The "Mrs. Benedict Arnold" Story

This was the location of the "Shippen House" where Mrs. Margaret
(Peggy) Shippen Arnold used to visit when she was younger.

It was an ordinary day.  Just snapped a photo of the location of "Shippen House" which is at the northwest corner of  East Lime and East Orange Streets in downtown Lancaster, PA.  The original Shippen home stood on that location until 1914 and is now the home of the Lancaster YWCA.  The Shippen house was occupied from 1751-1781 by Edward Shippen IV and his family.  Edward was a lawyer, judge and grandfather of Peggy Shippen who eventually married Benedict Arnold and I assume most everyone knows the story of Benedict Arnold.  Mrs. Arnold's uncle was also a judge in Lancaster.  

Peggy and Benedict Arnold

Margaret (Peggy) Shippen married Benedict Arnold when she was 19 and he was 39 and had children from a previous marriage.  The couple called Philadelphia home, but Peggy made frequent visits to Lancaster to see her family.  The couple were social butterflies who led lives of luxury.  George Washington once said that all young men fell in love with the young bride because of her charm and appearance.  During the American Revolution, Mr. Arnold, who had suffered a debilitating leg wound during the war,  served as military governor when the British evacuated the city.  Then in 1780 he was given command of West Point where he began a secret correspondence with a British General and arranged the base's surrender.  When the plot was discovered, he escaped to New York City where he joined the British army and led attacks on Richmond and New London, Connecticut.  Did Peggy know what was going on?  Alexander Hamilton, who was serving under Washington, said he believed that she had no idea of her husband's plans.  She only became aware of her husband's plans when he came to her and told her he must banish himself from his country and from her forever.  She was said to be distraught and was "entirely lost" after hearing her husband's plans.  

New novel written about Peggy Arnold

But, in "The Memoirs of Aaron Burr," printed in 1836, it was said that Peggy had confided in a friend that she knew of her husbands intentions and urged him to do what he did.  Another writer also said that Mrs. Arnold was a party to the plot from the beginning.  The spy, John Andre, who was caught with the evidence of Benedict's treason had befriended the young Peggy and her family while the British were occupying Philadelphia.  She was allegedly awarded 350 pounds by the British for meritorious services.  In 1782 Peggy traveled with her husband to England where they both eventually died; Peggy dying in 1804.  

Grave site of Peggy's grandfather located
in St. James Episcopal Chruch cemetery.

Historians still are unsure of Peggy's involvement in her husband's affairs and some say that Peggy had loyalties to England and led her husband into his acts of treason.  A novel was recently written about Peggy Shippen Arnold titled "The Traitor's Wife" which tells Peggy's story.  It was reviewed on the "Today" show not long ago.  For anyone who is a history buff and enjoys Lancaster history, it should be a great book to read.  Peggy's grandfather, who lived in the Shippen House for 30 years, is buried in St. James Episcopal Church's cemetery where I romped as a young choirboy before choir practices.  Also snapped a photo of his monument in the church cemetery.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.