James Fenner
Encyclopedia
James Fenner was an American
politician who served as an United States Senator
as well as the seventh, 11th and 17th Governor of Rhode Island (on three separate occasions). He was the son of Arthur Fenner
, the fourth governor of Rhode Island.
Fenner was born in Providence, Rhode Island
. He graduated from Brown University
in 1789, and was married to Sarah Whipple Jenckes (his first cousin, once removed) on 17 November 1792. He served as United States senator from 1805 to 1807, then gave up his senatorship to become Governor of Rhode Island, two years after his father died in office. Fenner served as governor from 1807 to 1811, from 1824 to 1831, and from 1843 to 1845. In his final term, Fenner became the first governor to serve under the Rhode Island Constitution
, adopted in 1842.
Fenner died in his mansion "What Cheer" in 1846, and was interred in the North Burial Ground
in Providence.
Fenner had four children with his wife, Sarah Jenckes:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician who served as an United States Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
as well as the seventh, 11th and 17th Governor of Rhode Island (on three separate occasions). He was the son of Arthur Fenner
Arthur Fenner
Arthur Fenner served as the fourth Governor of Rhode Island from 1790 until his death in 1805 and was a prominent Country Party leader...
, the fourth governor of Rhode Island.
Fenner was born in Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
. He graduated from Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
in 1789, and was married to Sarah Whipple Jenckes (his first cousin, once removed) on 17 November 1792. He served as United States senator from 1805 to 1807, then gave up his senatorship to become Governor of Rhode Island, two years after his father died in office. Fenner served as governor from 1807 to 1811, from 1824 to 1831, and from 1843 to 1845. In his final term, Fenner became the first governor to serve under the Rhode Island Constitution
Rhode Island Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations is a document describing the structure and function of the government of the U.S. State of Rhode Island.-History:...
, adopted in 1842.
Fenner died in his mansion "What Cheer" in 1846, and was interred in the North Burial Ground
North Burial Ground
The North Burial Ground is a cemetery in Providence, Rhode Island, dating to 1700. Providence had no public burial ground and no Common until the year 1700 because Rhode Island's religious and government institutions were so rigorously kept distinct, dating back to its founding by Roger...
in Providence.
Fenner had four children with his wife, Sarah Jenckes:
- Almira Theodosia (17 January 1793 – 10 October 1872)
- Sarah
- Freelove (ca. 1799 – 2 August 1817)
- Arthur (ca. 1810 – 8 March 1832)