston side of Plainfield Pike.

According to "The Fenner Family," Arthur arrived in Providence, RI, on 27 Feb 1649. He received his lands from Indian Chief Massasoit, as did Roger Williams. He was Ass't. Governor of RI for 19 years, was treasurer for one year, and held other positions of public service.

The following is excerpted from "The Fenner Family" at fennerfamily.com:
"The derivation of the name Fenner is plainly from the Anglo-Saxon word 'fen' or 'fenn,' a marsh or moorland. Bardsley's dictionary speaks of Fen and Vanner as variations of the same name . . . Some contest that the Fenners from this tree came from the Celtic tribe of Fens, which was instrumental in helping William the Conqueror become King of England in 1066. The name Fenner is mentioned a few times in the history of William's conquest, and Fenners are known to have received land from William in return for their bravery.

"Another name has been instrumental in the development of this family: God. Most of the early Fenners in this genealogy were Christians, and a good portion still are. Anyone reading this genealogy would become slowly aware that the success of this family is deeply related to its ties to Christianity. The success is worth noting: there are two governors of Rhode Island, many high-ranking military officers, prize-winning authors, Justices of the Peace, educators, doctors, ministers, and many others who demonstrated a passion for being an honorable servant to society. This alone might not qualify the name for greatness, but the fact that there are [no] less than ten thousand Fenners in the United States should conjure up some idea of the magnitude of this line. Of all the Fenners that have been at war, only two have been killed. Richard L. Fenner, of Quincy, FL, sums things up nicely: 'It can be said that surely the Lord has kept his hand upon us, and for this we thank him.' "

Arthur married Mehitable Waterman Abt 1650. Mehitable (daughter of Richard WATERMAN and Bethia WAITE) was born 1626, Salem, MA; died 3 Dec 1683, Providence, RI. [Group Sheet]