He married DOROTHY FARRAR (Source: "Genealogy of the Fenton Family; Descendants of Robert Fenton" by Wiliam Weaver.) 27 Feb 1687/88 in Woburn, Massachussetts. She was born Abt. 1665, and died Unknown.
Robert (and probably wife Dorothy) first appear in the Colonial records on the tax rolls of Woburn, Massachussetts where they were assessed 2s 6d. It appears that Robert originally immigrated as a "bonded emmigrant", having been "reprieved for transport to America by the Midland Circuit Court aboard the ship Warwickshire on July 17, 1682. Robert and Dorothy must have lived in Wobourn until at least 1691, for they were taxed in each of the years through that time. They moved to Windham, Connecticut and were received there on 30 May 1693. They lived in the area that was to become Mansfield; Robert was an original patentee of that town when it was carved out of Windham on 20 October 1703. In December of 1694, Robert and Joshua Ripley were hired to lay out lots on the west side of the river and Robert was appointed "fence viewer" for the north end of town. He built the first bridge across the Natchez River, the contract for which is dated 13 June 1695 and requires that it be "sutable for man and hors to pass with a lode ... the sd ffenton also ingaged to maintain the bridge three years". For this service they were paid "four pounds in money". On 16 September 1696, Robert bought 1000 acres in Windham, lying at the Ponds. This land was purchased from James Elderkin of Norwich. In an inventory dated 28 December 1702, he listed his real estate holdings as: "Housing, home lot with apple trees and fences - 40£; 1st land division - 6£; pasture lot - 4£; 10 acre lot with 8 1//2 acres of meadow and fence - 25£; 100 acre lot - 10£; all land yet to be layed out - 10£". Other notations in the official record as it applies to Robert FENTON include a 1707 entry where he is referred to as "Proprietor of Mansfield"; in late 1710, Ebenezer and Abigail, "children of Robert and Dorothy Fenton", were the first baptisms listed in the First Church of Mansfield; he sold some land in 1712. He is not listed on the 1730 List of freemen and biographers assumed that he was "living with a son in Willington and that he died at an advanced age." Sources: A Genealogy of the Fenton Family: descendants of Robert Fenton ..,
William L. Weaver - 1867; Vital records of Mansfield Connecticut, Research of Merril B. Fenton; Research of Dave Wells.
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 cireumstances. They generally owned 1,000 acres of land each, for which they paid about ten pounds. As settiers 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 less 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.
ROBERT FENTON, by wife Dorothy, had the following children: Robert, b. at Woburn, Oct. 6, 1688, of whom we have no further account; (2) Francis, b. at Woburn, July 22, 1690; (3) Samuel, the place and date of his birth not found, but in the Mansfield records he is called the son of Robert and Dorothy Fenton. The following are recorded in Windham and Mansfield: Bridget, b. Aug. 14, 1695; (4) Jacob, b. April 5, 1698; Doritty (Dorothy), b. Sept. 4, 1700, m. Samuel Slafter, and had a family; Anne, b. July 7, 1703, m. John Rigbe; Violata, b. Aug. 20, 1706, m. John Harris, Dec. 7, 1730, and had children; (5) Ebenezer, b. Aug. 29, 1710; Abigail, twin of Ebenezer, b. Aug. 29, 1710. An Abigail Fenton m. Abraham Snow, of Lebanon, in 1740; and had children,--perhaps, this one.
Robert (and probably wife Dorothy) first appear in the Colonial records on the tax rolls of Woburn, Massachussetts where they were assessed 2s 6d. It appears that Robert originally immigrated as a "bonded emmigrant", having been "reprieved for transport to America by the Midland Circuit Court aboard the ship Warwickshire on July 17, 1682. Robert and Dorothy must have lived in Wobourn until at least 1691, for they were taxed in each of the years through that time. They moved to Windham, Connecticut and were received there on 30 May 1693. They lived in the area that was to become Mansfield; Robert was an original patentee of that town when it was carved out of Windham on 20 October 1703. In December of 1694, Robert and Joshua Ripley were hired to lay out lots on the west side of the river and Robert was appointed "fence viewer" for the north end of town. He built the first bridge across the Natchez River, the contract for which is dated 13 June 1695 and requires that it be "sutable for man and hors to pass with a lode ... the sd ffenton also ingaged to maintain the bridge three years". For this service they were paid "four pounds in money". On 16 September 1696, Robert bought 1000 acres in Windham, lying at the Ponds. This land was purchased from James Elderkin of Norwich. In an inventory dated 28 December 1702, he listed his real estate holdings as: "Housing, home lot with apple trees and fences - 40£; 1st land division - 6£; pasture lot - 4£; 10 acre lot with 8 1//2 acres of meadow and fence - 25£; 100 acre lot - 10£; all land yet to be layed out - 10£". Other notations in the official record as it applies to Robert FENTON include a 1707 entry where he is referred to as "Proprietor of Mansfield"; in late 1710, Ebenezer and Abigail, "children of Robert and Dorothy Fenton", were the first baptisms listed in the First Church of Mansfield; he sold some land in 1712. He is not listed on the 1730 List of freemen and biographers assumed that he was "living with a son in Willington and that he died at an advanced age." Sources: A Genealogy of the Fenton Family: descendants of Robert Fenton ..,
William L. Weaver - 1867; Vital records of Mansfield Connecticut, Research of Merril B. Fenton; Research of Dave Wells.
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 cireumstances. They generally owned 1,000 acres of land each, for which they paid about ten pounds. As settiers 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 less 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.
ROBERT FENTON, by wife Dorothy, had the following children: Robert, b. at Woburn, Oct. 6, 1688, of whom we have no further account; (2) Francis, b. at Woburn, July 22, 1690; (3) Samuel, the place and date of his birth not found, but in the Mansfield records he is called the son of Robert and Dorothy Fenton. The following are recorded in Windham and Mansfield: Bridget, b. Aug. 14, 1695; (4) Jacob, b. April 5, 1698; Doritty (Dorothy), b. Sept. 4, 1700, m. Samuel Slafter, and had a family; Anne, b. July 7, 1703, m. John Rigbe; Violata, b. Aug. 20, 1706, m. John Harris, Dec. 7, 1730, and had children; (5) Ebenezer, b. Aug. 29, 1710; Abigail, twin of Ebenezer, b. Aug. 29, 1710. An Abigail Fenton m. Abraham Snow, of Lebanon, in 1740; and had children,--perhaps, this one.
He married DOROTHY FARRAR (Source: "Genealogy of the Fenton Family; Descendants of Robert Fenton" by Wiliam Weaver.) 27 Feb 1687/88 in Woburn, Massachussetts. She was born Abt. 1665, and died Unknown.
Robert (and probably wife Dorothy) first appear in the Colonial records on the tax rolls of Woburn, Massachussetts where they were assessed 2s 6d. It appears that Robert originally immigrated as a "bonded emmigrant", having been "reprieved for transport to America by the Midland Circuit Court aboard the ship Warwickshire on July 17, 1682. Robert and Dorothy must have lived in Wobourn until at least 1691, for they were taxed in each of the years through that time. They moved to Windham, Connecticut and were received there on 30 May 1693. They lived in the area that was to become Mansfield; Robert was an original patentee of that town when it was carved out of Windham on 20 October 1703. In December of 1694, Robert and Joshua Ripley were hired to lay out lots on the west side of the river and Robert was appointed "fence viewer" for the north end of town. He built the first bridge across the Natchez River, the contract for which is dated 13 June 1695 and requires that it be "sutable for man and hors to pass with a lode ... the sd ffenton also ingaged to maintain the bridge three years". For this service they were paid "four pounds in money". On 16 September 1696, Robert bought 1000 acres in Windham, lying at the Ponds. This land was purchased from James Elderkin of Norwich. In an inventory dated 28 December 1702, he listed his real estate holdings as: "Housing, home lot with apple trees and fences - 40£; 1st land division - 6£; pasture lot - 4£; 10 acre lot with 8 1//2 acres of meadow and fence - 25£; 100 acre lot - 10£; all land yet to be layed out - 10£". Other notations in the official record as it applies to Robert FENTON include a 1707 entry where he is referred to as "Proprietor of Mansfield"; in late 1710, Ebenezer and Abigail, "children of Robert and Dorothy Fenton", were the first baptisms listed in the First Church of Mansfield; he sold some land in 1712. He is not listed on the 1730 List of freemen and biographers assumed that he was "living with a son in Willington and that he died at an advanced age." Sources: A Genealogy of the Fenton Family: descendants of Robert Fenton ..,
William L. Weaver - 1867; Vital records of Mansfield Connecticut, Research of Merril B. Fenton; Research of Dave Wells.
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 cireumstances. They generally owned 1,000 acres of land each, for which they paid about ten pounds. As settiers 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 less 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.
ROBERT FENTON, by wife Dorothy, had the following children: Robert, b. at Woburn, Oct. 6, 1688, of whom we have no further account; (2) Francis, b. at Woburn, July 22, 1690; (3) Samuel, the place and date of his birth not found, but in the Mansfield records he is called the son of Robert and Dorothy Fenton. The following are recorded in Windham and Mansfield: Bridget, b. Aug. 14, 1695; (4) Jacob, b. April 5, 1698; Doritty (Dorothy), b. Sept. 4, 1700, m. Samuel Slafter, and had a family; Anne, b. July 7, 1703, m. John Rigbe; Violata, b. Aug. 20, 1706, m. John Harris, Dec. 7, 1730, and had children; (5) Ebenezer, b. Aug. 29, 1710; Abigail, twin of Ebenezer, b. Aug. 29, 1710. An Abigail Fenton m. Abraham Snow, of Lebanon, in 1740; and had children,--perhaps, this one.
Robert (and probably wife Dorothy) first appear in the Colonial records on the tax rolls of Woburn, Massachussetts where they were assessed 2s 6d. It appears that Robert originally immigrated as a "bonded emmigrant", having been "reprieved for transport to America by the Midland Circuit Court aboard the ship Warwickshire on July 17, 1682. Robert and Dorothy must have lived in Wobourn until at least 1691, for they were taxed in each of the years through that time. They moved to Windham, Connecticut and were received there on 30 May 1693. They lived in the area that was to become Mansfield; Robert was an original patentee of that town when it was carved out of Windham on 20 October 1703. In December of 1694, Robert and Joshua Ripley were hired to lay out lots on the west side of the river and Robert was appointed "fence viewer" for the north end of town. He built the first bridge across the Natchez River, the contract for which is dated 13 June 1695 and requires that it be "sutable for man and hors to pass with a lode ... the sd ffenton also ingaged to maintain the bridge three years". For this service they were paid "four pounds in money". On 16 September 1696, Robert bought 1000 acres in Windham, lying at the Ponds. This land was purchased from James Elderkin of Norwich. In an inventory dated 28 December 1702, he listed his real estate holdings as: "Housing, home lot with apple trees and fences - 40£; 1st land division - 6£; pasture lot - 4£; 10 acre lot with 8 1//2 acres of meadow and fence - 25£; 100 acre lot - 10£; all land yet to be layed out - 10£". Other notations in the official record as it applies to Robert FENTON include a 1707 entry where he is referred to as "Proprietor of Mansfield"; in late 1710, Ebenezer and Abigail, "children of Robert and Dorothy Fenton", were the first baptisms listed in the First Church of Mansfield; he sold some land in 1712. He is not listed on the 1730 List of freemen and biographers assumed that he was "living with a son in Willington and that he died at an advanced age." Sources: A Genealogy of the Fenton Family: descendants of Robert Fenton ..,
William L. Weaver - 1867; Vital records of Mansfield Connecticut, Research of Merril B. Fenton; Research of Dave Wells.
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 cireumstances. They generally owned 1,000 acres of land each, for which they paid about ten pounds. As settiers 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 less 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.
ROBERT FENTON, by wife Dorothy, had the following children: Robert, b. at Woburn, Oct. 6, 1688, of whom we have no further account; (2) Francis, b. at Woburn, July 22, 1690; (3) Samuel, the place and date of his birth not found, but in the Mansfield records he is called the son of Robert and Dorothy Fenton. The following are recorded in Windham and Mansfield: Bridget, b. Aug. 14, 1695; (4) Jacob, b. April 5, 1698; Doritty (Dorothy), b. Sept. 4, 1700, m. Samuel Slafter, and had a family; Anne, b. July 7, 1703, m. John Rigbe; Violata, b. Aug. 20, 1706, m. John Harris, Dec. 7, 1730, and had children; (5) Ebenezer, b. Aug. 29, 1710; Abigail, twin of Ebenezer, b. Aug. 29, 1710. An Abigail Fenton m. Abraham Snow, of Lebanon, in 1740; and had children,--perhaps, this one.
