Frederic Denison was born on September 28, 1819, in Stonington, Connecticut. He attended school in Colchester, Connecticut, and he graduated from Brown University in 1847. He earned a living as a Baptist minister. He married Amey R. Manton on January 12, 1848, and their daughter Fredrica was born on July 30, 1853. They lived in Smithfield, Rhode Island, and by 1860, he owned $500 of personal property. By the early 1860s, he was serving as the chaplain of the Pawtucket Light Guard in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

 

In November 1861, he became chaplain of the 1^st Rhode Island Cavalry. The regiment took part in the Second Battle of Manassas. He fell ill during the winter of 1862-63, and army officials transferred him to the 3^rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, which was stationed in the Department of the South. He mustered out on October 5, 1864.

 

He settled in Westerly, Rhode Island, after the war and resumed his work as a minister. By 1870, he owned $2,000 of personal property. They moved to Providence, Rhode Island, in the 1870s. He was reportedly “actively associated” with the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He published many “historical sketches, army hymns, pamphlets upon current subjects of the day, memorial discourses and miscellaneous hymns, poems and newspaper and magazine articles.” His wife died in 1884, and he passed away in Providence on August 16, 1901.

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