TENNEY, Samuel, physician, born in Byfield, Massachusetts, 27 November, 1748; died in Exeter, New Hampshire, 6 February, 1816. He was graduated at Harvard in 1772, taught, one year at Andover, Massachusetts, and then, after studying medicine, went to practise at Exeter, New Hampshire, but on the day of the battle of Bunker Hill joined the patriot army as a surgeon. After serving one year with Massachusetts troops, he entered the Rhode Island forces. At the battle of Red Bank he dressed the wounds of Count yon Donop, the Hessian commander. Dr. Tenney served through the war, and at its close returned to Exeter, where he married, but did not resume practice. He was a delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1788, and judge of probate from 1793 till 1800, when he was elected to congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of William Gordon, and taking his seat on 8 December, served till 1807. Dr. Tenney wrote much for the press on political subjects, especially in 1788, in favor of the adoption of the constitution of the United States. To the "Memoirs" of the American academy, of which he was a member, he contributed an account of the mineral waters of Saratoga and a "Theory of Prismatic Colors"; to the Massachusetts historical society a notice of the so-called "dark day," 19 May, 1780, and an account of Exeter; and to the State agricultural society a treatise on orcharding, which was highly esteemed. He also wrote for the "New York Medical Repository" "An Explanation of Certain Curious Phenomena in the Heating of Water" (1811).--His wife, Tabitha, author, born in Exeter, New Hampshire, in 1762; died there, 2 May, 1837, was the daughter of Samuel Gilman, who died in her infancy. She was educated by her mother, early began to take pleasure in reading, and became known for her facility and grace in conversation. She married Mr. Tenny in 1788. Mrs. Tenney was the author of "Female Quixotism : exhibited in the Romantic Opinions and Extravagant Adventures of Dorcasina Sheldon" (2d ed., Newburyport, 1807; 2 vols., Boston, 1829; many other editions). She also compiled " The new Pleasing Instructor," a selection from the poets and other classical writers, for the use of young ladies.