Captain Arthur Fenner, I

Abt 1619 - 1703  (~ 84 years)

• Name	Arthur Fenner
  Title	Captain
  Suffix	I
  Born	Abt 1619  [1]
  Gender	Male
  Died	20 Oct 1703	Providence, RI   [2]
  Person ID	I02102	Sorensen-Remington Family Tree
  Last Modified	7 Aug 2018

  
  

  Father	Arthur Fenner
  Mother	Sarah Brown
  Family ID	F03029	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 1	Mehitable Waterman,   b. 1626, Salem, MA ,   d. 3 Dec 1683, Providence, RI  (Age 57 years)
  Married	Abt 1650
  Children	1. Thomas Fenner, I,   b. 27 Oct 1652, RI ,   d. 27 Feb 1717/18, Providence, RI  (Age 65 years)   2. Arthur Fenner, II,   b. Abt 1654,   d. 24 Apr 1725  (Age ~ 71 years)   3. Sarah Fenner,   b. Abt 1656,   d. Abt 5 Nov 1676  (Age ~ 20 years)   4. Samuel Fenner,   b. Abt 1658   5. Freelove Fenner,   b. Abt 1660   6. Bethiah Fenner,   b. Abt 1662   7. Phebe Fenner,   b. Abt 1665
  Last Modified	7 Aug 2018
  Family ID	F00763	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 2	Howlong Harris
  Married	16 Dec 1686  [1]
  Last Modified	7 Aug 2018
  Family ID	F05600	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• 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.' "

  
  

• Sources

  [S013059] The Fenner Family, Third Edition, Mrs. Eva Fenner and others, (July 2002). [S012972] Providence city records, Deaths, Vol. 5, p. 536.