Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-07-11

THE FAMILY OF BENEDIcT ARNoT

4
Little has been known of tine descendants of
Benedict Arnold, although he left three children
No public record ofther conduct or position exist,
and yet two of them were officers Of merit in the
British army, By fortunate circumstance, the
writer is able, in degree, to supply this dciici-
oncy, and to redeem Arnold's descendants from
the iniamy TO which his name and character were
consigned In a recent visit to England, he was
gratihed by an accidental meeting with q grandson
Of Arnold, his only living male heir. The Rev
Edward Arnold is the rector of an established
church IN Hcrttordshere some twenty miles west
OF London. He is about thrty-fye years Of age
of medium size and dark complexion, with an cX-
pressivc and benevolent face Young A. is a man
of great decision, and in his profession exhibits
much ability and energy of character He voun-
tarily made known his relationship, and while he
unhesitatingly condemned the conduct of his grind
father. he thought that some acts Of ingrattude
If not injustice, on the part Of the Government
should be allowed as extenuating circumstances
He freely conceded the great crime of treason but
he claimed there wrong on both sides An
invitation to visit his very beautiful rectory where
hospitality was most cordially extended, enabled
me 20 gather some interesting facts, which must
he peculiarly interesting to Americans. Two of
Arnold's sons died in the army, aud one of his
grandsons, brother Of the Rev. Edward A. fell
bravely fighting at the head Of his company, be-
fore Sebastopol. The eldest son reached high
rank in the East India service, where he was an
officer during nearly half century. Before his
DEATH some three years since. he received many
marks of distinction from the British Government.
Numerous tokens of high professional regard are
preserved by his nephew. Among them arc many
medals and a hundred guinea sword, splendid
testimonial for wisdom in council courage in the
field, long service, and eminent devotion to his
country. A pair of pistols used by Arnold in a
duel in London, also in the possession of his
grandson Tie felt insultcd 10y the remark Of a
V.staFls. & Il \ D
lengcd him. Arnold fired without effect but his
antagonist withheld his shot, turning his back on
Arnold with the contcmptuous remark, 81 leave
you TO the llangman.n The British Government
gave Benedict Arnold large tracts of land in Can
ada as the pecuniary reward for his treason.
Some of it was near Brockport, ON the st. Law
renee river. But a large portion of it 5000
acres) is near Toronto, between that CITY and
Lake Smcoc. This property was owned 70
long series Of years by Arnolds eldest son; but
being in the army in the East Indies he knew lit
Tic about IT, except by an occasional brief letter
IRON the Canadian agent furnished, Upon his
death some years since, it reverted to the Rev
Edward Arnold, the only living male heir, and he
began series OF inquiries about the property.
No reliable or satisfactory intelligence could be
obtained and lac feared the land was entirely val
ueless. lie was assured by the agents that much
OF the soil was poor and swampy, scarcely exceed
ing e. per in value But Mr. A was told
=
cinny OF Toronto, the property was vastly more
valuable, and he was advised TO wait further de-
yclopments. Subsequent investigations at the re-
quest of Mr.. Arnold, have discovered the land to
be among the most valuable in Canada, The
5000 acres now owned low him but formerly the
property OF Benedict Arnold, has been found To-
Gated togather in the finest agricultural region.
and in the railway Georgian Bay IN Lake Huron
to Toronto. Competent judges pronounce il
worth from $50 to $40 per acre. Thus this young
aud meritorious clergyman has suddenly been
placed IN possession of an estate valued at nearly
5000 600, which a month before, from the repre-
sensations of iaithless agents, he would gladly have
sold for $4,000. The Rev. Edward Arnold
married the daughter OF an English earl, and Ill
timately will inherit a large fortune. But his
Canadian property, now IN the hands of more
competent and faithful agents. will at once yield
him a large fortune, the practical rewards of his
grandtathes trcachery.