resident of Jamestown and magistrate of Chautanqua Co., NY. (1867)
Came with his father to Jamestown in 1813. Married in 1817 to Hannah Tracy. William Fenton was appointed deputy sheriff in 1817 and was commissioned, first Ensign & then Lieutenant in the State Militia by Governor Clinton. He also served as Commissioner of Deeds and in 1823 was named Justice of the Peace in which office he served until 1871.
Upon the death of his father Jacob in 1822, William carried on the pottery business in Fluvanna, NY. He obtained clay for the pottery from Burtis Point across Chautauqua Lake, and when his source of supply there gave out, he hauled clay from Levant, NY, in wagons. He manufactured crocks, milk pans, cups and saucers. In 1826 Samuel Whittemore entered into partnership with him and the business flourished until about 1846. A kiln of ware worth from $200 to $250 was turned out every two weeks.
A tall, shaft-type monument marks the burial plot of William H. Fenton and his wife Hannah (Tracy) Fenton in Fluvanna Cemetery.