Benedict Arnold (governor)

Benedict Arnold
Governor Benedict Arnold grave medallion
10th and 12th President of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
In office 1657–1660
Preceded by	Roger Williams
Succeeded by	William Brenton
In office 1662–1663
Preceded by	William Brenton
Succeeded by	Himself as governor
1st, 3rd, and 7th Governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
In office 1663–1666
Preceded by	Himself as president
Succeeded by	William Brenton
In office 1669–1672
Preceded by	William Brenton
Succeeded by	Nicholas Easton
In office 1677–1678
Preceded by	Walter Clarke
Succeeded by	William Coddington
Personal details
Born	21 December 1615 Ilchester, Somerset
Died	19 June 1678 (1678-06-20) (aged 62) Newport, Rhode Island
Resting place	Arnold Burying Ground, Pelham St., Newport
Spouse	Damaris Westcott
Children	9
Parent(s)	William Arnold Christian Peak
Relatives	Benedict Arnold (great-grandson)
Occupation	Interpreter, Commissioner, President, 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.

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.