Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 43,554, Arthur Fenner, R.I.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE 
R. I.
Fenner, Arthur
NUMBER
S 43,554
CONTENTS
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3567.
New York Roll-
Arthur Fenner
Colo Hitchcock
Lieutenant
Rhode Island line
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary
Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of Twenty Dollars per month, to commence
the 10th of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 12th of October 18[illegible]
and sent to Simeon and Lauren Ford
Herkimer N. Y.
Arrears to 4th of September 1818….96.66
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 March 18[illegible]…120.__
[underline]
$216.66
[illegible] 20
25/30-16.66
Hitchcock
{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}
2 years
Continued
Fairfield, Herkimer
Notification sent to the Hon. Mr. Hackley
24 January 1821. House of Representatives
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I Arthur Fenner of the Town of Fairfield in the County of
of Herkimer & State of New York, do, according to the Act
of the Congress of the United State of America entitled “An
Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land & 
naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war”
make the following declaration under oath that is to
say - I do solemnly declare, that I am a resident Citizen
of the United States to wit in the Town of Fairfield aforesaid, 
and that by reason of my reduced circumstances
in life, I am in need of assistance from my Country
for support. I do further declare that I was an Officer 
in the war of the Revolution, and that I served as such in
the said war of the Revolution against the Common Enemy
from the first day of July one thousand Seven hundred
& Seventy five until the month of January one thousand Seven 
hundred & Seventy seven - That I was appointed 
a Lieutenant in Capt. Williams’ Company in the
Fourteenth Regiment commanded by Col. Hitchcock on
the first day of July 1775 and continued as such until the
twenty sixth day of August 1776 when I received the 
appointment of a captain in the second Regiment of a
Brigade raised by the State of Rhode Island & Providence
Plantations, and taken into in pay of the United States as aforesaid. 
That during all the time that I was in service
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both as a Lieutenant & Captain I was with the Army of the United States in the States of Massachusetts & Rhode Island and in the vicinity of New York. That Christopher Lippit was the Colonel commanding the Regiment to which I belonged whilst having the Commission of a Captain. That I left the service in consequence of the expiration of the term for which I had enlisted the service as will appear by the inspection of the commission hereto annexed. And I do further declare, that I hereby relinquish all claim to every and any pension heretofore allowed me by the Laws of the United States and of any individual State. Witness my hand this 10th day of April 1818
Arthur Fenner

 Sworn to April 10 1818
befre me
David Hold
Judge of Herkimer Comm Pleas

State of New York
Herkimer County ss
Charles Arnold being duly sworn saith that he is well acquainted with Arthur Fenner who has signed the foregoing affidavit. That the said Arthur has no property on which he can depend for support, but relies entirely upon the aid of a pittance of his children. Further the said Arthur is very aged & infirm. That this Deponent fully believes the foregoing Declaration of the said Arthur [illegible] in
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Charles Arnold
[illegible]
Sworn to April 10, 1818 before me David Holt Justice of Hoskinson Comm Pleas

State of New York
Herkimer County

Ss. Be it remembered that on the tenth hday of April 1818 at the Village of Herkimer in the County of Herkimer & State of New York before me David Holt Esquire one of the Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Herkimer in said State duly appointed qualified & sworn the said Court being one of the Courts of Record the said State, personally came and appeared the before named Arthur Fenner & Charles Arnold, the said Charles being [illegible] well his own and the said Arthur being made known to us by the oath of the said Chock and in my presence [illegible] subscribed the foregoing declaration of affidavit and also severally swear oath to the fault of the facts contained in the said declaration of Affidavit. And it appearing to my satisfaction as well from the said declaration under oath as from the testimony produced [illegible] by the said Arthur that the said Applicant served in the Revolutionary War as aforesaid
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against the Common Enemy, and that the Declaration aofresaid under oath of the said applicant is in all other respects true. I do therefore certify I [illegible] the testimony in the case and the proceedings had therein & the Honorable the Secretary of the Department of War according to the inquisitions of the act of Congress in that command. Given under my hand & seal at the Village of Herkimer the day & year first above mentioned in this certificate. David Holt.

State of Hew York Herkimer County Ss. I Walter Fish Clerk of the Court  of Common Please in & for the County of Herkimer in the State of New York, do certify & make known, that David Hold Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the foregoing affidavits & certificates, is one of the Judges of the said court, duly commissioned, qualified & sworn & that the signature to the said Affidavit & certificate are in his own proper hand writing and that the said Court is one of the Courts of Record of the State of New York. Given under my hand & the seal of said Court at Herkimer this tenth day of April one thousand Eight hundred & eighteen. Walter Fish Clerk
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A Fenner

Send Certificate to L Yl Toro Herkimer N. York

Correct Commissions within New York

Correct.
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Arthur Fenner Certificate of Exemplification 

N. 34 

3507 Sent May 1818 [illegible] 12 Oct. 1818 

CON

Hon N. Hawkley 
HN
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Schedule
State of New York Herkimer County Ss. On this 4th day of July 1820 personally appeared in Open Court to Wit, the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County, said Court being by the laws of the State of New York Constituted a Court of Record Arthur aged Seventy Nine years, resident in the Town of Fairfield in said County who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath declare that he served in the revolutionary War as follows [illegible] I was appointed and commissioned Lieutenant on the 10th day of July 1777 at Cranston in the State of Rhode Island & in ten Days thereafter I joined Col. Hitchcock's Regiment in which I served about six months when I was transfered to Col. Lippets Regiment & served one year and was then discharged that the date of My Original Declaration is the 10th day of April 1818 & the number of my pension certificate is 3,567. And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift Sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with Intent thereby to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress entitled an act provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States in the revolutionary War passed on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any other person in trust for me any property or securities Contracts of Debts due to me nor have I any income Other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed & by me Subscribed. I have no real Estate of personal property & no family and that by age & Infirmities & am Wholly unable to Labour & am Wholly Dependant on public Or private Charity for Support If I do not draw a Pension. Arthur Fenner Sworn and Declared on this 5th Day of July 1820 before David Holt a Judge
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of Herkimer County Court of Common Pleas. D Holt 
George Rosencrantz, John J. Prendergast Judges inn State of Newyork Clerks office Herkimer County Ss. I Walter Fish Clerk of the Court of Common pleas in and for the County aforesaid do certify that the foregoing oath and the Schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the Record of the Said Court and I do further Certify that it is the Opinion of the Said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedul is nothing. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Said Court on this 14th day of July 1820. Walter Fish Clerk of the Court in and for the County of Herkimer.
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State of New York Herkimere County SS. Arthur Fenner junior, being duly sworn, saith, that he is the reputed and acknowledged son of Arther Fenner, of the town of Fairfield and county of Herkimer, aforesaid, that the said Arthur Fenner has been a widower for upwards of twenty years last past, and for the period of twinty years has lived in the family of the deponant. That on the fourth day of January 1800, as appears by a note now in the deponants possession there was a settlement of all accounts between the said Arthur and the deponent made at Warwick, Rhode Island, was the then residence of the said Arthur and the deponant, at which time it appeared there was due to the deponent from the said Arthur for labor performed by the deponent for the said Arthur after the deponent became of lawful age, the sum of Three Hundred Dollars, for which sum the said Arthur then and there gave to the deponent his promissory note, being the note before mentioned; That the only payments ever made upon said promissory note was made in the months of February and March, 1800, and amounted to the sum of One Hundred Dollars; that the last payment thus made upon said noted was made in articles of household furniture, principally and amounted to seventy dollars and comprised nearly every article of property then owned by and in possession of the said Arthur, including his beds and bedding. That in the month of February 1803, as this deponent believes, his mother died, and that immediately after her death, his father, the said Arthur
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Fenner, who was then about sixty years of age, came to live with the deponent, and has continued to reside with him, as a member of his family from that time to the present day. That previous to the year 1800 the said Arthur had been reduced in his circumstances by commercial misfortunes, and was then reputed and believed to be insolvent. That for the last thirty years the said Arthur has not owned any real estate as this deponent believes. That in the year 1806 or 1807 the deponent removed from Rhode Island, with his family to the town of Fairfield, where he now resides; that previous to the deponents said removal he invited his father, the said Arthur to come and continue to reside with him, the deponents, which infitation was accepted. but there was neither any agreement nor understanding, nor cause nor obligation, binding the deponent to support his said father during his natural life, nor for any length of time other than the gratuitous offer of the deponent to support him as long as the said Arthur chose to remain and live in the family of the deponent. And the duponent, upon his oath aforesaid, further said, that for the last seven years the said Aurthur Fenner has been altogether unable to earn or provide for his support and that during much of that time, and at one period for about a whole year he was confined by sickness almost entirely to the house; that on his first obtaining his pension money the deponent then stated to him that he was at perfect liberty to retain his money and leave the deponant's family and procure his support with said money elsewhere; but that the said Arthur declined leaving the deponent and has continued with him, as before stated, paying over his
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said pension money from time to time, to the deponent, with the exception of a small amount of the saime, in consideration of his maintenance and of his former indebtedness to the deponent. And further, that their is not now nor has there ever been in the possession or at the control of the deponent, any property of the said Arthur Fenner, by reason of which there does exist or ever has existed any obligation either express or implied, on the part of this deponent, to provide for and maintain the said Arthur Fenenr, other than wheat has arisen from the receipt of the pension money as before maintained. Aurthur Fenner Jr. 
Subscribed & Sworn this 23d dday of April, 1824, before me Daniel Brayton Justice of the Peace.

State of New York, Herkimer County Ss. Arthur Fenner, senior, of this town of Fairfield in said county, being duly sworn, saith - That the foregoing deposition of his son, Arthur Fenner junior, has been examined by and distinctly made to him this deponent - that all the facts therein set forth are sustantially true; and that there has not at any time, to this deponent's knowledge, existed, any bond or obligation
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tion from said Arthur Fenner junior, or from any other person, for the maintenance or support of him the deponent - nor has there ever existed any reasons, by or from a transfer or sale of property, or otherwise, why any such bond or obligation should have been executed or given. nor has this deponent now, nor has he ever had any claims, either in care or equlity upon his said son Arthur, or upon or against any other person whatsoever, for the support or maintenance of him this deponant. That for at least twenty-five years the deponent has been insolvent and unable to satisfy and pay his honest debts. That his original insolvency proceeded from commercial losses, as stated in the foregoing affidavit, and not from or by reason of any gift, sale, transfer or disposition whatsoever of property by this deponent, in any manner whatever. and further saith not. Arthur Fenner
Subscribed & sworn this 23d day of April, 1824 before me Daniel Brayton Justice of the Peace
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State of New York Herkimer County Ss.
Cyrus Potter, of the town of Fairfield, in said County, being duly sworn, saith, that he has been intimately acquainted with the before named deponent, Arthur Fenner, senior, for more than twenty-five years last past, and that with the exception of two or three years he has during the whole of said time lived a near neighbor to said Arthur. that during the years 1798 & 1899, the said Arthur rented and occupied a farm in Cranston, Rhode Island, adjoining a farm this occupied by the deponent. That is was then reported and believed that the said Arthur was insolvent, and unable to satisfy his landlord for the rent of said farm. That his deponent believes that the said Arthur Fenner has not from said time to the present day been the owner or possessor of any property of much value, excepting his pension money. And further, that the reputation of said Arthur for integrity has been unimpeached. and that he has unformly been a man of termperate, correct habits and deportment, and has sustained a very respectable character. Cyrus Potter. 
Subscribed & sworn April 22d, 1824, before me Daniel Brayton Justice of the Peace
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State of New York Herkimer County Ss. Arthur Fenner junior, being duly sworn, saith, that he is informed that a report is in circulation, that he the deponent, some sixteen or seventeen years ago, stated to certain persons that he the deponent had received his father's property, for which he was to support his said father; That the deponent has no recollection of ever having made such a statemtn to any person or persons, and that if he did ever state any such thing to any person it must have been for the purpose of concealing the real situation of his said father, at or about the time when his said father was brought by him from the state of Rhode Island to the State of N. York and with a desire that his respectability and standing in society might not be impaired or the feelings of his connexions injured in consequence of his poverty being generally or publicly known. Arthur Fenner Jr. Sworn & subscribed April 23d 1824 before me Daniel Brayton Justice of the Peace. 

State of New York Herkimer County SS. I Daniel Brayton, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, do certify that I am personally acquainted with the foregoing deponents Aruthur Fenner, and Arthur Fenner jr. and Cyus Potter, and that they are all credible witnesses Dated April 23d, 1824 Daniel Brayton
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State of New York Herkimer County Clerk's Office Ss. I Jabez Fox by my Deputy clerk of the court of common pleas in and for said county of Herkimer do hereby certify that Daniel Brayton Esquire before and by whome the annexed affidavits were taken was a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Herkimer commissioned and sworn and duly autorised by Law in all respects to take such affidavits as a Justice of peace as aforesaid. Given under my hand and seal this twenty third day of April in the year our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty four. Jabez Fox clerk A. osborn D. Clk.
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Herkimer County Ss
State of New York}
Parley Arnold being duly Sworn deposeth
and says that he has herd [heard] Samuel Fenner 
Reputed Son of Arthur Fenner within three
years that his Father let Arthur Fenner Junior have his property and
that he the said Arthur Fenner Junior was to support him during his
life time and that the said Arthur Fenner is in easy circumstances 
and sufficiently able to support him without the aid of
government and farther this deponent saith not.
Parley Arnold
Sworn to this 19th April 1824
before me Alfred Putnam Justice of the peace
State of New York
Herkimer County} Ss
Thomas Fenner Junior being duly sworn
deposeth & saith that he has herd Stephen Fenner 
say within four years that Arthur Fenner Junior 
[illegible] his fathers property and was to support him
during his natural life for it. and this Deponent
further says that Stephen Fenner Married a daughter
of Arthur Fenner the one that has drawn a pension from
government and is a Brother in Law to Arthur Fenner 
Junior and that the said Arthur Fenner Junior is in easy 
circumstances and this deponent further saith not.
Thomas Fenner Jr
Sworn to this 19th day of April
1824 before me
Alfred Putnam Justice of the peace
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State of New York
Herkimer County} Ss Gardner Harris being duly sworn 
deposeth & saith that Arthur Fenner Junior 
Son of Arthur Fenner in the Town of Fairfield & County
aforesaid told this deponent about sixteen or Seventeen
years ago that his Father had let him have his property
and that he was to take care of and support him
through life for it
Gardner Harris
Sworn & Subscribed to one
me the 19th day of April A. D.
1824 Alfred Putnam Justice of the peace
State of New York 
Herkimer County} Caleb Harriss being duly sworn deposeth
and saith that Arthur Fennen Junior Son
of Arthur Fenner in the Town of Fairfield
and County of Herkimer told this deponant
about sixteen years ago that his Farther Arthur Fenner 
had conveyed his property to him and that he Arthur Fenner Junior 
was to support him through life and this deponent further says 
that the said Arthur Fenner Jun. is a good able farmer and in
easy circumstances and is abundantly able to support his
without the aid of government for his support and further this
deponant says not.
Caleb Harris
Sworn & Subscribed to before 
me the 19th day of April 1824
Alfred Putnam Justice of the peace
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Rev. & 1812 Wars Section       MMF OCM
January 8, 1927
Honorable Robert F. Klepinger
111 House Office Building
Washington, D. C.
My dear Mr. Klepinger:
In response to your letter of the 4th instant, I have
the honor to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary
War pension claim S. 43554 it appears that Arthur
Fenner was commissioned at Cranston, Rhode Island, July 1,
1775, Lieutenant of Captain Williams' Company, Colonel
Hitchcock's Fourteenth Rhode Island Regiment, and on August
28, 1776 was commissioned Captain of the Seventh Company,
Colonel Christopher Lippet's Second Rhode Island Regiment
and served until January 1777.
In January 1800 he was living near Warwick, Rhode Island,
and in 1806 or 1807 moved with his son, Arthur, to Fairfield,
Herkimer County, New York. He was allowed pension on his
application executed April 10, 1818 while a resident of said
Fairfield aged seventy-seven years. He died August 23, 1827.
[handwritten in right margin] from 1835 list
[typed letter continues]
Soldier's wife, whose name is not given, died in February
1803. He had a son Samuel, and one Stephen Fenner was his son-
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in-law.  There is no further on file as to his family.
Very truly yours,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
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Suspended-- see saved
within - letters to Hon. John
Herkimer, to Agent, and
pensioner, 8 March 1824
see letter to Parley Arnold 7 
April 1824
Apl. 29. 1823. Suspension
removed & the Honbl. Mr. Herkimer 
H. R. informed of it.
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43554
Revy.  INVALID.
File No. 43,554
Arthur Fenner
Lieut. Rev War
Act: 18th March 18”
Index: -- Vol. G [not sure of letter] Page 168
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 24

May 1/95 Mil. Hist. to Mr. El
Michael R. Minnick
1019 Market St. Phila Pa.
June 13/93 Letter to M. R.
Minnick, 1019 Market St.
Phila, Pa    SS.
1908 July/ 20 Hist.
to Camilla Q . Cristman
27 Jan. 8 Hist. to Hon. R. F. 
Clefinger MMNF
R
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[letterhead] SIXTY - NINTH CONGRESS
ROY G. FITZGERALD, OHIO, CHAIRMAN
CHARLES E. FULLER, ILL.            ALFRED L. BULWINKLE, N. C.
WILLIAM I. SWOOPE, PA.          GEORGE C. PEERY, VA.
WILLIS G. SEARS, NEBR.             LORING M. BLACK, JR., N. Y.
FRANK R. REID, ILL.                     E. E. COX, GA.
CARL G. BACHMANN, W.VA.     CHAUNCEY B. LITTLE, KANS.
FREDERICK W. MAGRADY, PA.
EDWARD VOIGT, WIS.
ROBERT F. KLEPINGER, CLERK
COMMITTEE ON REVISION OF THE LAWS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WASHINGTON, D. C.
Jan. 4, 1927 [handwritten] this letter reached Rev. & 1812 Wars Section Jan. 8
[typed letter]
Hon Winfield Scott
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
Dear General:
Would you kindly inform
me whether there is any record in the Bureau
of Pensions of ARTHUR FENNER who served in
the 2nd Regiment, Hitchcock's Brigade, volunteering
in January 1776? He died in Fairfield,
N. Y. at the age of 87 years, and drew pension
from the government at the rate of $20.00 per
month under the Act of 1818.
I shall appreciate it very
much if I may be advised fully concerning the
above.
Very respectfully,
Robert F. Klepinger
ROBERT F. KLEPINGER
111 House Office Bldg
Washington, D. C.
[stamp] CHIEF'S ROOM
INVALID
JAN 6 -- 1927
DIVISION
U. S. BUREAU OF PENSIONS
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[letterhead] G. S. Lovell. President    E. S. Lovell Vice President.   M. R. Minnich Secretary.   Percy Whitechurch Treasurer.
G. S. Lovell Clock Co.
Manufacturers Agents,
Seth Thomas Clock Co.                The F. Kroeber Clock Co.
Boston Clock Co.                           The Ansonia Clock Co.
E. N. Welch Manufacturing Co.   Waterbury Clock Co.
Baird Clock Co.                                The E. Ingraham Co.
1019 -1021 Market Street,
Philadelphia, [handwritten] Apl. 13th 1895
Gen. Wm. Lochren,
U. S. Pension Commis’r.
Washington, D. C.
Honored Sir;-
Will you be kind enough to
send me a copy of the Record in your department
of Captain Arthur Fenner, (R. I.), Lippitt’s R. I.
State Regiment ‘76 and 1777. And who was
probably a pensioner before 1805.
And if not transgressing too greatly on
your kindness, would like to have a
similar service for Capt. Lawrence Frank
1st Lieut. and Captain 4th Continental Dragoons
until 1782. None of his descendants, (that writer knows)
know anything of him after this date.
Thanking you in advance, permit me to subscribe myself
very Respt.
Michael Reed Minnick
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I certify
that Capt. Arthur Fenner
who was a Pensioner under the
act of March 18th 1818 is reputed
to be about Eighty years of age and to 
have lost his memory in a 
considerable degree in 
consequence of his advanced age.
Nov 25th 1820
A. Hackley Jr.
Member of the House
of Representatives
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Fairfield April 19. 1824
Sir
In the case of Arthur Fenner
the enclosed are directed to you
they are the affidavits of men
of unquestioned veracity you will
see from these papers that there
can be no doubt of the suspension
of payment of the pension. 
The characters of the witnesses
is beyond suspision [suspicion]
Yours
Respectfully
Parley Arnold
Hon. John C Calhoun
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IN CONGRESS.
The DELEGATES of the United Colonies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, 
New-York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, 
Virginia, North-Carolina, and South Carolina to Arthur Fenner Gentleman
We reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, valour, Conduct and fidelity, Do by
these presents constitute and you to be Lieutenant in Capt. Williams's Company
in the 14th Regiment, commanded by Col. Hitchcock
in the army of the United Colonies, raised for the defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every
hostile invasion thereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of 
Lieutenant by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly
and require all officers and soldiers under your command, to be obedient to your orders, as
Lieutenant. And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from
time as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United Colonies, or Committee of
Congress, for that purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the time being of the army of the United
Colonies, or any other your superior officer, according to the rules and discipline of war, in pursuance of the
trust reposed in you. This commission to continue in force until revoked by this or a future Congress.
July 1st 1775
By Order of the Congress.
[signature] John Hancock President 
Attest
Chas. Thomson Secy
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IN CONGRESS.
The DELEGATES of the UNITED COLONIES of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay,
Rhode Island, Connecticut, New-York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of New Castle, Kent,
and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, to
Arthur Fenner Gentleman Greeting.
WE reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity,
by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be Captain of the Seventh Company
in the Second Regiment of the Brigade raised by the State of Rhode Island, and Providence Plantations, 
which has been taken into Continental Pay, and is now part of
in the Army of the United Colonies raised for the defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every
hostile Invasion thereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of Captain of
said Company by doing and performing all Manner of Things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly
charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as
Captain of said Company-- And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions from
Time to Time, as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United Colonies, or Committee
of Congress, for that purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the Time being of the Army of
the United Colonies, or any other your superior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War,
in Pursuance of the Trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue in Force until revoked by this
or a future Congress, Dated the Twenty-sixth day of August A. D. 1776.
By Order of the Congress
John Hancock PRESIDENT.
Attest. Chas. Thomson Secy
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Caveat vs. Arthur Fenner
Mr. John Herkimer Esqr. 
City of Washington
Rep
H. R. E. E.
Parley Arnold
[postmark] LITTLE FALLS N. Y. 
Feb 22 1824
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Fairfield February 20, 1824
Sir I am desirous to learn from your
the way and manner in which
Arthur Fenner of Fairfield in this
State became placed on the pension
List. He during the revolutionary
war belonged to the Rhode Island 
troops and served under the commission
of a Lieutenant.
It is believed by many that he had property
at the time of his being placed on the
pension list and it is alledged from
information derived from his son
that the property of the said Arthur Fenner
was conveyed by him to his son Arthur 
Fenner Jun. and that his son by reason
thereof was obligated to support his Father
during his lifetime. Under strong impression
that he ought not to enjoy the pension
the enquiry is made for if he is not
entitled he ought not to
Page 33

receive the money from the
government, and there is no means
to ascertain the whole truth, but
by going to head quarters.
Probability is Sir you are not
acquainted with me, but I can
inform you that I am the Son of
Nathan Arnold of Fairfield
and refer you to the Charles Arnold
of Fairfield Stephen Hallet 
Jabez Fox and others if necessary.
Yours Respectfully
John Hoskimer
Parley Ann
line to give information to James Fox or
my self as soon as convenient
John Herkimer
Parley Arnold
Please to give information to Jabez Fox or myself as soon as convenient.
Parley Arnold
John Herkimer
Page 34

Herkimer, March 8, 1824
Dr. Sir,
You will oblige some of your constituents and
friends by attending to the subject of the enclosed letter. I
enclose it to you unsealed, that you may read it before 
you seal & deliver it, because it will save in writing.
Lieut. Fenner is a worthy patriot, 83 years old and
Had it not been for his pension his son would have been 
compelled to maintain him without any earthly 
compensation. For a year at a time, since the pension was
granted the old gentlemen has been so sick, feeble and
tiresome, that I have frequently remarked that the whole 
amount of his pension would not more than reasonably 
compensate for his support. It may be that you have 
been written to upon the subject; and if so, you know
what has been alledged to prevent the payment of the
pension. If you have I see no reason why any communication 
affecting him should be private-- and his son 
desires to know what he has to meet. We can prove 
his fathers poverty from  20 to 30 years past by reputable 
witnesses. His mother died over 20 years ago, and this old 
gentleman has lived with him from about that time. 
It has been hinted that the Captain (as the old Lieut. 
is called, for he was commander of a company at the close of
the war) transferred his property to his son. So far from that
being the case, I understand it was nearly exhausted
during the life of the mother, and that the father actually
owes the son to this day for labor previously performed by 
him. When the Capt. broke up housekeeping he was
insolvent and the [illegible] of his property which the son 
received was not worth with half enough to pay the debt for the
son’s labor. And since that time the father has lived with
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The son, working a little or not, as ability and inclination
dictated as other old men of 60 to 80 would. Being a 
temperate man, the Capt. probably busied himself in what 
the [illegible] call choring, when he was able, and that it 
has been the most of his labor for many years before he
was confined as he has been for a long time to the house
& premises of his son.
I do not know exactly what the rules of the
office require and, if there has been no formal 
complaint, other than plying stories, I should suppose Mr. 
Calhoun, when he recollects that the Capt. has appeared
in court and complied with the act of 1820 (I think) 
would immediately order the payment continued on
receiving my letter, if you vouch it, as I flatter myself
you would feel yourself justified in so doing.
If this can be consistently done, it will the same
relieve the old gentleman's mind, as he is now in his
dotage, and the affair troubles him, as well as his friends. 
But if affidavits must be sent, please request Mr. 
Edwards to give immediate notice. 
Your friends here are I believe all well-- at least
they are well by the ears on the Electoral question, as you
see by the papers. Frankfurt had a meeting last week, 
Esq. Lofts in the chair, disapproving the signature of the bill
by the Senate, &c. and other towns are expected to follow.
I am told Mr. Griffing will not publish your
declension to support Mr. Crawford, “although thereunto
the requested”, as the lawyers say.
Please give my compliments to my old friend Noyes
Barber, I was vexed at the slander of the N. Y. Patriots - 
For I knew Barber as a republican the last century and from
that him down.
Yours Respectfully
David Holt
Hon. J. Herkimer
Page 36

Herkimer, N.J. March 30, 1824
Sir,
I write at the request of Arthur Fenner, Jun. 
whose father Lieut. Arthur Fenner of this county has
recently been informed, unofficially that the payment
of his pension is suspended. It is stated that some
representation has been made to your department
that Mr. Fenner is not in such indigent circumstances 
as to bring him within the acts of Congress
and that proof of his indigence is required.
If it be necessary, there will be no difficulty (excepting 
the trouble) in proving that Mr. F. has been extremely
poor, as well as very infirm for many years- and that
until he received his pension he was entirely dependent
upon his son for support. He is now more than 80
years old, and for several years has not been able to
earn anything, and for the most part, since his 
pension was granted him he has not been able even
to ride abroad, and the officers have visited him at his
son’s house to take his affidavit, &c. I have been
there repeatedly for that purpose, and have known 
his situation for years. From the year 1810 I have
also known him, as a member of his son’s family &
apparently entirely destitute of property. I am informed,
and I have no doubt of the correctness of the information, 
that for the last 20 years the old gentleman has not at
any time had $20 worth of property until the receipt of his
pension money and I suspect that the only reason
why any notice has been sent to the department is, that
some (probably family connexions) are dissatisfied because
Mr. Fenner, junior, now receive payment for that support
Page 37

which he formerly afforded his father gratuitously. 
If any man, from his former services, his 
infirmities, his age and personal wants, is entitled to the
provision made by government for his support, I do not
hesitate to say, from my personal knowledge on
the subject, that Mr. Fenner is the man. However
if you have received such information of a different
complexion, and in such a shape, as renders affidavits
necessary, by sending information to me, such affidavits
will be procured and transmitted to you. 
Mr. Fenner requests, if it can consistently be done,
that copies of the documents on which the suspension
took place, may be sent to me.
In either case, whether payment is ordered, or
whether legal proof be required, Mr. Edwards will please
direct to me and in the latter case informing whether
there be any particular point to be met or explained,
other than indigent circumstances generally.
I am, Sir, Respectfully
your obt Servant
David Holt
J. C. Calhoun Esq.
Page 38

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau: Arthur Fenner L. F. 45554
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. | STATE.
July 1 1776 | Aug. 26 1776 | Lieut | Williams | Hitchcock | 14 R. I.
Aug. 26 1776 | Jany 1777 | Capt of 7th Co. | | Christopher Lippit | 20 R. I.
Battles engaged in, [checkmark]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Commissioned at Cranston R. I.
Date of application for pension, Apr. 10 1818 His cl. was ad.
Residence at date of application, Fairfield Herkimer Co. N. Y.  
Age at date of application, 77 yrs.
Remarks: Soldiers wife, name not stated died about Feby. 1803
children referred to, no names other than Arthur Jr. [added later] son Samuel
Steph Fenner son in law
Page 39

Herkimer, N. Y., July 10, 1908.
Pension Department,
Record Division,
Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:-
I should like to inquire of your
department as to the military record of John
Wood of Fairfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y., a
Revolutionary soldier, who served in the
Connecticut militia, as a private; also
Lieutenant Arthur Fenner of the Rhode Island
line, who also resided at Fairfield, N. Y.
Thanking you for the above, I am
Very truly yours,
Camilla L. Cristman
[stamp] U. S. PENSION OFFICE H JUL 13 1908