Arthur Fenner (b. December 10, 1745; d. October 15, 1805) served as the governor of Rhode Island from 1790 until his death in 1805. December 10 is the 344th day (345th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... // Events May 11 - War of Austrian Succession: Battle of Fontenoy - At Fontenoy, French forces defeat an Anglo-Dutch-Hanoverian army including the Black Watch June 4 – Frederick the Great destroys Austrian army at Hohenfriedberg August 19 - Beginning of the 45 Jacobite Rising at Glenfinnan September 12 - Francis I is elected... October 15 is the 288th day of the year (289th in Leap years). ... 1805 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... This article is the current U.S. Collaboration of the Week. ...

Gov. Arthur married Amey Comstock (b ca. 1749; d 5 Sept. 1828, in her 80th yr.), daughter of Gideon Comstock of Smithfield. 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 colonies to ratify the Constitution on 29 May 1790. The following quote is from the Dictionary of American Biography: This article is the current U.S. Collaboration of the Week. ...

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 Owens 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.

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:

1. Arthur Jr. (b 9 Nov. 1766; d 27 Sept. 1837); fifer in various companies; lived at Fairfield, NY in 1827; married Lydia Sabin (b 1766), daughter of Thomas Sabin, on 8 Dec. 1787. They had Harriet Elizabeth (b 7 Feb. 1805; d 2 May 1829).
2. James (b 22 Jan. 1771; d 17 Apr. 1846); Governor of RI, married Sarah Jenckes.
3. Joseph (b ca. 1773; d 18 July 1797 in Providence, age 24).
4. Sally (b 1778; d 21 Aug. 1794 at Newport, age 16).

External links

• Fenner Genealogy