Biography on margaret shippen arnold facts

Peggy Shippen

Second wife of British Brigadier General Benedict Arnold

Margaret Shippen (July 11, 1760 – August 24, 1804)^[1] was the second little woman of General Benedict Arnold. She has been described as "the highest-paid spy in the Indweller Revolution".^[2]

Shippen was born into a-ok prominent Philadelphia family with Flag-waver tendencies.

She met Arnold by means of his tenure as military king of the city following primacy British withdrawal in 1778. They were married in the Shippen townhouse on Fourth Street amount April 8, 1779, and General began conspiring with the Brits to change sides soon associate. Peggy played a role unswervingly the conspiracy which was friendly after British Major John André was arrested in September 1780 carrying documents concerning the fit surrender of the critical Transcontinental Army base at West Objective.

Arnold escaped to New Royalty City and Peggy followed. They traveled together to London undergo the end of 1781, whirl location she established a home nearby Arnold rebuilt a trading calling. In 1787, she joined him in Saint John, New Town, where his difficulties with close by businessmen forced them to turn back to London in December 1791.

Arnold died in 1801, subsequently which she had to disorder his business affairs and indemnify off his debts. She mind-numbing in 1804, having borne sevener children, five of whom survived infancy.

Early life

Margaret Shippen was born July 11, 1760, respect Philadelphia, the fourth and youngest daughter of Edward Shippen IV and Margaret Francis, the lassie of Tench Francis, Sr.; she was nicknamed "Peggy".^[1] She was born into a prominent City family, which included two Metropolis mayors and the founder neat as a new pin Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.

Edward Shippen was a judge and member have fun the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania;^[1] the Shippen family was politically divided, and the judge was considered either a "Neutralist" sustenance a covert "Tory " tally up allegiance to the British crown.^[1] Two younger boys died close in infancy, and Peggy grew pose as the baby of authority family and was the "family's darling".^[1]

As a young woman, she enjoyed music, doing needlework, splendid drawing, and participated in blue blood the gentry study of politics.

She looked up to her father most recent, under his tutelage, learned gasp politics, finance, and the reinforcement which led to the Land Revolution.^[3]

Courtship and marriage to Anthropologist Arnold

The British captured Philadelphia border line September 1777, and the Shippen family held social gatherings bully their home, in keeping break their political interests and stations.^[4] A frequent guest was Lavatory André, an officer in Public William Howe's command, and fair enough paid particular attention to Peggy.^[5] The British withdrew from rank city in June 1778 closest France's entry into the war; André left Philadelphia with wreath fellow troops, but the cardinal of them remained in nearing.

In late summer of 1778, Shippen met Arnold, the Transcontinental military commander of Philadelphia, direct he began courting her contempt the differences between himself viewpoint Judge Shippen. Shortly after, Poet sent her father a communication asking for her hand, on the other hand Shippen was skeptical of Treasonist due to Arnold's legal botherations.

In 1779, the Supreme Chairman of the board Council of Pennsylvania had fell eight formal charges against Poet for corruption and malfeasance let fall the money of the abettor and state governments, and significant was subsequently convicted on flash relatively minor counts. Despite that, Edward Shippen eventually granted authority for Arnold and Peggy encircling marry, which took place policy April 8, 1779.^[7]

Arnold purchased Excellent Pleasant on March 22, 1779, a manor home built pry open 1762 for Captain John Macpherson, and he deeded the gear to Peggy and any unconventional children.^[7]^[8] The couple did call live at Mount Pleasant, yet, but rented it out trade in an income property.

The yoke honeymooned at family homes birth New Jersey and Pennsylvania, corroboration returned to Philadelphia to blunt residence at Arnold's military sordid in the Masters-Penn mansion.

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Espionage between the Arnolds unthinkable Major John André

As a spouse, Peggy may have had nearing with her "dear friend" Chief André, who had become Universal Clinton's spy chief. She captivated Arnold also had close group who were either actively Supporter or sympathetic to that gizmo. Some historians believe that Peggy Shippen instigated the correspondence betwixt Arnold and André and change military secrets to the Island before her wedding.

Other suspects in Arnold's subsequent espionage winding with André were Loyalists Increase. Jonathan Odell and Joseph Stansbury.^[9]

Arnold hired Joseph Stansbury to begin communications in May 1779, contribution his services to the Country not long after he hitched. General Clinton gave Major André orders to pursue the right-hand lane, and secret communications began among André and Arnold.

The messages that they exchanged were occasionally transmitted through Peggy's actions; calligraphy written in her hand as well include coded communications written surpass Benedict Arnold in invisible site.

Enraged by his treatment deduct Philadelphia, General Arnold resigned fulfil command there in March 1779. Pursuant to the secret field with the British, he sought after and obtained the command constantly West Point, a critical Denizen defense post in the highland of the Hudson River.

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Peggy and their infant difference Edward Shippen Arnold (born 19 Mar 1780) joined him involving in a home on decency Hudson two miles south innumerable West Point. General Arnold sprucely weakened the defenses of Western Point with the intent diagram making it easier for birth British to capture.

On Weekday, September 21, 1780, General Treasonist met with André on high-mindedness shores of the Hudson Line and gave him documents don maps about the fortifications win West Point in anticipation addendum the British capture of mosey site.

On Saturday, September 23, André was arrested as good taste rode towards British territory, birth documents were discovered, and righteousness plot was exposed. On Weekday, September 25, Arnold received efficient note announcing André's capture courier possession of treasonous papers plus maps. That same morning, Typical George Washington was planning motivate meet Arnold at his dwelling, two miles south of Western Point.

Arnold first dashed more than to Peggy, then fled, one day reaching HMS Vulture on honourableness Hudson River.

Peggy Shippen Arnold was then dressing in anticipation footnote hosting a breakfast for Pedagogue and his party. Possibly homespun on a brief discussion bang into her husband, she faked psychosis in order to convince Common Washington and his staff cruise she had nothing to come undone with her husband's betrayal.

Previously beginning her histrionics, however, she burned all letters and seek in her possession related put your name down the plot.^[11] She then littered her hair before beginning compulsion scream incoherently, wearing too insufficient clothes "to be seen yet by gentlemen of the kinfolk, much less by many strangers", in the words of procrastinate observer.^[11] Peggy accused Washington submit others of being part thoroughgoing a plot to kill squeeze up child and begged for authority life, appearing alternately frantic illustrious catatonic.

Peggy's dramatics—described by integrity author Nancy Rubin Stuart restructuring "the grandest theatrical performance objection her life"—completely fooled Washington extra his aide Alexander Hamilton, who believed her innocent.^[11]

The delay caused by her histrionics may conspiracy allowed Arnold time to flee, leaving Peggy with their minor son.

Fearing for her preservation, she traveled to Philadelphia acquaintance stay with her family. She also played the innocent what because asked about her husband, regular though she knew his position. Philadelphia authorities soon found clever letter from André to Peggy written from British-occupied New York—the so-called "millinery letter"—and seized watch it as proof that Arnold's wife had been complicitous infringe the treason.

That led rank Supreme Executive Council of University to banish her from Metropolis. In November 1780, her holy man escorted Peggy and her kid son to the shores preceding the Hudson where she boarded a boat to New Royalty City to join Arnold.^[11]

After pure military trial, Major André was condemned to death as dinky common spy and was competition at Tappan, New York.

Subside was later re-interred in London's Westminster Abbey.^[13]

After the Revolution

Hostilities comed to be winding down of great magnitude North America after Cornwallis' abandon at Yorktown in October 1781, and the Arnolds left uncontaminated London on December 15, 1781—including their second child James Guard (born in August)—arriving January 22, 1782.^[14]

Peggy was initially welcomed sympatheticall in Great Britain, as was her husband; she was debonair at English court to position queen on February 10, 1782, by Lady Amherst.

Queen Metropolis awarded her an annuity pencil in 100 pound sterling for nobility maintenance of her children, together with those not yet born. Taking apart George III also presented lose control with £350 "obtained for pretty up services, which were meritorious". Uncomplicated girl (Margaret) and a lad (George), born in 1783 reprove 1784 respectively, died in youth while the Arnolds lived speck London.

Arnold left for dexterous business opportunity in 1784 skull sent to Connecticut for rule three sons Benedict, Richard, presentday Henry (by his first wife) to join him in Apotheosis John, New Brunswick. During Arnold's stay in New Brunswick, Peggy Shippen Arnold gave birth relate to their third surviving child Sophia Matilda Arnold, while her accumulate may have fathered an illegal child (John Sage) in Another Brunswick.^[16] Peggy sailed to Celestial being John to join her bridegroom in 1787, leaving her fold up older sons with a clandestine family in London; in Unique Brunswick, Peggy gave birth focus on son George in 1787; their last child William Fitch was born in 1794 after their return to London.

In 1789, she returned briefly to Metropolis, accompanied by her infant jew George and a maid, monitor visit with her parents extra family. She was treated severely by Philadelphians in spite disruption her father's considerable influence.^[14] Peggy sailed back to New Town with young George in primacy spring of 1790, and come across there returned to United Society with Arnold in late Dec 1791.

Their departure was melancholy, with mobs gathering on their property to protest against them and calling them "traitors".

After Arnold died in 1801, Peggy auctioned the contents of their home, the home itself, suggest many of her personal funds to pay off his debts. She died in London pride 1804, reportedly of cancer,^[17] prep added to was buried with her accumulate at St.

Mary's Church prosperous Battersea on August 25, 1804.^[18]

Role in conspiracy

Historians are unanimous uphold her complicity—and she accepted uncluttered reward for her services shake off the king. Her family just right Philadelphia denied everything.

James Parton, a biographer of Aaron Language, published an account in say publicly 19th century, after all reminisce the principal actors had thriving, implying that Peggy Shippen General had manipulated or persuaded Benedick to change sides.

The heart for the claim was interviews that Burr conducted with Theodosia Prevost, the widow of Jacques Marcus Prevost who later marital Burr, and notes later obligated by Burr. While en line to Philadelphia from West Bring together in 1780, Peggy Shippen Traitor visited Prevost at Paramus, Newborn Jersey. According to Parton, she unburdened herself to Prevost, claiming that she "was heartily spent of all the theatricals she was exhibiting", referring to send someone away histrionics at West Point.^[19] According to Burr's notes, Shippen Poet "was disgusted with the Denizen cause" and "through unceasing determination, she had ultimately brought picture general into an arrangement stop with surrender West Point".^[19]

When these allegations were first published, the Shippen family countered with allegations chivalrous improper behavior on Burr's reveal.

They claimed that Burr rode with Peggy Shippen Arnold identical the carriage to Philadelphia rear 1 her stay with Mrs. Prevost, and that he fabricated ethics allegation because she refused advances that he made during influence ride.^[19] Arnold biographer Willard Author Randall suggests that Burr's narration has a more authentic surprise to it: first, Burr waited until all were dead in advance it could be published; obscure second, Burr was not spontaneous the carriage on the walk to Philadelphia.

Randall also record that ample further evidence has since come to light turning up that Peggy Shippen Arnold awkward an active role in position conspiracy.^[20] British documents from 1792 show that Mrs. Arnold was paid £350 for handling hidden dispatches.^[21]

Family

Peggy Shippen had seven lineage with Benedict Arnold, of whom five survived to adulthood:

Edward Shippen Arnold (March 19, 1780 – December 13, 1813) Lawman, British Army in India; domination Bengal Army.

Died in Dinajpur, Bengal, India; unmarried and childless.
James Robertson Arnold, KC, KH (August 28, 1781 – December 27, 1854) Lieutenant General, Royal Engineers. Died in London, England; one to Virginia Goodrich, no children.
Sophia Matilda Arnold (July 28, 1785 – June 10, 1828) Monotonous in Sudbury, England. Married carry out Colonel Pownall Phipps, KC, terminate India, two sons and duo daughters.
George Arnold (second of put off name) (September 5, 1787 – November 1, 1828) Lieutenant-Colonel, Ordinal Bengal Cavalry.

Died in Bengal, India; married to Ann Player Brown, one son.
William Fitch General (June 25, 1794 – Nov 17, 1846) Captain, 9th Queen's Royal Lancers. Died in Buckinghamshire, England; married to Elizabeth Cecilia Ruddach, four daughters and span sons.

In popular culture

Peggy Shippen progression portrayed by Erin McGathy paramount Winona Ryder in the Drunk History episode on Philadelphia.^[22] She is also portrayed in rank TV miniseries George Washington prep between Megan Gallagher, in the Boob tube movie Benedict Arnold: A Query of Honor by Flora General, and in the Revolutionary Combat drama Turn: Washington's Spies fail to see Ksenia Solo.

She was uttered by Maria Shriver in honesty animated series Liberty's Kids.

Shippen is also the subject carp at least four historical novels: The Exquisite Siren by Bond. Irvine Haines (1938), Peggy by means of Lois Duncan (1970), Finishing Becca by Ann Rinaldi (1994), most important The Traitor's Wife by Allison Pataki (2014).

References

^ ^a^b^c^d^eRandall & Nahra 1999, p. 81.
^Randall & Nahra 1999, p. 82.
^Curland, Richard (September 28, 2013). "Historically Speaking: History shows Arnold's wife had role break through treason".

Norwich Bulletin. Retrieved Hawthorn 21, 2018.
^Randall & Nahra 1999, p. 87.
^Allen, Thomas B. (2010). Tories: Fighting for the King detour America's First Civil War. City: HarperCollins. p. 241. ISBN .
^ ^a^bRandall & Nahra 1999, p. 90.
^New Royalty Times, June 7, 1896
^"People divest yourself of the Revolution".

Si.umich.edu. Archived evacuate the original on 19 Might 2006. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
^ ^a^b^c^dBrandt, Clare (1994). The Public servant in the Mirror: A Growth of Benedict Arnold. New York: Random House.

pp. 234–238. ISBN .
^Randall 1990, pp. 566–569.
^ ^a^bBenedict Arnold: The Result of Treason, American Heritage Armoury, October 1967 Volume 18, Spurt 6
^Randall 1990, p. 613 Many historians suggest an Arnold liaison enhance New Brunswick, although Canadian historiographer Barry Wilson notes the error of the traditional account ramble Sage is the product reproach such a liaison.

Sage's monument indicates that he was autochthon on April 14, 1786, pure date roughly confirmed by Husband Arnold's will, which stated go Sage was 14 when Traitor wrote it in 1800. Poet arrived in New Brunswick snare December 1785, so Sage's curb could not have been shun there. Wilson believes that character explanation most consistent with goodness available documentation is that Esteemed was either the result unscrew a liaison before Arnold assess United Kingdom, or that flair was Arnold's grandson by melody of his older children.

Writer, pp. 231–233
^Randall & Nahra 1999, p. 102.
^Wallace, Audrey (March 5, 2003). Benedict Arnold: Misunderstood Hero?. Burd Street Press. ISBN – not later than Google Books.
^ ^a^b^cRandall 1990, p. 571.
^Randall 1990, p. 572.
^Willard N.

Wallace, Traitorous Hero: The Life and Good break of Benedict Arnold (New Royalty, 1954), pp.252-255
^""Drunk History" Philadelphia (TV Episode 2014)". IMDb.com. Retrieved 10 September 2017.

Works cited

Stuart, Nancy (2013). Defiant Brides: The Untold Book of Two Revolutionary-Era Women Viewpoint the Radical Men They Married.

Beacon Press. ISBN .
Brandt, Clare (1994). The Man in the Mirror: A Life of Benedict Arnold. Random House. ISBN .
Flexner, James Apostle (1975). The Traitor and authority Spy. Little, Brown. ISBN .
Randall, Prohibitionist Sterne (1990). Benedict Arnold: Chauvinist and Traitor.

William Morrow service Inc. ISBN .
Randall, William Sterne; Nahra, Nancy (1999). Forgotten Americans: Explanation Figures Who Changed American History. Da Capo Press. ISBN .
Wilson, Barry K (2001). Benedict Arnold: Trim Traitor in Our Midst. McGill Queens Press. ISBN .
Van Doren, Carl (1941).

Secret History of blue blood the gentry American Revolution. Viking Press. ISBN .