Arthur Fenner

**Arthur Fenner** was born to a prominent family in Providence, Rhode Island in 1745, he was the eleventh child of twelve siblings. In 1764 he would attend Brown University, and would go back to his plantation family, and would marry Amey Cornstock. Arthur would join when the Revolution broke out, fighting in several battles as a lieutenant. In 1784 Fenner would be elected Senator of Rhode Island, a prestigious role for an eleventh child, and would be elected Governor of Rhode Island just 2 years later in 1787. Fenner would be appointed as Secretary of War under President Morris, a job he was given following Berkman's resignation to become Vice President, Fenner would serve through the War of 1789 in this position. Following the War of 1789 he'd be promoted to Colonel, where he would remain until the Green Mountain-Candian War, where he would be promoted to Brigadier General and be appointed Secretary of War again by President Berkman.

## War Service

### Revolutionary War

In 1774 at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, Fenner would join the Rhode Island Militia, fighting in several local battles. After the Siege of Boston, little action would come Fenner's way.

### Six Nations War

During the Six Nations War, Fenner would be the leader of the charge, quickly moving to establish a base of operations in Laurenceville, Pennsylvania. Cpt. Fenner would soon find himself in trouble at the Raid of Laurenceville. Fenner would fight bravely with his men to buy time for the townsfolk, but he was heavily injured, and his men nearly all wiped out. Just 3 Republic troops, Fenner included, survived the attack, but many of the civilians were able to escape unharmed. Fenner would remain injured for the rest of the fighting.

### War of 1789

Though Secretary of War during the War of 1789, Fenner would sit this war mostly out. Fenner believed that infighting between the former colonies would only harm their position in the world overall. Fenner would agree with Gen. Berkman though, and work to have as few casualties as possible, reportingly raging at Gov. Erler when he invaded Norfolk without orders.

### Green Mountain-Canadian War

After the Benckendorf-Martial Scandal, Col. Fenner would raise a volunteer army of 8.5 thousand men. Fenner would work with Gov. Erler to defend Maine during the unofficial days of the war. After war was declared Fenner would stay defensive, but after Brig. Gen. Benckendorf attacked Quebec, Fenner would march his troops north to help the attack, pushing into gear the assault, and crushing the enemy forces.

Later in the war, Fenner would gather all Republic troops in Halifax, where they would sail north for the Battle of St. John's. In a strategy arranged by Fenner, the navy would attack the British, buying time for transport ships to land. After they made it to land, Pres. Berkman would ambush the British with canons, and rush them, forcing them back to a defensive position. After brainstorming, Fenner would organize a hammer and anvil strategy. Fenner, Berkman, and Davenport would all push the enemy line, while Hamilton rushed in from behind and hit their flank. After Berkman ordered a lighting of a fire on the enemies supply units, the British munitions would explode, killing most British officers and forcing a retreat by sea.

## Senate

In 1784 Arthur Fenner would be elected to the Senate of the Republic representing Rhode Island. Fenner would quickly get to work, penning the Bill of Rights, which 8 of the 10 passed immediately, the other 2 would be passed in different forms in the coming years.

Fenner would also be the Senator to bring the Declaration of the Six Nations War to the floor.

In 1795 during the Green Mountain-Canadian War, Fenner would write the Naval Act of 1795.

## Governorship

As Governor, Fenner was relatively inactive, thinking the government should interfere as little as possible in the life of the citizens. But during the Green Mountain-Canadian War, Fenner would draft a large sum of the population to man Rhode Island forts, later releasing them following the wars end. Fenner would also be there to ratify most amendments that passed the congress.

## Personal Life

Arthur Fenner was born to a prominent family in Providence, Rhode Island in 1745, he was the eleventh child of twelve siblings. In 1764 he would attend Brown University, and would go back to his plantation family, and would marry Amey Cornstock. In 1766, his first child would be born, Arthur Fenner Jr., who would go on to join the military as a fifer, and would marry at a relatively young age. Three years later in 1769, Fenner's second child would be born, Amy Fenner. In January of 1771, James Fenner would be born to the family. In mid 1772 the Fenner family would see tragedy, as their 3 year old Amy died. A year later Joseph Fenner would be born to the family in 1773. And finally, Sally Fenner would be born in 1778. Fenner would take his first public office in 1784, and would become busy in his daily life, but tragedy was always a knock away, as while campaigning in 1794 to be reelected to the Governorship, Fenner's daughter Sally would die at the age of 16. Two years later the youngest son, Joseph Fenner would die in the Battle for Quebec at age 23, fighting alongside his dad.