Benedict Arnold

Who was Benedict Arnold?

Benedict Arnold was president and then governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, serving for a total of 11 years in these roles. Coming from Somerset, England, he was born and raised in the town of Ilchester, likely attending school in Limington, nearby. In 1635, at the age of 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 on the Narragansett Bay at the request of Roger Williams. In about 1638 they moved once again, about five miles south to the Pawtuxet River, settling on the north side at a place commonly called Pawtuxet. Here they had serious disputes with their neighbors, particularly Samuel Gorton, and as a result put themselves and their lands under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, a situation lasting for 16 years.

Learning the native languages at an early age, Arnold 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 natives, but on one occasion was accused by them of misrepresentation.