Edward Fenner, Jr. was born 1736 in Cranston, Providence, RI, the fifth of ten children born to Edward Fenner and Amey Borden (married April 11, 1728). He married Dinah Potter on March 14, 1757 in Cranston. They had three children:
In addition to these children, Fenner had a son named Abel whose birthdate is unknown.
After the death of his first wife, Edward Fenner, Jr. married Welthian Colegrove on March 30, 1786 in Foster, RI.
He was President of the Johnston Town Council (in 1795) and also the town treasurer (dates unknown). He died on May 31, 1813 in Cranston, RI.
The first Fenner to arrive in Rhode Island was Captain Arthur Fenner, who immigrated to Providence in 1649. He and his wife Mehitable Waterman were Edward Fenner, Jr.'s great grandparents. The house Captain Arthur and his son Thomas built in 1677 still stands in Cranston, RI.
Among Edward Fenner, Jr.'s relatives was a cousin once removed named Arthur Fenner whose wharf was used to launch the attack on the Gaspee on June 10, 1772. Known as the Gaspee Affair, this burning of a British Royal Naval Ship and the first intentional shooting of a British military man was Providence's equivalent to the Boston Tea Party.
Edward Fenner, Jr. was a second cousin to Rhode Island Governor Arthur Fenner whose son James Fenner was also a governor of Rhode Island. Governor James Fenner was the top-ranked student in the 1789 graduating class at Brown University.
Sources of information: Richard Arthur Fenner and Brown University Archives.
There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested..
Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Edward Fenner papers, Ms. Fenner, Brown University Library.
The collection is divided into 3 series:
Series 1 is ordered alphabetically by author. Series 3 is arranged chronologically.
A small collection of 24 items, covering the period 1724-1802. These documents are of primary interest for the study of Rhode Island during the eighteenth century, including local and colony governance, legal and economic practices, family life and religious affiliation, as well as local contributions to Rhode Island's participation in the Revolutionary War.
The title page image is a detail of a religious acrostic poem from Series 1. Letters received by Fenner and manuscripts.
Brown University Library catalog record for this collection:
Stampless cover. Left Fenner's and others' notes at lawyer's. Wants to settle his business somehow before he leaves this part of country. Expresses shame at his conduct.
1 conjoined leaf as stampless cover. Went to Genesee Country and back in 25 days, purchased a proprietor's right; thinks their money well spent.
1 conjoined leaf as stampless cover. After visit at Fenner's had smallpox; infected wife who died from it. Had other members of his family inoculated and all survived.
1 conjoined leaf as stampless cover. Is opposed [in running for office] and doesn't know opponent's name. Asks Fenner's help and friendship on election day.
Stampless cover. At direction of general assembly, requests Fenner to furnish dates of enlistment of men of his town for past year.
Three religious acrostic poems spelling respectively Sarah Fenner, Edward Fenner, Welthan Fenner.
Filed with oversize manuscripts.
Filed with oversize manuscripts.
On verso: Discharge of mortgage. Filed with oversize manuscripts.
On verso: Discharge of mortgage. Filed with oversize manuscripts.