Prior to Robert's appearance in Mass., there was an Edward Fenton who was a Captain of the British Navy in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, who, under the command of Sir Martin Frobisher, was in an exploring expedition which visited St. Augustine, Fla. in 1585.

"He was born about 1660 in England. His residence was given as Birmingham when he was reprieved for transport to America by the Midland Circuit Court aboard the ship Warwickshire on July 17, 1682. He arrived in America (probably Boston) in July or August of 1682 as a bonded emigrant. On February 27, 1688, he married Dorothy Farrar in Woburn, Mass." according to query in FIG Tree News by Merrill B. Fenton. According to BOOK OF EMIGRANTS Robert Fenton of Birmingham, England was listed among Midland circuit prisoners reprieved to be transported to America on the ship Warwickshire. This is also listed in his second book, BONDED PASSENGERS TO AMERICA, where Coldham states "Robert Fenton arrived in the new world in 1682". Finally, there is a reference stating "Robert Fenton arrived in Woburn, Massachusetts in 1688" in IMMIGRANT ANCESTORS. Taxed at Woburn, Mass. in August 1688 - 2s. 6d., also 1689, 1690, 1691.
The Charlestown court documents of Aug - Dec 1691 concern his arrest and conviction for passing counterfeit bills of credit in Woburn, Massachussets, as referenced in Kenneth Scott's 1957 classic, “Counterfeiting in America”. Alliances thru marriage were made with some of New England's first families. In May 30, 1693 and April 19, 1694 he was received as an inhabitant of the town (Windham assumed). He located in the "North End" or "Ponds" of town, being part of Ancient Windham CT which later became Mansfield. Living there in 1694, where in December 1694 he, along with Joshua Ripley, were appointed as first town-clerk and magistrate of Windham. On June 13, 1695 ffenton (note spelling) built the first bridge across the Natchaug River for the town of Ancient Windham. Considered a farmer as well as a mechanic and certainly a carpenter. The town of Mansfield was made Oct 20, 1703 , set off from Windham. He was a patentee of the town and owned considerable property. Land records show him living there in 1707 and 1712, when he sold some of his property. Between 1712 and 1730 he left Mansfield, as he is not on list of freemen. Robert settled in the new town of Willington by 1730, where he later died at an advanced age in the house of his son. He had nine children by his wife, Dorothy.

from Bob Gedlinske:
The name Fenton isn't found frequently in New England, but when it is, it is one of honor and respect. With regard to the character and position of Robert Fenton, there is not much in the records on which to base an opinion. There is evidence that he enjoyed the confidence and respect of the early settlers of the town. Most of the planters were in moderate curcumstances. They generally owned 1,000 acres of land, for which they paid about ten pounds. As settlers increased, and the original proprietors were enabled to sell their surplus land which had 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 been mostly of the middle classes, being mostly farmers and mechanics, generally neither rich nor poor. We have found, in our genealogical seaches that each family characterized by some particular traits, which, to a lesser or greater degree, extended through all the generations of such a family. The Fentons are no exception to this rule. Some of their traits have been mechanical ingenuity, shill in music, courage and patriotism, good sense and especially a pleasant, genial disposition. Their kindness and cordiality as freinds and neighbors, and their good humor, have been proverbial.