Descendants of Captain Arthur Fenner

Nicholas Arnold Fenner

[b 29 Mar. 1807 in Scituate, Providence, RI; d 3 Nov. 1882] Nicholas Arnold Fenner m 1st Deborah Brown [b 13 Aug. 1812 in Providence, RI; d 10 Oct. 1859 in RI], daughter of Jonathan Brown and Amy Arnold, in Sept. 1832 in Providence, RI. He m 2nd Adeline M. Winchester [b 30 Dec. 1815 in Hill, Merrimack, NH; d 28 Nov. 1886 in RI], daughter of Isaac Winchester and Polly Balch. He m 3rd Eliza Nichols [b 10 Nov. 1822 in CT; d 22 July 1898] on 19 June 1869 in Wakefield, MA.

NICHOLAS ARNOLD FENNER, son of Thomas and Mary (Leach) Fenner, was born May 29, 1807, in the town of Scituate, R.I., where he was reared on a farm, his father and grandfather before him being farmers. While growing up his boyhood was passed in a manner not unlike that of farmers’ sons in general, alternating between work on the farm in season and attendance at the district school through the winters. By the time he had reached his seventeenth year, he had spent three years at the carpenter’s trade, and also had given some considerable time to the study of mechanical drawing. Following the period of his apprenticeship he worked for a year as a journeyman carpenter for the man with whom he had served his time, then engaged in business as a contractor and builder for himself, doing his own designing and drawing, and as well making plans for other builders.

For some years thereafter, he turned his attention to the machinist’s trade and business, engaging for a time, associated with his brother, John L. Fenner, in the business of building machinery for cotton mills, and with his brother he worked in the machine shop of Jilson & Capron at Willimantic; and he himself was also for a period employed on general repairs in a machine shop at Central Falls, this State. He was next in Providence working in the steam mill there, and for a period he was in charge of the pattern department of the High Street Foundry.

Prior to 1842, there were no butt-hinges manufactured in this country, and in that year the business of manufacturing this line of goods was begun by Mr. Fenner. He made patterns for an assortment of hinges, formed a company, associating with him for the purpose, Charles Miller and Silliman Perkins, and they soon put upon the market a line of loose-joint butt-hinges, probably the first made in this country. In about a year, Mr. Miller sold his interest in the concern to the other members, who continued the business for perhaps a decade, when Mr. Perkins sold his interest to Mr. A.C. Barstow and Apollus Richmond. During his connection with the business Mr. Fenner, had a general oversight and management of it; he was made superintendent of the works and later became the agent and president of the corporation.

From the time of the organization of this company and the starting of their business, Mr. Fenner had been closely identified with it, and was largely instrumental in making it the great success it became. He was largely interested in it financially, and long continued in office — until his death Nov. 3, 1882. The corporation, which is now known as the New England Butt Company, was incorporated in 1853, since which time it has greatly extended its scope. Besides making butt-hinges, the company now make braiding machines and do a large foundry business. They make a complete line of braiding machinery for all kinds of round and flat braids, shoe laces, sash and curtain cords. The president of the corporation is now Mr. Herbert N. Fenner, a son of the founder of the business and former president of the corporation.

The senior Mr. Fenner was not only the founder of the business of the New England Butt Company, but he originated the first machinery placed in the factory, and he was also the patentee of a wire-joint butt-hinge, the manufacture of which has been very profitable to the company.

Aside from his large interests and manifold business cares, Mr. Fenner gave some attention to public affairs and served his fellow citizens of Providence very satisfactorily in both branches of the city government, being a member of the common council in 1875–77 of the board of aldermen in 1878–80. In the last mentioned year, he occupied a seat from the city of Providence in the lower house of the Rhode Island Assembly. While not a partisan, his sympathies were with the Republican party.

In September 1832, Mr. Fenner was married to Deborah Brown, daughter of Jonathan and Amey (Arnold) Brown, of Smithfield, R.I., and the following children blessed this marriage, namely: Maria Brown, who married (first) Edward Rhodes, and (second) Frank R. Holden; John M. and Ellen S., twins, of whom the former married Almira Knight; Ellen S. (2), who married Charles H. Beedle; Mary Elizabeth; and Herbert Nicholas. The first four children were born in Scituate, and the others in Providence.
—Representative Men and Old Families of Rhode Island (1908)

Children of Nicholas & Deborah:

Nehemiah A. [b 1833; d 9 Aug, 1834].
Maria Brown [b 1834 in Providence, RI; d aft. 1869 in KS] m 1st Edward S. Rhodes Jr. [b 1836; d 4 Oct. 1863], son of Edward S. Rhodes, on 27 Nov. 1856 in Providence. She m 2nd Frank r. Holden after 4 Oct. 1863.
Deborah E. [b ca. 1837 in Providence, RI; d 9 Aug. 1838 in Providence, RI].
John Moncreaf [b 1839 in Providence, RI; d 19 Jan. 1867] m Almira A. Knight [b 1842 in Apponaug, Kent, RI], daughter of Arnold Knight and Eleanor Sheldon, on 24 Dec. 1862 in Providence, RI.
Ellen Sophia [b 1839 in Providence, RI; d 26 Oct. 1867] m Charles Henry Beedle [b 1837 in RI; d 16 Nov. 1909] on 18 May 1864 in Providence, RI.
Mary Elizabeth [b 13 Dec. 1840 in Providence, RI; d 26 Oct. 1858 in RI].
Herbert Nicholas [b 13 Mar. 1843 in Providence, RI; d 5 Jan. 1915 in RI] m Emma Frances Brayton [b 16 Apr. 1849 in RI; d 14 Sept. 1915], daughter of Lodowick Brayton Jr. and Ruth Sweet, on 10 Nov. 1868 in Providence, RI.

Sources:
1. Email from Richard Arthur Fenner, 12 Jan. 2025.
2. Nicholas’ memorial at FindaGrave, no. 19392229
3. Representative Men and Old Families of Rhode Island, vol. 1 (Chicago: J.H. Beers, 1908), pp. 526–27: https://archive.org/details/representativeme1908jhbe/page/526/

Estate of Nicholas A. Fenner

I Nicholas A. Fenner of Providence in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island, being of sound and disposing mind and memory do make publish this my last Will and Testament in manner following, that is to say:

First My will is that all my just debts and funeral charges, and expenses of settling my estate, be paid out of my estate by my executors herein after named as soon as conveniently may be after my decease:

Second: I give, devise and bequeath unto my son Herbert N. Fenner the estate situated on the eat side of Dexter street in the City of Providence together with all my household furniture to be and to remain to him, his heirs and assigns forever, upon the express condition however that should he the said Herbert N. Fener wish to occupy said estate he shall furnish to my wife Eliza N. Fenner suitable board, and that my said wife shall have the free use and occupation of said estate and the use of the household furniture free of charge therefor, for and during the term of her natural life, it being my desire and intention for her to have a home there so long as she may live or desire to remain there. And I further order and direct, that should my said son Herbert N. Fenner refuse to furnish such board, then and in that I give, devise and bequeath said estate to my wife the said Eliza N. Fenner for and during the term of her natural life, she paying the expenses of keeping said estate in suitable repair.

And I further give and bequeath unto my said son Herbert N. Fenner the sum of fifteen thousand dollars to be and to remain to him his heirs and assigns forever.

Third: I give devise and bequeath unto my daughter Maria B. Holden the farms now owned by me, one of said farms being situated in the town of Warwick. County of Kent and State of Rhode Island, and the other situated in the town of Ogden, County of Riley State of Kansas, with all the buildings and improvements thereon, to be and to remain to her, her heirs and assigns forever.

Fourth: I give and bequeath unto my wife Eliza N. Fenner her heirs and assigns forever the sum of two thousand dollars, to be paid to her by my executor as soon after my decease as conveniently may be.

Fifth: I declare the aforegoing legacy to my wife Eliza N. Fenner to be in lieu of her dower out of my estate.

Sixth: I give and bequeath to Mrs. Almira A. Kimball formerly the wife of my late beloved son John M. Fenner the sum of one thousand dollars to be and to remain to her, her heirs and assigns forever.

Seventh: I give and bequeath as a token of my love, to Emma F. Fenner wife of my son Herbert N. Fenner the sum of five hundred dollars, to be and to remain to her, her heirs and assigns forever.

Eighth: I give and bequeath unto my said son Herbert N. Fenner and my esteemed friend Lodowick Brayton their heirs and assigns forever the sum of fifteen thousand dollars, in trust nevertheless for the following uses and purposes, to wit:

In Trust, to invest the same and keep the same investes, and from time to time in their discretion to change, alter and vary the investments and to receive and collect the interest, income, and dividends accruing thereon, and as after at least as once in each and every three months to pay the same to my wife Eliza N. Fenner for and during the term of her natural life. And from after and upon the decease of my said wife the said Eliza N. Fenner to pay over and convey said principal sum of fifteen thousand dollars to my two children Herbert N. Fenner and Maria B. Holden in equal [halves?] to be and to remain to them their heirs and assigns forever.

Ninth: All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate of every name and nature, real personal or mixed, and wherever situated, including as well any real estate, I may acquire subsequent to the date of the will, and of which I may die seized and possessed. I order and direct shall be divided into two equal parts, one of which, equal parts I give devise and bequeath unto my said son Herbert N. Fenner to be and to remain to him, his heirs and assigns forever.

Tenth: The remaining equal half part of said rest, residue and remainder, I give devise and bequeath unto the said Herbert N. Fenner and Lodowick Brayton to them their heirs and assigns forever in trust nevertheless for the following use and purpose to wit:

In Trust, to retain therefrom and manage as herein after provided the sum of twenty thousand dollars if there shall be so much thereof, and the balance thereof if any there be to pay over and transfer to my said daughter Maria B. Holden for her own use free of all trusts to be and to remain to her, her heirs and assigns forever. Said trustees shall receive and take charge of said sum of twenty thousand dollars, if said one half part of said rest, residue and remainder shall equal that sum, and if not, then so much thereof is there shall be and shall invest the same and keep the same invested, receive and collect all the rents, profits, income interest and dividends accruing thereon, and after paying therefore all taxes and expenses of insurance, repairs and the expenses of executing said trust, as often at least as once in every six months pay over and convey all the balance of said rents, profits, income interest and dividends to my said daughter Maria B. Holden for her own use and benefit for and during the term of her natural life. And from after and upon the decease of said Maria B. Holden leaving issue then living, to pay and convey said principal sum then remaining in their hands, together with any accrued rents, profits income or dividends to such issue and their survivors or survivors in equal share if more than one, to be and to remain to such issue to them their heirs and assigns forever, free and discharged of all trusts. And from after and upon the decease of the said Maria B. Holden leaving no issue living, I give devise and bequeath the said one half part of said rest residue and remainder herein before given to said Herbert N. Fenner and Lodowick Brayton in trust for my said daughter Maria B. Holden, to my said son Herbert N. Fenner to be and to remain to him, his heirs and assigns forever free and discharged of all trusts.

Eleventh: I hereby authorize and empower my said trustees at any time and from time to time at their discretion to sell transfer and convey any or all of said trust estate real or personal, or any investments made by them, and to reinvest the proceeds of such sale or sales in some other safe and productive securities, and all such investments shall be made in their names as trustee of my estate. And I further order and direct that should either of my said trustees or their successor or successors decline to accept said trust or should resign, die or become incapable to serve, or from any cause whatever there should be a vacancy in the office of trustee under this will, it shall be the duty of the Municipal Court of the City of Providence or other court exercising Probate Jurisdiction, upon the petition of any person interested in said trust, to appoint a new trustee in place of the one so declining, resigning, dying or becoming incapable to act, which new trustee shall have all the powers and be subject to all the restrictions and liabilities of the trustees appointed by me.

And I further order and direct that no new trustee shall be appointed under this clause except with the full consent of the remaining or surviving trustee, and I further order and direct that neither of my said trustees nor their successor or successors shall be holden for any losses that may occur in the execution of this trust, except the same be from gross negligence or fraud of such trustees, and that no trustee shall be liable for the negligence or fraud of the other.

Lastly, I hereby nominate constitute and appoint the said Herbert N. Fenner and the said Lodowick Brayton sole executors of this my last will and testament, and request that no bond be required of them, other than a bond to pay debts and legacies, without sureties unless they should otherwise elect.

In Witness hereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirtieth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-two.

Nicholas A. Fenner L.S.

Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared by the said Nicholas A. Fener as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who have at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other, hereunto set our names as witnesses.

Henry V.A. Joslin
Everett J. Dodge

______

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

Municipal Court of the City of Providence
November 28th 1882

The annexed Instrument of writing, which, as the Last Will and Testament of Nicholas A. Fenner late of said Providence, deceased, was on the 7th day of Nov. [intestate] presented for Probate and then received and referred to this day for consideration with an order of notice thereon, is now read; notice having been duly given thereon pursuant to said order. And both of the subscribing witnesses thereto to wit: Henry V.A. Joslin and Everett J. Dodge are present sworn and examined and it appearing that said instrument is the Last Will and Testament of said deceased, and was legally executed and that the said Testator was, at the time of making the same of sane mind and over twenty-one years of age; and no person appearing to object thereto, said Instrument is thereupon adjudged to be proved and the same is approved accepted, and allowed as the Last Will and Testament of said Nicholas A. Fenner, deceased, and it is ordered that as such, the same be recorded.

Geo. [B—] Clerk

Will and Probate
Recorded Dec. 1st 1882