Descendants of Capt. Arthur Fenner

Mary Fenner

 

[b ca. 1716; d 16 Aug. 1744] Mary Fenner m Dr. Ephraim Bowen, son of Thomas Bowen, on 7 Feb. 1737 at Providence. After Mary died in childbirth, Ephraim m 2nd Lydia Mawney [b ca. 1721; d 31 Dec. 1801 in her 80th yr.], daughter of Peter Mawney, in 1746. Most of the family is buried at Swan Point Cemetery.

Children of Ephraim Bowen and Mary Fenner:

  1. Jabez [b 2 Jun. 1739; d 8 May 1815] m Sarah Brown on 19 Dec. 1762, served as Deputy Governor of Rhode Island 1778–80 and 1781–86. At some point before 1805, he sold his home to Gov. Arthur Fenner, which then became a hotel; this was passed down to Gov. James Fenner. It was later known as the Old Manufacturers’ Hotel. Jabez served as a judge from 1776 to 1781, and he was Chancellor of Brown University from 1785 until his death.

  2. Commodore Oliver [b 17 Nov. 1742; d 11 July 1800 in his 59th yr. at Augusta, GA] m unknown.

  3. Mary [b ca. 16 Aug. 1744; d 23 Aug. 1744].

Children of Ephraim Bowen and Lydia Mawney:

  1. William [b 1747; d 1832].

  2. Mary [b 1748; d 1834].

  3. Sarah “Sally” [b 1750; d 1782] m — Halsey.

  4. Lydia [b 1752] m John Innes Clark.

  5. Ephraim [1753–1841]. Participated in the Gaspee Incident and wrote an important eyewitness account.

  6. Benjamin [1755–1759].

  7. Pardon [1757–1826].

  8. Benjamin [1759].

  9. Nancy [1762].

  10. Betsey [1765].

  11. Frances [1768].

Lineage:
Arthur | Thomas | Thomas | Mary

Sources:
1. Ephraim Bowen’s memorial at FindaGrave.com, no. 21375755
2. Col. Ephraim Jr. in the Gaspee Virtual Archives: http://gaspee.org/EphraimBowen.htm
3. Martha Benns, Notes on the Fenner Family of R.I. (1941), p. 7.
4. Eva Fenner’s manuscript shows Mary’s birthdate as 12 Jan. 1735.
5. Email from Richard Arthur Fenner to Chris Fenner, 21 May 2004. Richard gives her birth as 1716 (as opposed to 1714).