Descendants of Capt. Arthur Fenner
Benjamin S. Fenner
[b 1827 at N. Scituate, RI; d 14 Dec. 1898 at Worcester, MA] Benjamin S. Fenner m Olive Smith [b July 1825 in RI; d 26 Jan 1891 at Upton, MA, age 65y, 5m, 30d]. Olive died of “chronic disease of the heart and exhaustion.”
15 December 1898
Worcester Post
Uncle John Fenner Dead.
He Tore Down the Old South Church and Was Otherwise Famous.
Benjamin S. Fenner, one of the best known characters of Worcester, died at his boarding house, 5 Bigelow Court, yesterday. He had been ailing for some time and was confined to the house for several days, but he was not thought to be seriously sick until he was suddenly stricken with apoplexy, and expired in spite of attempts to revive him. “Uncle John” as he was familiarly called, was 71 years of age, and was a native of North Scituate, R.I. He came to Worcester some 50 years ago. He was a machinist years ago, but gave up his trade to drive a job wagon. He became particularly prominent by taking the contract for removing the Old South Church from the Common in 1887. His experiences with the old church and its historic rooster would fill a book. He used the material in building what was known as the ark on Southgate Street, a building devoted to tenements, excepting for space devoted to a dance hall. It was a losing venture financially.
Seven children survive him, J.H. and J.C. Fenner, Mrs. Carrie F. Chaffin and Mrs. Hattie Hartwell of this city. Mrs. Fannie Prescott of Winchester, Mrs. Cora B. Wood, Jr. of Upton and Mrs. Flora B. Reid of New Haven, CT. The funeral will take place from the residence of his son, J.H. Fenner, 110 Southgate Street, Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock. The burial will be in Hope Cemetery.
Sarah M. [b 1848 in CT; d before 1855].
James Henry [b 3 May 1850 at Worcester, MA; d 15 Dec. 1932] m Almira Smith [b 1853; d 1916], daughter of Isaac and Matilda Smith, on 31 Aug 1872.
Mary [b 25 Sep 1851 at Worcester, MA; d before 1853]
Hannah [b 1852 at Worcester, MA] m David T. Richards, son of Peter Richards, on 2 May 1871.
Mary [b 12 Sept. 1853 at Worcester, MA] m Edward Cross, son of William and Aurelia Cross, on 14 Oct 1871.
Julietta [b 27 Aug. 1855 at Worcester, MA; d before 1865].
Fanny Eugene [b 26 Apr. 1857 at Worcester, MA] m Charles E. Prescott.
Flora Isabella [b 27 Feb. 1859 at Worcester, MA] m 1st Charles H. Underwood [b 14 May 1842], son of James Underwood and Philena Wilson, on 16 April 1879, at Spencer, Worcester, MA as his second wife. She m 2nd William Reed, moved to New Haven, CT.
Joseph Clarence [b 31 Aug. 1860 at Worcester, MA; d 1952] m 1st Lillie Adams; m 2nd Jennie Isabelle Allen.
Cora B. [b 14 Dec. 1862 at Worcester, MA] m Elisha C. Wood, son of Palmer Wood and Experience Chapin, on 12 Apr 1893.
Infant [b 16 Mar. 1865].
Hattie M. [b 13 Oct. 1866 at Worcester, MA] m Eugene A. Hartwell on 15 May 1884, son of Joel and Betsey Hartwell.
Carrie J. [b 20 Mar. 1868 at Worcester, MA] m Albert E. Chaffin, son of Winslow and Sarah Chaffin, on 15 Aug 1886.
Eva A. [b 10 July 1869 at Worcester, MA; d before 1880?].