In memory of Gov. Benedict Arnold, my Maternal 13th Great-Grandfather on the DECKER branch.
Bibliography:
- Benedict Arnold (governor) article on Wikipedia
- “The Arnold Memorial: William Arnold of Providence and Pawtuxet, 1587–1675, and a genealogy of his descendants”, by Elisha Stephen Arnold, 1935.
- “William Arnold, Stukeley Westcott and William Carpenter”, by Frederick A. Arnold, 1921, p. 9-39.
- "An Account of the English Homes of three early Proprietors", by Frederick A. Arnold, 1918, in the “Rhode Island Historical Society Collections”, XIV (3), p. 75-76.
- “The Hazard Family of Rhode Island, 1635-1894”, by C.E. Robinson, 1895, p. 11.
- "The English Ancestry of the Family of Arnold", by Horatio Gates Somerby, 1920.
- Early voyages to America : a paper read before the Rhode Island Historical Society, by Baxter, James Phinney, 1831-1921; Rhode Island Historical Society; YA Pamphlet, 1889 [Link]
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Disclaimer:
Genealogy is my hobby and the information provided here is a work in progress. I have loads of information to add and new finds are continually being discovered. If you have any corrections, additions, or comments to contribute, please use the comment box below. Visit the Latest Updates page to see when this Ancestor Profile page is updated.
Gov. Benedict Arnold
Governor of Rhode Island
Maps & Research Links:
Birth:
1615 Dec 21
Ilchester, Somerset, England
Marriage:
1640 Dec 17
[Unknown]
Death:
Burial:
1678 June 19
Newport, Rhode Island
Arnold Burying Ground
Pelham St., Newport, Rhode Island
Biography
Gov. Benedict Arnold was the son of William Arnold and Christian Peak. Not to be confused with his grandson, Benedict Arnold, the Continental Army’s General who defected to the side of the British during the American Revolution, Gov. Benedict Arnold was born on December 21, 1615, in Ilchester, Somerset, England. In 1635, when he was a young man of 19 years, he and his parents went to New England and settled in Hingham. Benedict married Damaris Westcott in 1640. They were persuaded by Roger Williams, to establish a new settlement on the Narragansett Bay, Providence, Rhode Island, where he was the wealthiest man in the Colony. He and six others purchased a large tract of land in Narragansett in 1658, known as the Pettaquamscutt Purchase. His farm was called "Lemmington Farm" after Limington in Somerset. Arnold was made Governor of Rhode Island from 1662 to 1666, from 1669 to 1672, and from 1677 to 1678. He died in Newport on June 19, 1678, and rests in the Arnold Family Burying Ground.
Children
Gov. Benedict Arnold & Damaris Westcott were the parents of my ancestor,
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Benedict Arnold II, born 1642, father of the infamous Benedict Arnold III.
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Caleb Arnold, born 1644, a physician who married Abigail Wilbur.
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Josiah Arnold, born 1646.
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Damaris Arnold, born 1648.
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William Arnold, born 1651.
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Penelope Arnold, born 1653.
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Oliver Arnold, born 1655.
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Godsgift Arnold, born 1658.
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Freelove Arnold, born 1661.
Records, photos, and memorabilia pertaining to the life of Gov. Benedict Arnold:
DNA Notes:
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