Rhode Island Governor. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, he became a prosperous merchant. During the American Revolution, he served as a captain in the Rhode Island state troops in 1776. He was a clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in Providence for many years and was the political party chief in Providence. In 1790, he was elected as a Country Party candidate the 4th Governor of Rhode Island, serving until his death in 1805, at age 59. A popular Governor, during his administration, Rhode Island, although an independent and isolationist state, ratified the U.S. Constitution and was the last of the original thirteen states to do so. Also the Providence Society for the Promotion of the Abolition of Slavery was chartered and an act establishing the method of electing Rhode Island's U.S. representatives and senators was passed. In addition, the state legislature moved to convert from British to American currency and adopted a resolution objecting to a direct government tax. He has the seventh longest gubernatorial tenure in post-Constitutional U.S. history, to serve as a Governor. U.S. Senator and Rhode Island Governor James Fenner, was his son.
Rhode Island Governor. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, he became a prosperous merchant. During the American Revolution, he served as a captain in the Rhode Island state troops in 1776. He was a clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in Providence for many years and was the political party chief in Providence. In 1790, he was elected as a Country Party candidate the 4th Governor of Rhode Island, serving until his death in 1805, at age 59. A popular Governor, during his administration, Rhode Island, although an independent and isolationist state, ratified the U.S. Constitution and was the last of the original thirteen states to do so. Also the Providence Society for the Promotion of the Abolition of Slavery was chartered and an act establishing the method of electing Rhode Island's U.S. representatives and senators was passed. In addition, the state legislature moved to convert from British to American currency and adopted a resolution objecting to a direct government tax. He has the seventh longest gubernatorial tenure in post-Constitutional U.S. history, to serve as a Governor. U.S. Senator and Rhode Island Governor James Fenner, was his son.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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