Descendants of Captain Arthur Fenner

Governor James Fenner

 

Gov. James Fenner. Official portrait by James Sullivan Lincoln.

[b 22 Jan. 1771 at Providence; d 17 Apr. 1846] James Fenner m Sarah Whipple Jenckes [b 12 June 1773 at Providence; d 24 May 1844], daughter of Freelove Whipple Fenner and Captain Sylvannus Jenckes, on 17 Nov. 1792. Sarah was a first cousin once removed of James. James graduated from Brown University at the top of his class in 1789. He represented Providence in the R.I. General Assembly before serving as a United States Senator from 1805 to 1807. He gave up his senatorship in 1807 to become governor two years after his father, Gov. Arthur Fenner, died in office. James served as governor of Rhode Island from 1807 to 1811, 1824 to 1831, and 1843 to 1845. Whereas his father was the first governor to serve under the U.S. Constitution, James was the first governor to serve under the Rhode Island state constitution, which was adopted in 1842. James was one of thirteen charter members of the Rhode Island Historical Society, and their first president, serving from 1822 to 1833. He died at his mansion “What Cheer” in 1846. A writer of the time offered this perspective of Fenner’s burial rites:

Such demonstrations of respect for one whose life has been spent in the service of his state, and who has ever been conspicuous for his zeal and energy in advancing the true interests of his fellow-citizens, cannot fail to exert a beneficial influence upon our community. While we would not overlook his faults and infirmities, we cannot forget that they were the almost necessary attendants of the iron will, the inflexible resolution, the vigorous intellect, and the unconquerable energy which caused all eyes to turn to him when the state was threatened and in danger, as one in whose hands power could be reposed without fear that it would be perverted to selfish purposes.[1]

The land of Slate Rock Park (also known as Roger Williams Square) was donated by James’s heirs. It marks the place where Roger Williams, founder of Providence, first set foot on land when he arrived in 1636.

  1. Almira Theodosia [b 17 Jan. 1793; d 10 Oct. 1872] m Samuel Dexter.

  2. Sarah, m Edward J. Mallet.

  3. Freelove [b ca. 1799; d 2 Aug. 1817 in her 19th yr.].

  4. Arthur [b ca. 1810; d 8 Mar. 1832 age 22].

“Freemen of Rhode Island!!! If you vote for the Hon. James Fenner, Nathan Brown and John R. Waterman, you record your votes for William H. Crawford, a duelist, for President!!! If you vote for the Hon. Martin Wheeler, Jesse Tourtellot and Dutee Arnold, and those associated with them, you record your votes for the Hon. John Quincy Adams, the Civilian, the Statesman, the man of your choice, for President. Choose ye between.”

The above is a copy of the address of the Adams party of Rhode Island. The election has passed and James Fenner was chosen governor. Have we not then the word of that party, for asserting that Rhode Island prefers William H. Crawford? Martin Wheeler is not elected, though he headed what his friends called the “People’s Ticket.” This title has before proved a misnomer, and will we predict fare no better in our own state.
—The Raleigh Register (Raleigh, NC), 14 May 1824

The Rhode Island state election has resulted in favor of the anti-administration party. L.H. Arnold is elected Governor over Gov. Fenner, the Jackson candidate, by a majority of 1000. Both houses of the legislature, it is said, will also be opposed to the present administration, by large majorities.
—Buffalo Bulletin (Buffallo, NY), 30 Apr. 1831

Lineage:
James: Arthur | Thomas | Arthur | Arthur | James
Sarah: Arthur | Thomas | Arthur | James | Freelove | Sarah

Sources:
1. Unknown author, cited by Welcome Arnold Greene, The Providence Plantations for Two Hundred and Fifty Years (Providence: J.A. & R.A. Reid, 1886), p. 369: Archive.org
2. Martha Benns, Notes on the Fenner Family of R.I. (1941), pp. 24, 43.
3. Rick Buckingham, Genealogy, p. 5.
4. Eva Fenner, Notes, p. 25; letter to Eva Fenner, 17 Apr. 1956, Rhode Island Historical Society, Clarkson A. Collins III.
5. Welcome Arnold Greene, The Providence Plantations for Two Hundred and Fifty Years (Providence: J.A. & R.A. Reid, 1886), p. 213: Archive.org