John Fenner

John — Phebe Brown. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

FENNER Arthur, Esq., of this town, died in 89th year; his brother Thomas was one of the state magistrates, 1707 to 1719; his grandfather Arthur FENNER was near 50 years one of the state magistrates; Jan. 28, 1788.

FENNER Arthur, Esq., in his 89th year. His father, Thomas, Esq., was one of the State Magistrates from 1707-1719, and his grandfather, Arthur, Esq., was for nearly 50 years a Magistrate under the Charters. Mr. Fenner was a Justice of the Peace many years and a merchant, a long time member of the Baptist church. (Chronicle of Feb. 7, 1788)

Hon. Arthur & Mary Fenner lived in Providence and attended the First Baptist Church in America. They had at least 12 children, four of whom died young: Freelove (b 25 Aug 1723), Sarah (10 Sep 1725), John (17 Apr 1727), & Arthur (12 Oct 1732). Four of their children born later were given these same names, as was customary back then.

Arthur married Mary Olney 2 Jun 1723, Providence, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Arthur & Mary were married by Joseph Jenckes, Deputy Governor.

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]