Nathaniel Fenton Explained

Nathaniel Fenton
Birth Date:March 26, 1763
Birth Place:Mansfield, Connecticut
Death Place:Ellicott, New York
Office1:Member of the New York State Assembly
representing Otsego County, New York
Term Start1:July 1, 1814
Term End1:June 30, 1815
Predecessor1:Erastus Crafts
Abel DeForest
Samuel Griffin
James Hyde
Successor1:William Campbell
Silas Crippen
Isaac Hayes
Oliver Judd
Office2:Member of the New York State Assembly
representing Chautauqua County, New York
Term Start2:January 1, 1828
Term End2:December 31, 1828
Predecessor2:Samuel A. Brown
Elial T. Foote
Successor2:Abner Hazeltine
Nationality:American
Occupation:Politician

Nathaniel Fenton (March 26, 1763—January 25, 1846) was an American soldier and politician. He served two terms in the New York State Assembly (1814—1815; 1828) and was the first Supervisor of the Town of Poland, New York.[1] [2]

Biography

Fenton was born on March 26, 1763, in Mansfield, Connecticut, a son of Ebenezer and Lydia (Conant) Fenton. He was the first out of eight children by his father's second marriage, and he had seven older half siblings.[3] During the American Revolution, he was a colonial scout and later made his way up to the rank of Colonel. In 1781, he served in the Continental Army, serving in New York before returning home. He reenlisted in April 1782 and served in both Connecticut and New York. He enlisted a third time, and was at West Point when the army disbanded.[2]

Fenton moved to Otsego County, New York in November 1791, settling in Burlington. In 1802, he became a member of the Congregational Church.[3] Fenton was elected to the New York State Assembly in the 38th New York State Legislature as one of the four representatives for the county from 1814 to 1815 as a member of the Democratic-Republican Party. In 1815, Fenton was the Supervisor of the Town of Burlington, New York.[1]

Fenton again served in the New York State Assembly in the 41st New York State Legislature, representing Otsego County from 1817 to 1818. Fenton served as a Surrogate judge in Otsego County, from his appointment on June 17, 1818, until the court was abolished in 1823.[1]

Fenton moved to Chautauqua County, New York in September 1823[3] and settled in the Town of Ellicott. He served in the New York State Assembly in 1828, representing Chautauqua County in the 51st New York State Legislature alongside Nathan Mixer. Both were members of the Anti-Masonic Party. The Town of Poland was split from Ellicott in 1833, and Fenton became its first Supervisor on March 5, 1833. He was also the Supervisor for the Town of Ellicott (1828-1829; 1831–1840).[2]

Fenton married Rachel Fletcher in 1790 and they were the parents of Orilla, Richard, and another Richard. Fenton died on January 25, 1846, in Ellicott, New York.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: History of Otsego County, New York With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers. Hurd, Duane Hamilton. 1878 . University of Chicago. May 29, 2023 .
  2. Book: History of Chautauqua County, New York, and Its People Volume 1. Hedley, Fenwick Y.. 1921 . American Historical Society. 9785872000877 . May 29, 2023 .
  3. Web site: A genealogy of the Fenton family : descendants of Robert Fenton, an early settler of ancient Windham, Conn. (now Mansfield). Weaver, William L.. 1867. Archive.org. Willimantic, Conn. May 29, 2023 .