Captain Joseph Arnold, son of Caleb and Susanna (Stafford) Arnold, was born at Cranston, R. I., August 13, 1755. He was a soldier in the Revolution, serving with Captain Thomas Holden's company, Colonel James Varnum's regiment, at Bunker Hill, and later came under General Washington's command. In June, 1777, he was appointed as first lieutenant of Captain Cole's company. He was ensign in Colonel Christopher Greene's regiment, which marched to Morristown, N. J., serving under General Washington in April of that year; marched to Fort Montgomery, joined the main army in Pennsylvania, marched to Whitestone, going later into winter quarters at Valley Forge with the army that suffered such hardships. On June 1, 1778, he was appointed captain; was in General Sullivan's expedition, recruited a company of black troops which he commanded and honorably discharged November 9, 1779. In February, 1780, he was recommended to Congress by General Washington for an office in the army. By virtue of his rank he was entitled to membership in the Society of the Cincinnati, joining the Rhode Island branch of the Society, December 17, 1783.
Captain Joseph Arnold died at Apponaug, July 20, 1840. He married, September 6, 1783, Sarah Stafford, daughter of Stukeley Stafford.
