Edward Fenner papers, 1724-1802

John Hay Library , Special Collections
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146
email: hay@brown.edu

Published in 2013

Collection Overview

Title:	Edward Fenner papers
Date range:	1724-1802
Creator:	Fenner, Edward, 1736-
Extent:	0.25 Linear feet
Abstract:	The Edward Fenner papers consist of correspondence, family records, deeds, accounts, receipts, orders, invoices, and other documents relating to Fenner's family background, his life and his service on the Town Council of Johnston, Rhode Island during the latter half of the eighteenth century.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	John Hay Library , Special Collections
Collection number:	Ms.Fenner

Scope & content

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.

Access Points

Subject Names

• Bowen, Pardon, 1757-1826
• Bushee, William
• Carter, John, 1745-1814
• Fenner, Edward, 1736-
• Fiske, Caleb, 1753-1835
• Pearce, Ephraim
• Spencer, Benjamin
• Ward, Henry, 1732-1797
• Ward, Samuel, 1756-1832

Subject Topics

• Baptists--Rhode Island
• Cost and standard of living--Rhode Island--18th century
• Johnston (R.I.)--History--18th century
• Johnston (R.I.)--Officials and employers--Correspondence
• Rhode Island--History--18th century
• Rhode Island--History--Revolution, 1775-1783

Occupations

• Baptists
• Public officers

Document Types

• Certificates
• Deeds
• Legal documents
• Letters (Correspondence)
• Poems

Subject Topics

• Rhode Island/Local Interest

Arrangement

The collection is divided into 3 series:

• Series 1. Letters received by Fenner
• Series 2. Manuscripts by Fenner
• Series 3. Documents and miscellaneous items

Series 1 is ordered alphabetically by author. Series 3 is arranged chronologically.

Biographical note on Edward Fenner and the Fenner family

Biography of Edward Fenner, Jr. (1736?-1813)

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:

• Edward (ca. 1760 - March 19, 1782)
• Dinah (Nov. 9, 1772-Nov. 26, 1833) who married Thomas Sprague
• John (March 27, 1778- Feb. 22, 1858) who married Catherine Beverly

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.

Fenner family history

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.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	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..
Use of the materials:	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.
Preferred citation:	Edward Fenner papers, Ms. Fenner, Brown University Library.
Contact information:	John Hay Library , Special Collections Box A Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Tel: 401-863-2146 email: hay@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Processing information:	The title page image is a detail of a religious acrostic poem from Series 1. Letters received by Fenner and manuscripts.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Encoding:	This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2013-02-20
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Other information:

Brown University Library catalog record for this collection: Edward Fenner papers

Inventory

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