Robert Fenton (b. Abt. 1660, d. December 03, 1741)
Robert Fenton was born Abt. 1660 in Mansfield, Tolland County, CT, and died December 03, 1741 in Willington, Conn. or Manfield, Tolland County, MA. He married Dorothy Farrar on February 27, 1687/88 in Ashford, Ct or Middlesex County, MA, daughter of John Farrar and Johanna.
Notes for Robert Fenton: 1. ROBERT FENTON was born Abt. 1660 in Mansfield, Tolland County, CT, and died December 03, 1741 in Willington, Conn. or Manfield, Tolland County, MA. He married DOROTHY FARRAR February 27, 1687/88 in Woburn, Middlesex County, MA, daughter of JOHN FARRAR and JOHANNA. She was born Abt. 1665 in Woburn, Middlesex County, MA.
Notes for ROBERT FENTON: Robert Fenton - The Common Ancestor Of The Connecticut Fentons
"Perhaps the first man by the name of Fenton who ever visited the present territory of the United States," says Judge E.T. Foote, of New Haven, "was Captain Edward Fenton, of the British Navy, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, who under the command of Sir Martin Frobisher, was a noted captain in an exploring expedition which visited St. Augustine, Flo. in 1585."
Robert Fenton, who is first heard of at Woburn, Mass., in 1688 was the common ancestor of the Connecticut Fentons. We can learn nothing in regard to his parentage, birthplace, or nationality. The records at Woburn shed no light on the subject; and we can find no trace of him elsewhere, previous to his appearance in that town. Neither can we find any early Fentons in New England, except Robert; and we are inclined to think all who bear the name in this country, except immigrants of a later period, are descended from him. There is an old tradition in one branch of the Mansfield family, that Robert Fenton was a native of Wales. But very little reliance, however, can be placed on such traditions, as we have found in the course of our investigations; though we think it not improbable that this Robert Fenton was born in Great Britian, or that he was a Welchman. The Records of Robert Fenton, at Woburn, are very meagre. He remained in the town but a few years, and it does not appear that he was a real estate owner there. In 1687, he is not on the tax list in that town; but in August, 1688, he is taxed 2s.6d.,-perhaps a personal tax. He was also a tax-payer, in Woburn, in 1688,1689, 1690, and 1691; but the amounts we have not. The early Church records of Woburn are lost.
At precisely what time Robert Fenton came to Windham [Conn.], we have not been able to ascertain. Between May 30, 1693, and April 19, 1694, he was received as an inhabitant of the town, the exact date not being given. He evidently located in what was then called the "north end" of the town, being that part of Ancient Windham which became Mansfield, where he was appointed, with Joshua Ripley, the first town-clerk and magistrate of Windham, to lay out the lots on the west side of the river, that belonged to Willimantic. At the same meeting he was chosen "Fence viewer," for the north end of town,- an office sometimes held by the wealthiest planters; at one time by Cates, the first settler. At another time he was appointed, with Mr. Ripley, to oversee those who were selected to lay out sundry lots. He, however, took but little part in town affairs. Robert Fenton built the first bridge across the Natchaug River, according to the following record: - "June 13, 1695, Robert Fenton engaged to the Towne to build & make a sufficient bridge over the Notchoge falls, suitable for man and hors to pass with a lode, the bridge to be made by the first of October next; the SD Fenton also engaged to maintain the bridge three years." - For this he was to have "four pounds in money." We judge from this, that he was a mechanic; probably a carpenter. Robert Fenton bought of James Elderkin, of Norwich, the second lot of 1,000 acres, lying at the "Ponds," Sept. 16, 1696. The "home lots" of these 1,000 acre rights, into which the town was divided, were generally twenty rods on the front. This lot was near what is now known as the "Town Pond," at Mansfield Center. Dec.28, 1702, Robert Fenton's property was prized as follows: The housing, home lot, with apple trees and fences thereupon, forty pounds in money; the first division of land, six pounds in money; the pasture lot, four pounds in money; the ten acre lot, with eight acres and a half of meadow and the fence thereupon, twenty-five pounds in money; the hundred acre lot, ten pounds in money; and all the land, yet to be layed out, belonging to a thousand acre right, ten pounds in money. The whole amounted to ninety-five pounds.
Robert Fenton was one of the patentees of the town of Mansfield, which was set off from Windham, and made a town, Oct.20, 1703. His name appears sixth on the list. He was called one of the proprietors of Mansfield, in 1707; and was living there in 1712, when he sold land to different persons. Between the latter date and 1730, he probably left Mansfield,- as his name is not on the list of freeman, made out in the latter year; and settled in the then new town of Willington, where, says the late Rev. Moses C. Welch, in his Century Sermon, he died at the house of his son, at an advanced age.
The name of Robert Fenton does not appear as a member of either the Windham or Mansfield Church; but Dorothy, his wife, generally written "Dorritty" in the records, was a member of both. We think it probable she was an original member of the Windham Church (the early records are gone), from which she was transferred to the South Mansfield Church, on its organization in 1710. The date of the death of Robert Fenton and his Wife, and their ages at the time, have not been ascertained. The records of neither Mansfield nor Willington give any information on the subject; and no stones have been found to mark their last resting place. The above cited testimony of Mr. Welch is all the positive information that we have on the subject.
With regard to the character and position of Robert Fenton, there is not much in the records on which to base an opinion. Still, there is sufficient to indicate that he enjoyed the confidence and respect of the early settlers of the town. Most of the planters were in moderate circumstances. They generally owned 1,000 acres of land each, for which they paid about ten pounds. As settlers increased, and the original proprietors were enabled to sell their surplus land, which rapidly increased in value, their means increased, and some of them became quite wealthy.
Perhaps a word may be said here in regard to the descendants of Robert Fenton, particularly those families that remained in Mansfield and Willington. They have "occupied the middle walks of life, being mostly farmers and mechanics; and, as a general thing, having generally neither riches nor poverty." We have found, in our genealogical investigations, each family characterized by some peculiar traits, which to a greater or lesser degree, extended through all the generations of such family. The Fentons are no exception to this rule. Some of their traits have been mechanical ingenuity, skill in music, courage and patriotism, good sense and especially a pleasant, genial disposition. Their kindness and cordiality as friends and neighbors, and their good humor, have been proverbial. ---------- The above information was taken from Reference 2.
note: above information taken from FTM Vol. 8 Tree # 3561
Descendants of Robert Fenton
6. ABIGAIL2 FENTON (ROBERT1) was born August 29, 1710 in Mansfield,Tolland County, CT, and died September 21, 1802 in Lebanon, Tolland County, CT. She married ABRAHAM SNOW May 08, 1729 in Mansfield, Tolland County, CT. He was born 1708 in Mansfield, Tolland County, CT, and died Aft. 1790 in Lebanon, Tolland County, CT.
More About ABIGAIL FENTON: Christening: October 22, 1710, Mansfield, Tolland County, CT
Children of ABIGAIL FENTON and ABRAHAM SNOW are: i. ABRAHAM3 SNOW, b. September 04, 1730, Mansfield, Tolland County, CT. ii. ROBERT SNOW, b. December 19, 1732, Mansfield, Tolland County, CT. iii. EBENEZER SNOW, b. January 11, 1733/34, Mansfield, Tolland County, CT. iv. ANN SNOW, b. April 04, 1738, Mansfield, Tolland County, CT. 12. v. FRANCIS SNOW, b. February 11, 1741/42, Lebanon, Tolland County, CT; d. September 26, 1795, Lebanon, Tolland County, CT.
7. EBENEZER2 FENTON (ROBERT1) was born August 29, 1710 in Mansfield, Tolland County, CT, and died Aft. 1786. He married (1) LYDIA CONANT. He married (2) MAHITABLE TUTTLE February 11, 1740/41, daughter of JONATHAN TUTTLE and SARAH BURREL(L). She was born Abt. 1720 in Rumney Marsh, N. Chelsea, MA, and died 1760 in Mansfield, Tolland County, CT.
Notes for EBENEZER FENTON: Children (by 1st wife):
1. Jonathon b. 17 May 1741 m. widow Mary CARY; Service in Capt John Shumway's Co 3 Apr 1779 - 2. Ebenezer b. 15 Apr 1743 m. (1) 25 Dec 1766 Sarah DUNHAM (2) Rebeckah JOHNSON; Service in 1st Reg CT Militia - 3. Sarah b. 16 Feb 1744 - 5 - 4. Nathan b. 9 Feb 1746-7 - 5. Solomon b. 23 Jun 1749 m. 19 Aug 1772 Sibbel SNOW; d. Chenango Co.; 7 yrs in Rev - 1st lieut in 2nd Reg 1779 - 6. Lydia b. 26 May 1753 m. Jacob BARROWS - 7. Elijah b. 8 Aug 1754 m. 22 Nov 1774 Ruby ANDERSON d. 17 Apr 1790
Notes for MAHITABLE TUTTLE: Found in GenDex Sept 21 1998 Author / Submitter 10406 individuals, 5463 families from file HANSEN.GED ( Jul 1998)
More About Robert Fenton and Dorothy Farrar: Marriage: February 27, 1687/88, Ashford, Ct or Middlesex County, MA.
Children of Robert Fenton and Dorothy Farrar are:
+Abigail Fenton, b. August 29, 1710, Mansfield, Tolland County, CT, d. September 21, 1802, Lebanon, Tolland County, CT.
Robert Fenton, Jr, b. October 06, 1688, Woburn, Middlesex County, MA.
Francis Fenton, b. July 22, 1690, Middlesex Co., MA, d. January 25, 1781, Willington, Tolland County, CT.
Samuel Fenton, b. Abt. 1692, Windham, Tolland County, CT.
Bridget Fenton, b. August 14, 1695, Windham, Windham County, CT, d. June 15, 1744.
Jacob Fenton, b. April 05, 1698, Windham, Windham County, CT, d. July 15, 1763, Norwich, Windor County, VT.
Doritty Fenton, b. September 04, 1700, Mansfield, Tolland County, CT, d. September 29, 1783, Mansfield, Tolland County, CT.
Ann Fenton, b. July 07, 1703, Mansfield, Tolland County, CT.
Violata Fenton, b. August 02, 1703, Windham, Tolland County, CT.
+Ebenezer Fenton, b. August 29, 1710, Mansfield, Tolland County, CT, d. Aft. 1786.
Robert Fenton (b. Abt. 1660, d. December 03, 1741)
Notes for Robert Fenton: