Individual Details
Capt. Arthur Fenner
(1619 - 10 Oct 1703)
By tradition, Capt Arthur Fenner was a Lieutenant in Cromwell's army. He was an expert engineer and surveyor.
Last Will & Testament of Capt. Fenner. Wife Howlong. Daughters: Freelove Crawford, Bethiah Kelton, and Phebe Latham. Sons: Thomas and Arthur Fenner to be Executors. 27 Aug 1703. Proved 12 Nov 1703.
Rhode Island, Civil and Military List, 1647-1800
1659, May. Generall Sargeant and Solicitor: James Rogers
Chosen to make out Western Line of the Colony:
Arthur Fenner, Capt. Thomas Cooke, John Crandall, Lieut. Robert Westcott
1677. May. King's Garrison at Providence: Capt. Arthur Fenner
https://www.fennertree.com/arthur-fenner-1619-1703
[bpt 17 Oct. 1619; d 10 Oct. 1703] Arthur, son of Arthur Fenner and Sarah Browne, was baptized at St. Bartholomew's in Horley, Surrey, England. He had been a Lieutenant in a troop of horses in Cromwell’s army before coming to Providence on 27 Feb. 1649. On March 10, he bought equal rights into the Providence Plantations for 30 shillings. As a civil engineer, he helped survey the boundaries of Providence. He served as Constable for the town of Providence in 1651, and was Assistant to the Town Council in 1651, 1659, 1665, 1668, 1672, 1676, 1679, 1686, and 1690. He also served as Commissioner to the General Court, Moderator, Treasurer, and Deputy, among other jobs. He reportedly received some of his land from Indian Chief Massasoit and held 600 acres of land in 4 counties.
Arthur's home was dubbed “Fenner Castle” because of its large chimney and served as a garrison during Indian uprisings. There is an oil painting of Fenner Castle in the Historical Society of Providence, RI. King Philip's warriors burned it to the ground in 1676; it was rebuilt the following year around the chimney, which survived the fire. It eventually collapsed from neglect in 1886. A second house which Arthur built for his son Thomas in 1677 still stands in Cranston, RI, and is owned by a descendant.
Arthur m 1st Mehitable Waterman [b 1626 at Nyland, Somerset England; d 3 Dec. 1683 at Providence, RI], daughter of Richard Waterman and Bethiah Waite (or Rice), who emigrated to the colonies in 1629 and settled with Roger Williams in Providence Plantations. Arthur m 2nd Howlong Harris on 16 Dec. 1686, daughter of William and Susan Harris, but had no more children.
Events
| Birth | 1619 | Horley, Surrey, England | |||
| Christen | 17 Oct 1619 | Horley, Surrey, England | |||
| Marriage | 1649 | Mehitable Waterman |  | ||
| Marriage | 16 Dec 1684 | Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island - Howlong Harris | | ||
| Death | 10 Oct 1703 | Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island | |
Families
| Spouse | Howlong Harris ( - ) |
| Spouse | Mehitable Waterman (1626 - 1684) |
| Child | Thomas Fenner (1652 - 1718) |
| Child | Sarah Fenner (1655 - 1676) |
| Child | Freelove Fenner (1656 - 1712) |
| Child | Arthur Fenner II (1658 - 1725) |
| Child | Samuel Fenner (1660 - 1680) |
| Child | Bethiah Fenner (1662 - 1749) |
| Child | Phebe Fenner (1665 - 1716) |
| Father | Arthur Fenner (1575 - 1646) |
| Mother | Sara Browne (1592 - 1634) |
Endnotes
1. Whipple Family Organization
2. The Early Records of the Town of Providence. 21 Volumes commissioned by the City Council to be collected and printed from the early records of the town. (Snow & Farnham City Printers), Vol. V, p.294.
3. The Early Records of the Town of Providence. 21 Volumes commissioned by the City Council to be collected and printed from the early records of the town. (Snow & Farnham City Printers), Book VI, Book of Wills 1: p.227-235.