Arthur Fenner
Encyclopedia
Arthur Fenner served as the fourth Governor of Rhode Island
from 1790 until his death in 1805 and was a prominent Country Party
(Anti-federalist) leader. Around 1764, Fenner joined several others as a petitioner for the chartering of the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
(the original name for Brown University
).http://www.brown.edu/Administration/Corporation/downloads/charter-of-brown-university.pdf
Governor Arthur married Amey Comstock (born ca. 1749; died 5 September 1828, in her 80th yr.), daughter of Gideon Comstock of Smithfield, Rhode Island
. He served as governor of Rhode Island
from 1790 to 1805 and died in office. Arthur was governor of Rhode Island when it became the last of the thirteen states to ratify the Constitution on 29 May 1790. The following quote is from the Dictionary of American Biography:
His son, James Fenner
, gave up his position as a US senator to be elected governor two years after Arthur’s death. James served from 1807 to 1811, from 1824 to 1831, and from 1843 to 1845. Arthur and Mary were members of the First Baptist Church in America
, at Providence. They had four children:
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
from 1790 until his death in 1805 and was a prominent Country Party
Country Party (Rhode Island)
The Country Party, Rhode Island's anti-federalist political party, controlled the Rhode Island General Assembly from 1786 and 1790 and opposed the Federalist Party, which supported the U.S. Constitution. The Federalists were largely from the "town," Providence, Rhode Island, while the Country...
(Anti-federalist) leader. Around 1764, Fenner joined several others as a petitioner for the chartering of the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
(the original name for Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
).http://www.brown.edu/Administration/Corporation/downloads/charter-of-brown-university.pdf
Governor Arthur married Amey Comstock (born ca. 1749; died 5 September 1828, in her 80th yr.), daughter of Gideon Comstock of Smithfield, Rhode Island
Smithfield, Rhode Island
Smithfield is a town in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. It includes the historic villages of Esmond, Georgiaville, Mountaindale, Hanton City, Stillwater and Greenville...
. He served as governor of Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
from 1790 to 1805 and died in office. Arthur was governor of Rhode Island when it became the last of the thirteen states to ratify the Constitution on 29 May 1790. The following quote is from the Dictionary of American Biography:
- In March of 1790, the contest between Federalists and Anti-Federalists in Rhode Island reached its height, (and) the long-delayed convention to decide upon the adoption of the Constitution (had) been called, (with) Governor Collins having become unpopular in consequence. (With the elections approaching,) Deputy-Governor Owen was offered the governor-ship by the Anti-Federalists, but declined to serve. ‘A movement,’ says Arnold, ‘was made in Providence to form a coalition party. The Newport committee united with them in proposing (to put on the ballot) Arthur Fenner, an Anti-Federalist. The Anti-Federalists triumphed, and on May 5, 1790, the general assembly declared Fenner governor and Samuel J. PotterSamuel J. PotterSamuel John Potter was a United States Senator from Rhode Island and was a prominent Country Party anti-Federalist leader....
deputy-governor.
- Opposition to entering the Union was so strong, … (that a vote to adopt the Constitution) was delayed until the last week in May, and when on the 29th, a decision was reached, the vote stood thirty-four to thirty-two in favor of adopting the Constitution.
- Governor Fenner was very popular, and continued in office, serving at the time of his death.
His son, James Fenner
James Fenner
James Fenner was an American politician who served as an United States Senator as well as the seventh, 11th and 17th Governor of Rhode Island . He was the son of Arthur Fenner, the fourth governor of Rhode Island.Fenner was born in Providence, Rhode Island...
, gave up his position as a US senator to be elected governor two years after Arthur’s death. James served from 1807 to 1811, from 1824 to 1831, and from 1843 to 1845. Arthur and Mary were members of the First Baptist Church in America
First Baptist Church in America
The First Baptist Church in America is the First Baptist Church of Providence, Rhode Island, also known as First Baptist Meetinghouse. The oldest Baptist church congregation in the United States, it was founded by Roger Williams in Providence, Rhode Island in 1638...
, at Providence. They had four children:
- Arthur Fenner, Jr. (born 9 November 1766; died 27 September 1837); fifeFifeFife is a council area and former county of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire...
r in various companies; lived at Fairfield, New YorkFairfield, New YorkFairfield is a town in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 1,607 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Fairfield, Connecticut.The Town of Fairfield is north of the Village of Herkimer and east of Utica...
in 1827; married Lydia Sabin (born 1766), daughter of Thomas Sabin, on 8 December 1787. They had Harriet Elizabeth (born 7 February 1805; died 2 May 1829). - James FennerJames FennerJames Fenner was an American politician who served as an United States Senator as well as the seventh, 11th and 17th Governor of Rhode Island . He was the son of Arthur Fenner, the fourth governor of Rhode Island.Fenner was born in Providence, Rhode Island...
(born 22 January 1771; died 17 April 1846); Governor of Rhode Island, married Sarah Jenckes. - Joseph (born ca. 1773; died 18 July 1797 in Providence, age 24).
- Sally (born 1778; died 21 August 1794 at Newport, age 16).