New Bedford is home to many historical figures and that includes our very own Sarah Rotch Arnold! Born on June 3, 1786, in Nantucket, Sarah Rotch grew up in a family whose Quaker faith and maritime livelihood anchored their lives. When the Rotches moved to New Bedford, her father, William Rotch Jr., rose as a leader in the city’s thriving whaling industry—giving Sarah a childhood steeped in both enterprise and compassion.
In 1807, she married James Arnold, son of a successful merchant. Together, they created a home known for its hospitality, drawing in reformers, artists, and community leaders. Their partnership united two of the region’s most influential families and strengthened Sarah’s role in New Bedford’s civic life.
These early experiences prepared her for the work that would define her legacy: creating and leading the Ladies’ Branch of the New Bedford Port Society, where she and her peers transformed care for the city’s sailors and their families.