The Arnold Family of New England

While exploring the founding of Rhode Island, I mentioned that William Arnold, a founder of Pawtuxet, was the father of Benedict Arnold, who became governor after Roger Williams. This led to a question in a discussion that said, if I may quote "You mention William Arnold knocking about Rhode Island in the 1630s, but then say he's Benedict Arnold's father. Wouldn't that make him about 120 yrs old when Ben gets born?"

Much to my chagrin, I couldn't readily answer that so I did some research into the Arnold family, and the answer has become this article on The Arnold Family of New England. For a short answer, William would have actually been about 160 when Benedict was born, assuming that the infamous Benedict Arnold of the Rev. War was the only one in the family. In fact, the Benedict Arnold best known for his traitorous act during the Revolutionary War, is the great great grandson of William Arnold. To confuse the issue more, each descendant after William in this direct line was also named Benedict.

It has been recorded that the Arnold family is descended from Welsh Kings, dating back to the mid-twelfth century. On their paternal side, the Arnold family is descended from Ynir, King of Gwentland, and it is said that Gen. Benedict Arnold is also descended from King Egbert, the first Saxon King of all England, on his mother's (Hannah Waterman's) side. Some opponents like to say that Gen. Arnold was a crude and uneducated man. The opposite couldn’t be truer. His family has a long history of high social standing and trust within the community.

William Arnold was born on June 24, 1587 in Cheselbourne, England. His father Richard had lived on the estate there before him. In addition to his own nine children, William was appointed guardian of three of his brother's children in 1616. (One of these children, Thomas, is noted in Watertown, Massachusetts as early as 1640. However, that line is not explored here).

In 1635, William brought his family from Dorsetshire to Hingham, Massachusetts. His son Benedict wrote that "my father and his family Sett Sayle from Dartmouth in Old England, the first of May, Friday and arrived in New England June 24 Ano 1635". A contemporary of Roger Williams, Arnold's name appears on the first charter of Rhode Island. The family settled in Providence on April 20, 1636. He owned land in Providence, Pawtuxet and Warwick, Rhode Island and it has been noted that he "lived at his pleasure". It is assumed he was buried in Pawtuxet and it is known that he held

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