James Fenner

James Fenner (January 22, 1771 – April 17, 1846) was an American politician who served as a United States Senator as well as the 7th, 11th and 17th Governor of Rhode Island (on three occasions). He was the son of Arthur Fenner, the fourth governor of Rhode Island.

James Fenner
Official Rhode Island State House portrait by James Sullivan Lincoln
7th, 11th, and 17th Governor of Rhode Island
In office May 6, 1807 – May 1, 1811
Lieutenant	Constant Taber Simeon Martin Isaac Wilbour
Preceded by	Isaac Wilbour
Succeeded by	William Jones
In office May 5, 1824 – May 4, 1831
Lieutenant	Charles Collins
Preceded by	William C. Gibbs
Succeeded by	Lemuel H. Arnold
In office May 2, 1843 – May 6, 1845
Lieutenant	Byron Diman
Preceded by	Samuel Ward King
Succeeded by	Charles Jackson
United States Senator from Rhode Island
In office March 4, 1805 – September 1807
Preceded by	Christopher Ellery
Succeeded by	Elisha Mathewson
33rd Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court
In office 1819–1819
Preceded by	Tristam Burges
Succeeded by	Isaac Wilbour
Personal details
Born	January 22, 1771 Providence, Colony of Rhode Island, British America (now Rhode Island, U.S.)
Died	April 17, 1846 (aged 75) Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Political party	Democratic-Republican
Other political affiliations	Law and Order

Biography

Fenner was born in Providence in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. He graduated from Brown University in 1789, and was married to Sarah Whipple Jenckes (his first cousin, once removed) on November 17, 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. Fenner was elected to his first two terms as a Democratic-Republican and as his third term as a member of the Law and Order Party of Rhode Island. 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:

• Almira Theodosia (January 17, 1793 – October 10, 1872)
• Sarah
• Freelove (ca. 1799 – August 2, 1817)
• Arthur (ca. 1810 – March 8, 1832)

External links

• United States Congress. "James Fenner (id: F000074)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Gov. James Fenner in the Fenner Genealogy
• James Fenner at Find a Grave