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{{Short description|American politician}}
⚫
{{Infobox Governor
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2017}}
⚫
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Arthur Fenner
|name = Arthur Fenner
|image = ArthurFenner.jpg
|image = ArthurFenner.jpg
|preceded = [[John Collins (Continental Congress)|John Collins]]
|preceded = [[John Collins (Continental Congress)|John Collins]]
|succeeded = [[Henry Smith (Rhode Island)|Henry Smith]]
|succeeded = [[Henry Smith (Rhode Island governor)|Henry Smith]]
|order = 4th
|order = 4th
|office = Governor of Rhode Island
|office = Governor of Rhode Island
|term_start = May 5, 1790
|term_start = May 5, 1790
|term_end = October 15, 1805
|term_end = October 15, 1805
|lieutenant_governor = Samuel J. Potter<ref name=BioCyc />
|lieutenant_governor = [[Samuel J. Potter]]<br>[[George Brown (Rhode Island politician)|George Brown]]<br>Samuel J. Potter<br>[[Paul Mumford]]
|birth_date = {{birth date|1745|12|10}}
|birth_date = {{birth date|1745|12|10}}
|birth_place = [[Providence, Rhode Island]]<ref name=BioCyc>{{cite book|title=Biographical Cyclopedia of Representative Men of Rhode Island|date=1881|publisher=National Biographical Publishing Co|location=Providence|pages=136-137|accessdate=30 March 2015}}</ref>
|birth_place = [[Providence, Rhode Island|Providence]], [[Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations|Colony of Rhode Island]], [[British America]]<ref name=BioCyc>{{cite book|title=Biographical Cyclopedia of Representative Men of Rhode Island|url=https://archive.org/details/biographicalcycl00nati|date=1881|publisher=National Biographical Publishing Co|location=Providence|pages=[https://archive.org/details/biographicalcycl00nati/page/136 136]–137}}</ref>
|death_date = {{death date and age|1805|10|15|1745|12|10}}
|death_date = {{death date and age|1805|10|15|1745|12|10}}
|death_place = [[Providence, Rhode Island]]<ref name=BioCyc />
|death_place = [[Providence, Rhode Island|Providence]], [[Rhode Island]], [[United States|U.S.]]<ref name=BioCyc />
|spouse = Amey Comstock
|spouse = Amey Comstock
|alma_mater =
|alma_mater =
|profession =
|profession =
|religion = [[Baptists|Baptist]]
|party = [[Country Party (Rhode Island)|Country Party]]
|party = [[Country Party (Rhode Island)|Country Party]]
|resting_place = [[North Burial Ground]]
|resting_place = [[North Burial Ground]]
}}
}}


'''Arthur Fenner''' (December 10, 1745 – October 15, 1805) served as the [[List of Governors of Rhode Island|fourth Governor]] of [[Rhode Island]] from 1790 until his death in 1805. He has the seventh longest gubernatorial tenure in post-Constitutional U.S. history at 5,642 days.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cspg/smartpolitics/2013/04/the_top_50_longest_serving_gov.php |title=The Top 50 Longest-Serving Governors of All Time |work=Smart Politics |first=Eric |last=Ostermeier |date=April 10, 2013}}</ref> Fenner was a prominent [[Country Party (Rhode Island)|Country Party]] ([[Anti-federalist]]) leader. Around 1764, Fenner joined several others as a petitioner for the chartering of the [[Brown University|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]
'''Arthur Fenner''' (December 10, 1745{{spnd}}October 15, 1805) was an American politician who served as the [[List of Governors of Rhode Island|fourth Governor]] of [[Rhode Island]] from 1790 until his death in 1805. He has the seventh longest gubernatorial tenure in post-Constitutional U.S. history at {{formatnum:{{age in days|1790|5|5|1805|10|15}}}} days.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://editions.lib.umn.edu/smartpolitics/2013/04/10/the-top-50-longest-serving-gov/ |title= The Top 50 Longest-Serving Governors of All Time |work=Smart Politics |first=Eric |last=Ostermeier |date= April 10, 2013}}</ref> Fenner was a prominent [[Country Party (Rhode Island)|Country Party]] ([[Anti-federalist]]) leader. Around 1764, Fenner joined several others as a petitioner for the chartering of the [[Brown University|College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations]] (the original name for [[Brown University]]).<ref>[http://www.brown.edu/Administration/Corporation/downloads/charter-of-brown-university.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716044353/http://www.brown.edu/Administration/Corporation/downloads/charter-of-brown-university.pdf |date=July 16, 2011 }}</ref>


==Early Life==
==Early life==
Fenner was born in 1745 to a prominent family in Providence. His ancestor [[Captain Arthur Fenner]] (1622 - 1703) had been a member of the Town Council, an associate of [[Roger Williams]], and fought in [[King Philip's War]].<ref name=BioCyc /> His parents were Arthur Fenner, Jr. (1699-1788) and Mary Olney. The Fenner family owned the wharf where the [[Gaspee Affair]] occurred in 1772.<ref name=FennerTree>{{cite web|title=Fenner Family Tree|url=http://fennerfamilytree.wikispaces.com/Gov.+Arthur+Fenner|website=Wikispaces|accessdate=30 March 2015}}</ref>
Fenner was born in 1745 to a prominent family in [[Providence, Rhode Island]], in the [[Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations]], the eleventh of twelve children.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Governor Arthur Fenner|website=The Fenner Family Tree|url=https://www.fennertree.com/arthur-fenner-1745-1805/|access-date=October 6, 2018}}</ref> His parents were Arthur Fenner, Jr. (October 17, 1699 – January 21, 1788)<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Arthur Fenner |website=The Fenner Family Tree| url=https://www.fennertree.com/arthur-fenner-1699-1788|access-date=October 6, 2018}}</ref> and Mary Olney (September 30, 1704 – March 18, 1756).<ref name=":1" /> The Fenner family owned a wharf known as Fenner's Wharf, where the [[Gaspee Affair]] occurred in 1772.<ref name=FennerTree>{{cite web|title=Fenner Family Tree|url=http://www.fennertree.com/arthur-fenner-1745-1805|access-date=March 30, 2015}}</ref> The wharf was located near what is now 155 South Main Street in Providence.<ref name=":0" />

His ancestor [[Captain Arthur Fenner]] (1622–1703) had been a member of the Town Council, an associate of [[Roger Williams]], and fought in [[King Philip's War]].<ref name="BioCyc" />

During the [[American Revolution]] he served as a lieutenant in [[2nd Rhode Island Regiment|Hitchcock's Regiment]] in 1775 during the [[Siege of Boston]]. He then served as a captain in [[Babcock's/Lippitt's Regiment]] of Rhode Island state troops in 1776. For many years before becoming governor, Fenner served as the clerk of the Court of Common Pleas.<ref name=":0" />


==Governorship==
==Governorship==
He served as governor of [[Rhode Island]] from 1790 to 1805 and died in office. Fenner 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'':
He served as governor of [[Rhode Island]] from 1790 to 1805 and died in office. Fenner was governor of Rhode Island when it became the last of the thirteen states to ratify the Constitution on May 29, 1790. The following quote is from the ''Dictionary of American Biography'':


:In March 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 Daniel Owen|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. Potter]] deputy-governor.
:In March 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) [[John Collins (Continental Congress)|Governor Collins]] having become unpopular in consequence. (With the elections approaching,) [[Deputy-Governor Daniel Owen|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. Potter]] 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.
: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.
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Significant events during Fenner's time in office:
Significant events during Fenner's time in office:
* [[George Washington]] visited Rhode Island (August 1790)<ref name=BioCyc />
* [[George Washington]] visited Rhode Island (August 1790)<ref name=BioCyc />
* The [[FleetBoston_Financial|Providence Bank]] was established (1791)<ref name=BioCyc />
* The [[FleetBoston Financial|Providence Bank]] was established (1791)<ref name=BioCyc />
* The Weybosset Bridge was rebuilt (1792)<ref name=BioCyc />
* The Weybosset Bridge was rebuilt (1792)<ref name=BioCyc />
* The [[Blackstone Canal]] was begun (February 1796)<ref name=BioCyc />
* The [[Blackstone Canal]] was begun (February 1796)<ref name=BioCyc />
* President [[John Adams]] visited Providence (1797)<ref name=BioCyc />
* President [[John Adams]] visited Providence (1797)<ref name=BioCyc />
* The Great Fire on the west side of South Main Street, opposite the foot of Planet Street, did $300,000 worth of damage (Jan 21, 1801)<ref name=BioCyc />
* The Great Fire on the west side of South Main Street, opposite the foot of Planet Street, did $300,000 worth of damage (January 21, 1801)<ref name=BioCyc />


==Personal Life==
==Personal life==
[[File:Coat of Arms of Arthur Fenner.svg|150px|thumb|Coat of arms of Arthur Fenner]]
Governor Fenner married [[Amey Comstock]] (born [[ca.]] 1749; died 5 September 1828, in her 80th yr.), daughter of [[Gideon Comstock]] of [[Smithfield, Rhode Island]].
Fenner married [[Amey Comstock]] ({{circa|1749}} – September 5, 1828, in her 80th yr.), daughter of [[Gideon Comstock]] of [[Smithfield, Rhode Island]].


His son, [[James Fenner]], gave up his position as a US senator to be elected governor two years after his father’s death. James served from 1807 to 1811, from 1824 to 1831, and from 1843 to 1845. Arthur and Amey Fenner were members of the [[First Baptist Church in America]], at Providence. They had four children:
His son, [[James Fenner]], gave up his position as a US senator to be elected governor two years after his father's death. James served from 1807 to 1811, from 1824 to 1831, and from 1843 to 1845. Arthur and Amey Fenner were members of the [[First Baptist Church in America]], at Providence. They had five children:


#[[Arthur Fenner, Jr.]] (born 9 November 1766 – died 27 September 1837); [[fife]]r in various companies; lived at [[Fairfield, New York]] 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).
#[[Arthur Fenner Jr.]] (November 9, 1766 – September 27, 1837); [[fife (instrument)|fife]]r in various companies; lived at [[Fairfield, New York]], in 1827; married Lydia Sabin (born 1766), daughter of [[Thomas Sabin]], on December 8, 1787; they had Harriet Elizabeth (February 7, 1805 – May 2, 1829)
#Amy (February 16, 1769 – May 7, 1772, age 3)
#[[James Fenner]] (born 22 January 1771 – died 17 April 1846); Governor of Rhode Island, married [[Sarah Jenckes]].
#[[James Fenner]] (January 22, 1771 – April 17, 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).
#Joseph ({{circa|1773}} – July 18, 1797, in Providence, age 24)
#Sally (1778 – August 21, 1794, at Newport, age 16)


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Portal|United States|New England|Rhode Island|Baptist|Biography}}
{{Portal|United States|New England|Rhode Island|Biography}}
* [http://fennerfamilytree.wikispaces.com/Gov.+Arthur+Fenner Gov. Arthur in the Fenner Family Tree]
* [http://www.fennertree.com/arthur-fenner-1745-1805 Gov. Arthur in the Fenner Family Tree]
* [http://www.brown.edu/Administration/Corporation/downloads/charter-of-brown-university.pdf Brown University Charter]
* [http://www.brown.edu/Administration/Corporation/downloads/charter-of-brown-university.pdf Brown University Charter] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716044353/http://www.brown.edu/Administration/Corporation/downloads/charter-of-brown-university.pdf |date=July 16, 2011 }}
* [http://www.governor.ri.gov/ Official Site of the Governor of Rhode Island]
* [http://www.governor.ri.gov/ Official Site of the Governor of Rhode Island]
* [https://www.archive.org/stream/genealogyoffenne00root/genealogyoffenne00root_djvu.txt Genealogy of the Fenner Family]
* [https://www.archive.org/stream/genealogyoffenne00root/genealogyoffenne00root_djvu.txt Genealogy of the Fenner Family]
* {{Findagrave|22487511}}
* {{Find a Grave|22487511}}
*[https://catalog.sos.ri.gov/repositories/2/digital_objects/60 George Washington correspondence] from the Rhode Island State Archives


{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-new|first}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Country Party (Rhode Island)|Country]] nominee for [[List of Governors of Rhode Island|Governor of Rhode Island]]|years=1790, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794, 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1799, 1800, [[1801 Rhode Island gubernatorial election|1801]], [[1802 Rhode Island gubernatorial election|1802]], 1803, 1804, 1805}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Henry Smith (Rhode Island governor)|Henry Smith]]}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-off}}
{{succession box|
{{succession box|
title=[[Governor of Rhode Island]]
title=[[Governor of Rhode Island]]
| before= [[John Collins (Continental Congress)|John Collins]]
| before= [[John Collins (Continental Congress)|John Collins]]
| after=[[Henry Smith (Rhode Island)|Henry Smith]]
| after=[[Henry Smith (Rhode Island governor)|Henry Smith]]
| years=1790–1805
| years=1790–1805
}}
}}
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{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}




{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Fenner, Arthur
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American politician
| DATE OF BIRTH = 10 December 1745
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH = 15 October 1805
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fenner, Arthur}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fenner, Arthur}}
[[Category:1745 births]]
[[Category:1745 births]]
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[[Category:Governors of Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Governors of Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Country Party (Rhode Island) state governors of the United States]]
[[Category:Country Party (Rhode Island) state governors of the United States]]
[[Category:Baptists from the United States]]
[[Category:Baptists from Rhode Island]]
[[Category:History of Christianity in the United States]]
[[Category:History of Christianity in the United States]]
[[Category:History of the Thirteen Colonies]]
[[Category:History of the Thirteen Colonies]]
[[Category:Burials in Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Burials at North Burying Ground (Providence)]]
[[Category:People from Providence, Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Politicians from Providence, Rhode Island]]

Latest revision as of 20:38, 19 July 2023

Arthur Fenner
4th Governor of Rhode Island
In office
May 5, 1790 – October 15, 1805
Lieutenant GovernorSamuel J. Potter
George Brown
Samuel J. Potter
Paul Mumford
Preceded byJohn Collins
Succeeded byHenry Smith
Personal details
Born(1745-12-10)December 10, 1745
Providence, Colony of Rhode Island, British America[1]
DiedOctober 15, 1805(1805-10-15) (aged 59)
Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.[1]
Resting placeNorth Burial Ground
Political partyCountry Party
SpouseAmey Comstock

Arthur Fenner (December 10, 1745 – October 15, 1805) was an American politician who served as the fourth Governor of Rhode Island from 1790 until his death in 1805. He has the seventh longest gubernatorial tenure in post-Constitutional U.S. history at 5,641 days.[2] Fenner 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).[3]

Early life

[edit]

Fenner was born in 1745 to a prominent family in Providence, Rhode Island, in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, the eleventh of twelve children.[4] His parents were Arthur Fenner, Jr. (October 17, 1699 – January 21, 1788)[5] and Mary Olney (September 30, 1704 – March 18, 1756).[5] The Fenner family owned a wharf known as Fenner's Wharf, where the Gaspee Affair occurred in 1772.[6] The wharf was located near what is now 155 South Main Street in Providence.[4]

His ancestor Captain Arthur Fenner (1622–1703) had been a member of the Town Council, an associate of Roger Williams, and fought in King Philip's War.[1]

During the American Revolution he served as a lieutenant in Hitchcock's Regiment in 1775 during the Siege of Boston. He then served as a captain in Babcock's/Lippitt's Regiment of Rhode Island state troops in 1776. For many years before becoming governor, Fenner served as the clerk of the Court of Common Pleas.[4]

Governorship

[edit]

He served as governor of Rhode Island from 1790 to 1805 and died in office. Fenner was governor of Rhode Island when it became the last of the thirteen states to ratify the Constitution on May 29, 1790. The following quote is from the Dictionary of American Biography:

In March 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. Potter 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.

Significant events during Fenner's time in office:

  • George Washington visited Rhode Island (August 1790)[1]
  • The Providence Bank was established (1791)[1]
  • The Weybosset Bridge was rebuilt (1792)[1]
  • The Blackstone Canal was begun (February 1796)[1]
  • President John Adams visited Providence (1797)[1]
  • The Great Fire on the west side of South Main Street, opposite the foot of Planet Street, did $300,000 worth of damage (January 21, 1801)[1]

Personal life

[edit]
Coat of arms of Arthur Fenner

Fenner married Amey Comstock (c. 1749 – September 5, 1828, in her 80th yr.), daughter of Gideon Comstock of Smithfield, Rhode Island.

His son, James Fenner, gave up his position as a US senator to be elected governor two years after his father's death. James served from 1807 to 1811, from 1824 to 1831, and from 1843 to 1845. Arthur and Amey Fenner were members of the First Baptist Church in America, at Providence. They had five children:

  1. Arthur Fenner Jr. (November 9, 1766 – September 27, 1837); fifer in various companies; lived at Fairfield, New York, in 1827; married Lydia Sabin (born 1766), daughter of Thomas Sabin, on December 8, 1787; they had Harriet Elizabeth (February 7, 1805 – May 2, 1829)
  2. Amy (February 16, 1769 – May 7, 1772, age 3)
  3. James Fenner (January 22, 1771 – April 17, 1846); Governor of Rhode Island, married Sarah Jenckes
  4. Joseph (c. 1773 – July 18, 1797, in Providence, age 24)
  5. Sally (1778 – August 21, 1794, at Newport, age 16)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Biographical Cyclopedia of Representative Men of Rhode Island. Providence: National Biographical Publishing Co. 1881. pp. 136–137.
  2. ^ Ostermeier, Eric (April 10, 2013). "The Top 50 Longest-Serving Governors of All Time". Smart Politics.
  3. ^ [1] Archived July 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ a b c "Governor Arthur Fenner". The Fenner Family Tree. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Arthur Fenner". The Fenner Family Tree. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  6. ^ "Fenner Family Tree". Retrieved March 30, 2015.
[edit]
Party political offices
First Country nominee for Governor of Rhode Island
1790, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794, 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1799, 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Governor of Rhode Island
1790–1805 		Succeeded by
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