 Edson Jones eventually published his findings on the Arnold family in 1915 , demonstrating the accuracy of the Arnold family record , and then carefully revealing each inconsistency and factual error found in Somerby 's pedigree . In 1921 , Fred Arnold summarized these findings and synthesized them into a coherent lineage of the Arnold family which is consistent with every known historical document , and presented his findings to the Rhode Island Historical Society . To summarize the work of both Edson Jones and Fred Arnold , William Arnold was the son of Nicholas Arnold of Northover and Ilchester in Somerset based on the Arnold family record and the Northover parish register . Arnold 's mother was Alice Gully , and her parents were John and Alice Gully based on the same two documents . These are the only known ancestors of William Arnold based on known historical records , and the parents of Nicholas Arnold have not been identified in any historical document . 
