Governor of Colonial Rhode Island. American Colonial figure, active in the settlement of Rhode Island. Born in England he was assigned to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1633 and then left Massachusetts for Portsmouth, Rhode Island in 1637. Brenton is a founding father of Rhode Islands popular city-by-the-sea, Newport, on Aquidneck Island. He was Deputy Governor of the towns of Portsmouth and Newport between 1640 and 1647. He served in Boston again for a few years but then returned to his home by the sea. For the next 8 years he held the office as Governor and Deputy Colonial Governor. Brenton died at his residence, Hammersmith Farm. Hammersmith farm later gained notoriety as the home of the Bouvier/Auchingloss family and was the childhood Summer retreat of Jaqueline Kennedy Onasis. At the time of Brenton's residence, Hammersmith Farm's lands included much of the area bordering Fort Adams and Ocean Drive. The state park near to his final resting place was also within his landholdings and bears his name. His grave has since deteriorated, he is marked only by the Governor's Flags near the grave of his oldest son Jahleel.
Governor of Colonial Rhode Island. American Colonial figure, active in the settlement of Rhode Island. Born in England he was assigned to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1633 and then left Massachusetts for Portsmouth, Rhode Island in 1637. Brenton is a founding father of Rhode Islands popular city-by-the-sea, Newport, on Aquidneck Island. He was Deputy Governor of the towns of Portsmouth and Newport between 1640 and 1647. He served in Boston again for a few years but then returned to his home by the sea. For the next 8 years he held the office as Governor and Deputy Colonial Governor. Brenton died at his residence, Hammersmith Farm. Hammersmith farm later gained notoriety as the home of the Bouvier/Auchingloss family and was the childhood Summer retreat of Jaqueline Kennedy Onasis. At the time of Brenton's residence, Hammersmith Farm's lands included much of the area bordering Fort Adams and Ocean Drive. The state park near to his final resting place was also within his landholdings and bears his name. His grave has since deteriorated, he is marked only by the Governor's Flags near the grave of his oldest son Jahleel.
Bio by: R. Digati
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