Honorable Benjamin Fenn

M, b. circa 1612, d. before 14 November 1672
     Benjamin was born circa 1612 in Buckinghamshire, England.1 He probably came to this country in 1630, on the ship "Mary and John", at the same time with Governor Winthrop. He was at Dorchester in 1638 before removing to Milford. He was assistant Governor from 1665 to 1672.2 Benjamin married Sarah Baldwin, daughter of Sylvester Baldwin and Sarah (?), in 1638 in Milford, New Haven County, Connecticut. Benjamin and Sarah had children: Benjamin [chr. 9/20/1640-1689] [m. 12/21/1660 Mehitable Gunn], Joseph [chr. 11/20/1642-1671], Edward [chr. 1644-1728] [m. 11/15/1688 Mary Thorpe] Sarah [chr. 4/--/1645-1686] [m' 1663 Samuel Burwell], Mary [chr. 1647-6/20/1701] [m. 1/11/1671 William Leete Jr. & 2nd. Capt. Stephen Bradley] & Martha [chr. 1650-1708] [m. 3/14/1668 Samuel Newton]. All christened at Milford.3 Benjamin's wife, an unknown person , died on 20 April 1663 in Milford, New Haven County, Connecticut, leaving him a widower. He married Susanna Ward on 12 March 1664.4 Benjamin married 2nd Susanna Ward on 12 March 1664 in Milford, New Haven County, Connecticut.5 Benjamin & Susanna had children: Samuel, Susanna & James.6 Benjamin made his will on 14 September 1672 at Milford, New Haven County, Connecticut.

I give to my eldest son Benjamin Fenn my Farm bought of Samuel Backe, late of New Haven, East side of the East River. To my 2nd son Samuel Fenn my house, etc., in Milford. To my youngest son James Fenn my house in New Haven, with the Warehouse and Land belonging to it, East side of the River. And further I give him that farme that the Hon'd Generall Assembly gave to me to be taken up. I give to my three eldest daughters, Sarah, Mary & Martha, £20 apeice more. I give to my youngest daughter Susanna Fenn that house in Norwalk formerly Joseph Fenn's. My Will is that my gr. child Benjamin Fenn should enter & possess the house at Norwalk at the end of the present lease. (Wife mentioned here.) I give to my son Samuel Fenn my Dwelling house & Houseing with all Appurtenances and Meadows lying or being within the Parish of Chiddington, Maswith, Ivingowing, all of them in Buckingham Shire, which sd. houseing & Lands was given to mee by the Will of the late Agnis Seare, Dec'd, of the same parish & Shire aforesd, which sd. Houseing & Lands I doe give unto my son Samuel Fenn, to him and his heirs forever, he to pay at stated times £20 to each of his brothers & Sisters. I give all the rest of my Estate to my wife Susannah Fenn, she to be Executrix. Witness: Robert Treat, Ephraim Sanford.
Benjamin Fenn (L.S.)7,8

Benjamin departed this life in Milford, New Haven County, Connecticut.9 His will was probated on 14 November 1672.

Family 1

Sarah Baldwin b. b 22 Apr 1621, d. 20 Apr 1663

Family 2

Susanna Ward

Citations

  1. [S665] Rev. Ara Fenn Walker, Two branches of the Fenn Family in America, Milford Branch - page 1.
  2. [S704] Nathan G. Pond, The Story of the Memorial in Honor of the Founders of the Town of Milford

    , In 1888, in celebration of its 250th Anniversary, the towns people of Milford had a bridge & tower of stone errected over the river upon whose banks the first habitations were placed and near the spot where the first mill was erected.
    Along the sides of the bridge individual memorial stones where placed honoring the original settlers and prominent persons in the history of Milford. The tower, bridge and memorials were dedicated on 28 August 1889. The memorial stones were all by private donation.
    BENJAMIN FENN. Obit 1672. SARAH HIS WIFE.
    Benjamin Fenn was of much prominence in Milford affairs as well as those of the Colony. He was first in Dorchester, and probably came to this country in 1630, in the ship Mary and John, at the same time with Governor Winthrop, was assistant Governor from 1665 to 1672. His estate was large both here and in England, and he left lands in Aylesbury. His wife was Sarah Baldwin, daughter of Sylvester and Sarah (Bryan) Baldwin, who was baptised in 1621, in Aston, Clinton, Bucks County, England, and was sister to Richard (see #7) and to Mary, wife of Robert Plum (17).
    An unbroken line of ten Benjamin Fenns can be traced, and the son of Benjamin the settler married the only daughter of Jasper Gunn (6). The sons of Nathan Fenn give this stone.
  3. [S138] Charles Candee Baldwin, The Baldwin Genealody from 1500-1881, pages 50-51 - no. 50: Sarah Baldwin - married: Honorable Benjamin Finn of Milford; children: listed.
  4. [S138] Charles Candee Baldwin, The Baldwin Genealody from 1500-1881, page 50 - Sarah Baldwin - died: 20 April 1663 Milford.
  5. [S138] Charles Candee Baldwin, The Baldwin Genealody from 1500-1881, page 50 - Benjamin Fenn married 2nd: 12 March 1664 Susanna Ward.
  6. [S138] Charles Candee Baldwin, The Baldwin Genealody from 1500-1881, page 50 - Benjamin & Susanna had 3 children: 3 children - Samuel, Susanna & James.
  7. [S693] Charles William Manwaring, A Digenst of Early Connecticut Probate Records, Volume III: page 198 - Last Will & Testament of Benjamin Fenn dated: 14 - A Copy of Record at New Haven, in the 1st Book of Wills & Inventories


    September 1672.
  8. [S138] Charles Candee Baldwin, The Baldwin Genealody from 1500-1881, page 50 - Honorable Benjamin Finn had a large estate both here & in England; thought to be of Aylesbury as he had property there; will: 14 September 1672 & proved: 14 November 1672.
  9. [S138] Charles Candee Baldwin, The Baldwin Genealody from 1500-1881, page 50 - Benjamin Fenn - died: 1672 Milford - left a large estate both here & in England.