Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17345, Joseph Fenner, R.I.
Page 1

(9-1776)
Service
R.I.
Fenner, Joseph
Ruth
Number
W.17345
Page 2

3397.
Rhode Island
Ruth Fenner
widow of Joseph Fenner
who died on the 7th (illegible) 1796,
of Windham Co in the State of (illegible)
who was a private in the (illegible)  commanded by Captian (illegible)  of the (illegible)  commanded by (illegible) in the R.Island line for 18 mo(illegible)
---

Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island
at the rate of 60. Dollars cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

---
Certificate of Pensions issued the 24th day of July 1840. (illegible) and (illegible)
                               Providence. R.I.
-
Arrears to the 4th of March $540.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept 30.00
                                              ----
                                               570.00
                                              ----- 
                              {Revolutionary Claim
                                Act July 4, 1836,
                                Section the 3.}
Recorded by Mr. G (intelligible); Clerk, 
Book C  Vol. 1---------  Page 9
Page 3

4987
Ruth Fenner 
LOI
act July 3
m75. d 96-

(illegible)
18 Mo: Pri
Toll
No deduction
Benjn Cowell
Providence
R.I
Page 4

State of Connecticut

County of Windham

On this 9th day of October 1839 personally appeared before me Theophilus B. Chandler, Judge of the Court of Probate a Court of Record within and for the District of Woodstock, Ruth Fenner now resident in Woodstock in said County, aged eighty three years who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress proposed July 4th 1836 that she is the widow of Joseph Fenner formerly of Coventry in the State of Rhode Island who was a soldier of the war of the Revolution, that he enlisted and served in a Corps called the Kenitsh Guards under the command of Capt Richard Frey as a private for nearly all the war Said Company was stationed at East Greenwich in the said State of Rhode Island a greater part of the time, but she must refer to the evidence of those who served with him, for a more particular identification. And she further declares, that she was married to the said Joseph Fenner on the 28th day of December AD 1775 as will appear by the evidence annexed, that her husband the said Joseph Fenner departed this life on the seventh day of February 1796 and since then she has remained a widow, wherefore she requests that a pension may be granted to her agreably to the provisions of the Act aforesaid. - Ruth Fenner
Page 5

Windham [illegible]
In Woodstock October 9th 1839
Sworn to and subscribed before me and [illegible]
said Ruth is too old and infirm to attend Court
and that statements are entitled to full credit.
Attent Theophilus B. Chandler, Judge of Probate for the District of Woodstock

I John Paine Clerk of Probate for the District of Woodstock in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut do hereby certify that Theophilus B. Chandler Esq before whom the foregoing disposition was made is duly enrolled as a Judge of Probate for the said District of Woodstock, that the above signatures of this name is his hand writing, and that full faith and credit ought to be given to his Acts as such.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto let my hand and seal of said office

Dated at Woodstock this 9th day of October AD 1839

[Seal] John Paine, Clerk of Probate for the District of Woodstock
Page 6

[Seal] State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Secretary's office Feb 18, 1840

I Henry Bowen, Secretary of said State and Keeper of the Records and the Seal thereof, Do certify, that the session of the General Assembly of said State holden on the second Monday of June last William Harrison was elected Justice of the Peace for the town of Warwick, and Asahel Johnson Justice of the Peace for the town of Coventry, in the County of   Kent, for and until the first Wednesday of May nest; ad Commissioned accordingly as appears of [illegible].

Witnessed my hand and the Seal of said State at Providence the day and year first above written
Henry Bowen
Page 7

Ruth Fenner's Bible given her by her Honores -
Father Stephen Potter Joseph Fenner was Born April the 10 - 1753
Joseph Fenner and Ruth Potter was married December the 28 --1775
Polly Fenner was born January the first 1777 and she died August the 30 -- 1778
Nabby Fenner born March the 15 - 1780
Amy Fenner was born December the 11 - 1783
She died July the 17 --1784
Richard Fenner was Born August the 6th in the year 1789
Joseph Fenner Junior was born October the 7 - AD 1793
Jos. Joseph Fenner Departed this life February the Seventh Day in the year - 1796 - and the Forty third year of his age
Samuel Fenner 2nd was Born April the 11 - in the year 1796

Joseph Fenner Junior Departed the Life February the 3rd 1805 In the Twelfth year of his age
Richard Fenner Departed this Life February the 12 AD 1805 In the sixteenth year of his age.
Page 8

THE
NEW TESTAMENT
OF OUR
LORD and SAVIOUR

Newly Translated out of
The Original GREEK:
AND
With the former TRANSLATIONS diligently
Compared and Revised.
By His Majesty's Special Command.
Appointed to be Read in CHURCHES.
Page 9

A N D
With the former TRANSLATIONS diligently
Compared and Revised.
By His Majesty's Special Command.
Appointed to be Read in CHURCHES.
OXFORD.
Printed by the UNIVERSITY PRINTERS. MDCCI.
Page 10

I Phebe Irvin of Coventry and county of Kent and State of Rhode Island, being almost seventy two years of age, on oath do testify and say that Ruth Fenner of Woodstock Connecticut the widow of Joseph Fenner formerly of said County is my sister. I was present at the marriage of my sister to the said Joseph Fenner they were married in the early part of the Revolutionary War, I believe in the year 1775. I was a little girl about six or seven years old. It was the first wedding that ever I attended and it made an impression on my mind, which I never shall forget. My said sister is about twelve years older than I am. I remember that my brother in law was absent a great deal in the war. I stayed at his house. I remember he belonged to a company called the Kentish guards. 

Witness                                          her
Asahel Johnson                    Phebe X Irvin
                                                     mark

Kent Js. Coventry November 14th 1839-
When personally appeared before me the above said Phebe Irvin and made oath to the above deposition by her sign and I further certify that said Phebe is well known to me and she is a creditable witness

Asahel Johnson
Justice Peace
Page 11

Samuel Fenner of Woodstock Windham
County State of Connecticut do testify and say
that I am now forty three years of age - that
Ruth Fenner who has signed and sworn
to the preceding declaration is my Mother
& the said Joseph Fenner was my father and
I further testify that the record
of their intermarriage as it appears in
the Bible hereto annexed was copied off
from another Bible which was given to
my Sister who now resides in the State of
Pennsylvania if living and who has possession of the same according to my best
recollection Horatio Tomkins made of this
record four or five years ago while he and
my Sister were on a visit at Woodstock
I well recollect that my Mother was
very anxious that the great Bible (as it
was called), should go into possession of my
Sister in her lifetime, as it had been handed
down from Mother to Daughter for a number
of Generations - The record is in the hand
writing of my Nephew Horatio Tomkins who
also resides in Pennsylvania if living.
Samuel Fenner
Windham County ss Woodstock November AD 1839
Personally came before me Samuel Fenner of Woodstock in
Windham County signer of the foregoing deposition and
made solemn oath to the truth of the same
Sworn before me John Paine Justice of the Peace
Page 12

I Theo. B. Chandler Judge of Probate for the District
of Woodstock in the County of Windham State of Connecticut
do hereby certify that John Paine Esqr before whom the
within deposition was made is duly enrolled as a Justice
of the Peace in and for said Windham County; that the
within signature of his name is his hand writing and that
full faith and credit ought to be given to his act as such
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of said Office
Dated at Woodstock this
5th day of November AD 1839
Theo. B. Chandler Judge of
Probate for the district of Woodstock
I further certify that the foregoing Samuel
Fenner is an acquaintance of mine and I consider
him as a creditable Witness
Theo. B. Chandler
Page 13

I Marcy Fenner of Plainfield in the County of
Windham and State of Connecticut aged seventy
two years and upwards being engaged and sworn
according to law do depose and say
That Joseph Fenner formerly of Coventry in the
State of Rhode Island was my brother in
law - I well recollect his death which occurred
at Scituate in the State of Rhode Island on
the seventh day of February AD 1796 I was
at that time living within half a mile of
the residence of the said Joseph. I frequently
visited him during his last sickness and attended his funeral. I do further say that I have
ever been and am still acquainted with
Mrs Ruth Fenner formerly the wife and
now the widow of the said Joseph deceased
who now resides in Woodstock in the
County of Windham and State of Connecticut
and I do further say that the said Ruth
since the death of her said late husband
Joseph Fenner, has never been married, but
ever has remained, and still remains the
widow of the said Joseph-- Since the death
of the said Joseph I have been upon terms of
intimacy with the said Ruth and have frequently visited her and she has frequently
visited me so that if she had ever since been
married to any other person I think I should
certainly have known it-- and further this
deponent sayeth not
Marcy Fenner
At a Court of Probate holden at Killings
within and for the District of Killing on the
16th day of October AD 1839-
Present Thomas Backus Judge
Personally appeared Marcy Fenner who
Page 14

hath subscribed the foregoing deposition
and made solemn oath to the truth of the same
before me. I do further certify that the
said Marcy is a credible witness
Thomas Backus Judge of
of the Court
of Probate for
the District of Killing
I Gideon C Segar Clerk of the
Page 15

Court of Probate within and for the District
of Killings do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the
proceedings of said Court in the
matter of the application of Ruth
Fenner for a Pension in testimony
whereof I have hereunto subscribed
my name and affixed the seal of said
Court this 16th
day of October 1839
G.C. Seyers Clerk
Page 16

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
AWF/EEL

August 17, 1929

Mr. Alfred F. Isham
Central Y.M.C.A
Los Angeles, California

Dear Sir:

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W.17345, it appears that Joseph Fenner was born April 10, 1753, place not stated.

While residing in Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island, he enlisted in 1776, and served with the Kentish Guards as a private in Captain Richard Fry's Rhode Island Company, most of the time they were stationed at East Greenwich, Rhode Island, was for one month at Tiverton and was also in Sullivan's expedition to Rhode Island. He served until the close of the war and was in the service most of the time.

He died February 7, 1796, in Scituate, Rhode Island. 

The Soldier married December 28, 1775, Ruth Potter, the daughter of Stephen Potter.

She was allowed pension on her application executed October 9, 1839, at which time she was living at Woodstock,
Page 17

Windham County, Connecticut, and was aged eighty-three years.

The Following appears on the family record:

Polly Fenner born January 1, 1777, died August 30, 1778.

Nabby Fenner born March 25, 1780.

Amy Fenner born December 11, 1783, died July 17, 1784.

Richard Fenner born August 6, 1789, died February 12, 1805.

Joseph Fenner, Jr. born October 7, 1793, died February 3, 1805.

Samuel Fenner, 2nd born April 11, 1796.

In 1839, their son, Samuel was residing in Windham, Connecticut, and referred to a sister who lived in Pennsylvania but did not give her name, and to his nephew, Horatio Tomkins, who was residing in Pennsylvania in 1839.

Very truly yours,
Earl D. Church
Commissioner.
Page 18

Connecticut 3397
Ruth Fenner
widow of Joseph Fener
who died on the 4th February 1796
of Windham Co in the State of Connecticut
who was a private in the Compy commanded
by Captain Fry of the --- commanded
by R.I.
in the R. [illegible]
line for 10 mos
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut
at the rate of 60. Dollars
Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3d day of August
1840, & sent to Benjn Cowell
Providence, R.I.
Arrears to the 4th of March $540.00.
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep 40 30.00
$570.00
Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3rd
Recorded by Wm. Lantzinger , Clerk
Book C Vol. 1 Page 74
Page 19

I Nathan Miller of Warwick in the County of Kent
and State of Rhode Island being now Eighty Seven years
of age on oath do testify and say that in December
1776 I enlisted into a Company called the Kentish
Gards under the command of Capt. Richard Fry, who
had the rank of Colonel, and I served in said company
as a private until the end of the war. Hopkins Cook
was our first Lieutenant and Christopher Greene was
second Lieutenant. I further testify that I well
remember Joseph Fenner of Coventry who was a
private in said company when I joined and he continued 
to serve in that capacity until the end of the war.
Said Joseph married Ruth Potter as I understand who
is now living in Connecticut and is a widow. When I joined
said company in December 1776 it was a duty and 
continued as duty until February 1777 quartered at 
the Courthouse in East Greenwich. The number of the corps
was about one hundred and eight rank and file we
received our pay from the Captain and our rations
from the Commissary John Reynolds who was stationed
at East Greenwich. In March 1777 we were again called 
on duty and quartered at said place and received our pay
and rations in the same manner as before and we served
until May, and in June, according to my best recolection, we
were again called into service and were stationed at said
place and paid and subsisted in same manner until 
January 1778. During all this time we were in actual 
service received our pay and rations and stationed at said
East Greenwich all the time except one month (October)
when we were stationed in Tiverton in General Spencer's
Expedition. During all this time nearly the whole corps
were on duty except they had a furlough, we were governed
by the same Rules and Regulations the Continental 
Trops were, and we served in like manner. For a part
of the time we were the only Troops at said place. We were
then relieved but a very short time and were again called into
duty at the same place. I think we began in February 1778
or March and we continued on duty until July and then
we marched to join Sulivan's expedition on the Island of Rhode
Page 20

Rhode Island, this Expedition lasted until about the first
of September then we went back to East Greenwich to
our old Station until late in the fall and was quartered subsisted and paid in the same way we had been before.
We served seven months at least this year. In the year 
1779 ^ I think the first of January we began our service at said Station and continued until March or sometime in the Spring. With but little intermissions we were in actual service from the time the British landed their forces in Newport in December 1776 to the time they left in November 1779.
In August 1780 we served a month on Rhode Island.
Our service at East Greenwich was a military service
not one of vigilence of citizens. The Kentish Gards
were enlisted from the three towns viz East Greenwich
Warwick and Coventry. Said Joseph belonged to
Coventry and served with us during all the time
according to my best recolection. I have a distinct
recolection of the above facts and I believe I have 
stated them correctly.
Nathan Miller

State of Rhode Island
County of Kent  Si   In Warwick the 5th day
of October AD 1839 Personally appeared, before the
subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for the said
County of Kent, Nathan Miller the above named
deponant and subscribed and was duly sworn to the 
truth of his said deposition before me  And I further certify that the said Nathan Miller is a credible
witness with whom I am personally acquainted
Wm. Harrison Justice of the Peace
Page 21

1929. Aug. 17 - Hist to Mr. Alfred F Isham [illegible]

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 17345
Ruth Fenner
Widow of
Joseph Fenner
Priv. Rev. War

Act: July 4th 1836
Index:--Vol. 1, Page 80
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 22

Arnold
A line Johnston 1790 1 boy under 16, 2 dau + wife
Page 23

Central Y M C A
Los Angeles, Calif., May 22, 1929
Pension Office, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sirs: I am writing a genealogy of the Fenner family of Rhode Island.  I do not know how much you can help with information regarding who the numerous participants in the Revolution were, by this name. At this time, if you can go no further, I would like all you can give about Joseph Fenner.
Very truly yours,
Alfred Fenner Isham

ask for full name etc 

[Stamped: Pension Office D. May 27 1929 U.S.]
Page 24

Aug 1. 1849

I L Edwards Esq
Commission of Pensions
Washington
DC
Page 25

4987
Ruth Fenner 
RI
Suspended
Sent Co Benj'n Cowell Esq
May 8th 1840
Act 4 July 36
Page 26

Providence Feb 19 1840

Sir

I herewith enclose the application of Mrs Ruth Fenner of Woodstock in the State of Connecticut, widow of Joseph Fenner formerly of Coventry for a pension under the act of July 4 1836. I was requested after the evidence of the service was obtained in this State to forward the papers to the Pension Office - The record of the marriage is on a leaf between the Old + New Testament.

I am respectfully 
Your obt sevt
Benja Cowell
Page 27

Providence July 29 1840
Sir
I return the enclosed certificate for
the correction of a small mistake It
ought to have been for Ruth Fenner
of Windham Co, Connecticut & not Vermont
Thinking perhaps her name might be
sent to agency in Vermont I thought
it best to return it in season to
have it corrected
I am respectfully
your obt sevt
Benja Cowell
J. L. Edwards Esq
Page 28


Providence June 21 1840
Sir
In answer to your letter of May 8th
resputing the claim of Ruth Fenner
widow of Joseph, I herewith inclose the
original leaf from the family Bible
as you directed. I cut the leaf out
myself from the old Bible recently
brought from the State of Pennsylvania
& now in my possession  As this was
all that was wanted I have to request
that a certificate may be granted for
the amount of service admitted
You observe in the above letter
that the Bible containing "a copy of the
family register" was returned to me
It has not as yet been received & the
Post Master informs me it has not
come to the office
Unfortunately
Page 29

as you will see in cutting out the
leaf from the Bible I did not cut it
right, but severed the record in an important
part. This is the reason of its present ap
pearance  The inspection will show it was 
an accident
I am respectfully
your obt sevt
Benja Cowell
JL Edwards Esq
Page 30


Providence Sept 17 1842
Sir
About two years since I sent you
a Bible containing a record of the
marriage of Ruth Fenner widow of
Joseph Fenner  The record in this Bible
had been copied from another very
old one & you required the original
record should be sent. This was done
& the pension was granted, or rather
a leaf from the very old Bible, containing
the record, was sent
I have been recently requested to write
you to return the Bible first sent
and as the original record was sent
I suppose this can be of no use & I
have therefore to request it now be
returned
I am respectfully
your obt sert
Benja Cowell
J.L. Edwards Esq
Page 31

Joseph Fenner d 1775 S
Ruth M. 1796
for Kenlirth Guards. Last
R Fry
Nathan MIller ML
Dec 76 to Feb 77 Pursuaint 1.18
March 77 May 1.15
June 77 June 78 7.
Feb 78  7.
Jan 79 March 79 3
okd to Mar 79
Aug 80 1 mo.  R5
Fenner was in said Co
Page 32

'---
Nathan
Miller dec
Ill 76
Kent Guards to
Mill
a Mar. 4 May 1.77
---
me to Jan 78
than 78
---
Nov 78
June 79
No. 79

127.
dec.
1.15
111 -
---
6 -
2
2
R
---
30-12
Page 33

Ruth Fenner
Payment to be made at Providence, R.I. by S. Waterman, Esq. Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of Rhode Island

Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book C. Vol. [illegible] Page 91 by Wm. C. Zantzinger Clerk
Page 34

War Department
Revolutionary Claim
I certify that, in conformity with the third section of the law of the United States, of the 4th July, 1836, Ruth Fenner of Windham Co [crossed out]
widow of Joseph Fenner, who was a private in the Revolutionary [illegible] is entitled to receive sixty dollars and [blank] cents per annum, during the time she may remain unmarried, commencing of the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September.
Issued in lieu of a certificate for the same amount dated 24th of July, 1840, cancelled.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this [crossed out] day of [crossed out] one thousand eight hundred and forty.
C. F. Bennett Secretary of War
Examined and countersigned
J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions