Benedict Arnold (governor)
Benedict Arnold (December 21, 1615 – June 19, 1678) was president and then governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, serving for a total of 11 years in these roles. He was born and raised in the town of Ilchester, Somerset, England, likely attending school in Limington nearby. In 1635 at age 19, he accompanied his parents, siblings, and other family members on a voyage from England to New England where they first settled in Hingham in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In less than a year, they moved to Providence Plantation at the head of the Narragansett Bay at the request of Roger Williams. In about 1638, they moved once again about five miles (8 km) south to the Pawtuxet River, settling on the north side at a place commonly called Pawtuxet (now Cranston). Here they had serious disputes with their neighbors, particularly Samuel Gorton, and they put themselves and their lands under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, a situation which lasted for 16 years.
For other people named Benedict Arnold, see Benedict Arnold (disambiguation).
Benedict Arnold
William Brenton
Himself as governor
Himself as president
William Brenton
William Brenton
19 June 1678 (aged 62)
Newport, Rhode Island
Arnold Burying Ground, Pelham St., Newport
Damaris Westcott
9
William Arnold
Christian Peak
Benedict Arnold (great-grandson)
Interpreter, Commissioner, President, Governor
Arnold learned the Indian languages at an early age and became one of the two leading interpreters in the Rhode Island colony (Roger Williams being the other). He was frequently called upon to interpret during negotiations with the Indians, but they accused him of misrepresentation on one occasion.
In 1651, Arnold left Providence and Pawtuxet with his family, settling in Newport where he began his public service, which lasted continuously until his death. He became a freeman, Commissioner, and Assistant, and he succeeded Roger Williams as president of the colony in 1657, serving for three years. In 1662, he was once again elected president, and Williams brought the Royal Charter of 1663 from England in the second year of this term, naming him as the first governor and offering broad freedoms and self-determination to the colony.
Arnold was a bold and decisive leader. He was elected for two additional terms as governor, the last time following the devastation of King Philip's War. He died on June 19, 1678, while still in office and was buried in the Arnold Burying Ground located on Pelham Street in Newport. In his will, he left his "stone built wind mill" to his wife, which still stands as an important Newport landmark. His many descendants include General Benedict Arnold, notorious for his treason during the American Revolutionary War, and Senator Stephen Arnold Douglas who debated Abraham Lincoln in 1858 and lost to him during the 1860 presidential election.
Early life[edit]
Arnold was born December 21, 1615, in Ilchester, Somerset, England, the second child and oldest son of William Arnold and Christian Peak.[1] He was likely educated at the Free Grammar School associated with the parish church in Limington, slightly more than one mile (1.6 km) to the east of Ilchester. This ancient school is where Thomas Wolsey was the curate and schoolmaster from 1500 to 1509. Wolsey became the Lord Cardinal and Primate of England.[2]
The Arnold family emigrated to New England when he was 19 in the spring of 1635 and made the trip from Ilchester to Dartmouth on the coast of Devon.[3] He wrote in a family record, "Memorandom my father and his family Sett Sayle from Dartmouth in Old England, the first of May, friday &c. Arrived in New England June 24o Ano 1635."[1] It is possible that Stukeley Westcott of Yeovil was on the same ship with his family, including his daughter Damaris, age 15 and Arnold's future wife.[4]
Upon their arrival in New England, the Arnolds joined a group of settlers from Hingham, Norfolk, England, where they established the town of Hingham in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.[5] Arnold received title to a house lot in September 1635, but Roger Williams persuaded him and others the following spring to join him in establishing a new settlement named Providence Plantation at the head of a river that flows into the Narragansett Bay.[5] The younger Arnold wrote in the family record that they "came to Providence to Dwell the 20th of April, 1636."[1] Arnold received a house lot on what is now North Main Street in Providence, and his father was granted the second lot south of his.[6]
Family and descendants[edit]
Arnold married Damaris on December 17, 1640, the daughter of Stukeley Westcott and Julianna Marchante.[47] They had nine children: Benedict, Caleb, Josiah, Damaris, William, Penelope, Oliver, Godsgift, and Freelove.[48] All but William grew to adulthood, married, and had children.[49]
Notable descendants of Benedict Arnold through his son Benedict include his great-grandson, also named Benedict Arnold,[50] the general of the American Revolutionary War who is remembered primarily for his treason to America when he switched sides to fight with the British. Descendants through his son Caleb include Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry,[51] American hero of the Great Lakes during the War of 1812, and his younger brother Commodore Matthew C. Perry,[51] who compelled the opening of Japan to the West with the Convention of Kanagawa in 1854. Senator Stephen Arnold Douglas[52] is also descended through this line, who debated Abraham Lincoln in 1858 before a senate race and later lost to him in the 1860 presidential election. Rhode Island colonial Deputy Governor George Hazard is another descendant.[53]